Xinhua, the Chinese official media, admitted that Chinese president Xi had planned the LAC standoff with India. The standoff might have been engineered to ward off an internal power struggle and consolidate Xi’s power. China’s provocations at India’s eastern and northern borders and on south China seas with Taiwan further alienates China. The West no more ignores China’s human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uighur region and Tibet, most hurrying to explore alternative manufacturing facilities worldwide.
It is no secret that China has been flexing its muscles and seeking greater world leadership, particularly after the defeat of Trump and the abrupt withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Xi has further consolidated his power over the Chinese Communist Party and the State. A third of the Belt and Road initiative is lagging behind schedule, and the present cost overruns could be $6.5 Bn and could rise further. It could lead many nations into a debt trap and might induce withdrawals from the project.
Xi has imprisoned many of his political and apolitical critics. The arrest and disappearance for six months of realty mogul Ren Zhiqiang, a Xi’s critic, speaks the ruthlessness of Xi. Ren’s trial was conducted and concluded just in one day, and he was sentenced to 18 years in jail.
Jack Ma, too, had suffered when he braved to question Xi’s policies. His ambitious IPO was cancelled, and his wealth tumbled by half to $ 700 Bn. His company Ant was carved and Ma’s wealth and control further diminished by the State. Hupan University, a top educational institution set up by Ma, was closed down. The message was loud and clear. The $1.326 Trillion wealth of Ma’s companies was State’s, and Xi alone could decide the fate of Ma and all others.
Xi has tried to make sweeping structural changes in the realty sector to avoid any long-term risks and has cracked down heavily on the realty companies. As a result, China is facing an unprecedented collapse of the over-leveraged realty sector failing in its debt-repayments, which could seriously impact the world economy in a contagion effect. Evergrande alone could default $300Bn. Chinese realty contributes 29% of its GDP. Xi’s attempts at reduction of carbon emission have not won friends from the industry either, which has shown a steep decline in production.
Corruption is rampant in China. In 2019, and investigated 555,000 corruption. 485,000 people within CCP and government ranks faced disciplinary action. More than 800 party members and government functionaries have fled China.
The latest political purge in China began in 2017, and potential threats are arrested on corruption charges and bundled into prisons, often with maximum terms of 18 years. The famous top political prisoners include Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Sun Zhengcai, former presidential aide Ling Jihua, late army general Xu Caihou, and former top military officer Guo Boxiong. The intense power struggle in China is unmissable.
Contrary to belief, Chinese people, in the past, have risen in revolt against oppressive regimes. The 1989 Tiananmen protests against reforms involving part-privatization of agriculture and industry left 2700-3400 dead. The recent uprising in Hong Kong against extradition law paralyzing the islands are pointers. Though only three died in HK protests, 10,250 arrests were made,
In the midst of these, China is aggressive in taking back Taiwan. The QUAD and ASUS, India’s strong response in Doklam has unnerved China. A smaller nation Sri Lanka has dared to refuse a defective fertilizer consignment of 96000 tons with microbes. China responded by suspending Srilanka People’s Bank’s operation in China. These are symbolic of the cracks within China and the CCP.
The Chinese Western Commanders are repeatedly replaced in apparent confusion. Gen Wang Haijiang is the fourth general to take charge ever since the Ladakh faceoff with India, which began in May 2020. Pentagon has warned that China is reorganizing in Arunachal and Ladakh in apparent preparation for war and that it is increasing its nuclear warheads from the present 700 to 1000 by 2030. China must annex Taiwan and Arunachal Pradesh to restore its credentials as a super-power and could act soon in that direction.
I can say India is not sleeping for those politicians and media who love to take a dig at India.
Jai Hind!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
In Pic: Agni missile
