Think of a land with no Gods, and you do not suffer religious trauma. Think of a country with one political party and, importantly, no opposition, and everything is smooth as the gobbling of a Blackstar. Think of a nation with deep pockets that can dictate governance policies in many countries. Think of a country with the largest military might that can vaporize most countries before the next sun rises. Think of a leader in such a country who has tweaked the constitution to get anointed as its president for a record third term.
The country is China, and the leader is Xi Jinping. Today the two-term President of China is being elected by the vast congregation of the CPC delegates for one more term, which may extend to one more, and one more until the law of nature prevails, and he breathes his last. Xi has ensured that he has little opposition within the Communist party and has taken his adversaries out, some on corruption charges.
The Chinese threat to global order has been felt in the last decade as Xi assumed the presidency. China financed cash-starved countries all over Asia, Africa and Latin America, buying critical natural resources and rare minerals and setting up military installations. Xi has created a huge and robust infrastructure to support manufacturing industries to become the ‘factory of the West. China’s growth as the manufacturing hub of the world is irreplaceable soon.
Rattled by the Chinese growth and free from the burden of Afghanistan engagement, the U.S. formed QUAD with Australia, Japan and India. India is the only country having a land border with China in the Northeast and the North. The borders have witnessed severe clashes with causalities on both sides, which are grossly underreported. With an iron hand, Xi has tamed rebellious Hong Kong and would now turn to Taiwan, encouraged by the scary West to directly engage in a war with Russia in Ukraine. Taiwan straits could become the hottest place on earth, with all ingredients for developing into a WWIII.
The ’Zero-Covid’ policy, implemented over the last couple of months, kept millions confined under virtual house arrest. The move might have been a rehearsal to keep the feeble political opponents out of sight during the mighty show, the CPC congress.
Modi-ruled India is another focal point for Xi, as Xi believes that of the QUAD members, Modi could be the only one daring to look into Xi’s eyes and challenge the latter’s hegemony and might. Playing the clip of clashes between the PLA troops and the Indian soldiers at Galwan at the CPC Congress reveals the pride of Chinese President Xi making a loud statement, much to the cheer and applause of the members. Qi Fabao, a PLA regiment commander, fighting in the Galwan clash with India, was a torchbearer at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay and was present as a member of the Congress, by which Xi made a defiant and hawkish statement against any peace overtures by India.
India’s neighbours, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal, greatly lean towards China. Though PM Modi and Sheik Hasina share a good rapport, we will be lucky if the Islamic country chooses to remain neutral during an India-China conflict. India may have to fight its war with China alone. However, I pray for peace between our two hugely populated countries to find ways for sustainable and peaceful co-existence.
Jai Hind.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
