China has strategically maneuvered over the past few decades to reach a tipping point that could potentially redefine the world order. This meticulous effort culminated in a series of strategic moves that have allowed China to assert itself on the world stage, challenging the long-standing dominance of the United States.
China’s ambition to challenge the existing global hegemony became evident nearly two decades ago, in 2004, when China’s future leader Hu Jintao ventured into what was once considered the exclusive sphere of influence of the Americas: South America. Defying the Monroe Doctrine, which had prohibited foreign interference in the region, China signed security and trade agreements with 21 South American nations, signaling its intention to expand its influence far beyond its borders.
A pivotal moment occurred a decade later when Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative in 2014. This initiative, often referred to as the New Silk Road, aimed to create an extensive network of high-speed rail connections, superhighways, and modern ports spanning the globe. With investments in infrastructure, China significantly enhanced the speed of trade, concurrently bolstering its military transport capabilities.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative encompassed a vast network of ports, including 40 in South America, 100 in Africa, and stakes in five key ports in the United States: Miami, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Seattle. To solidify these alliances, China offered substantial financial assistance, providing a trillion dollars in loans to various nations.
Simultaneously, China aggressively expanded its military capabilities, boasting the world’s largest navy and ground-based rocket force. With plans to double its nuclear warhead arsenal by 2030, China signaled its preparedness to defend its newfound global interests assertively.
A significant development came in 2009 with the formation of the Axis of Evil, a tacit military alliance comprising nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. This alliance, aimed at challenging existing power structures, effectively extended China’s sphere of influence across continents.
In a bold move, Xi Jinping showcased China’s pivot away from traditional alliances when he skipped the Group of Seven summit, which included the United States, and instead attended the BRICS summit in August. The BRICS nations, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded their coalition by adding six influential members: Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Argentina, and Ethiopia. This strategic move not only bolstered China’s global influence but also positioned the BRICS as leaders of the Global South, representing 134 of the world’s least developed nations, with a staggering 85% of the global population and 39% of the world’s economic output.
Furthermore, Russia extended its influence by bringing seven African nations into its fold through the use of private military contractors. China, too, strengthened its presence in volatile regions, stationing six warships, including guided missile ships, in the Middle East. These maneuvers consolidated China’s leadership in alliances that now encompass over half the world’s population and contribute to nearly half of the world’s economic output.
China’s strategic advantage was further underscored during the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, where China, along with Russia, sided with Hamas, a proxy army of their ally Iran. This stance garnered significant global sympathy for China, potentially bolstering its efforts to assert dominance.
Xi Jinping’s endgame is clear: he aims to dethrone the United States from its position as the world’s preeminent power and establish China as the new global leader. According to reports from the National Bureau of Asian Research, Xi’s vision extends beyond geopolitical dominance; he seeks to suppress democratic values, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought indefinitely.
As China meticulously places its dominoes, the world watches with bated breath, witnessing a seismic shift in global politics that could redefine the future for generations to come.
