As China’s stature in global politics has risen over the past decade, Western questions have emerged, such as: Will the future belong to China? How can we prevent it from harming Western democratic powers? Some Western elites even advocate for a new Cold War against China. Conversely, some elites in China have adopted a more aggressive stance toward the West, particularly the United States.
Amid mutual misunderstandings between the West and China, author David Daokui Li, in his book China’s World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict, seeks to examine Western fears regarding China’s ascent and explore the differences between the two sides, which center around the ideological and intellectual discord between them. This discord makes it difficult for Western elites to understand Chinese ideology. Additionally, China’s massive population raises concerns in the West, particularly regarding the possibility of China growing faster and securing the position of the world’s largest economy, which adds to the tension as Western powers, including the United States, face challenging political and economic circumstances. Thus, the book aims to foster understanding between China and the West by delving into China’s internal dynamics and how the world can benefit from Beijing’s rise.
Understanding China from Within
Understanding the current governance system in China requires an examination of the role of the ruling Communist Party, which engaged in military conflicts before assuming power and utilized pragmatism and adaptability to win and maintain its authority. In this regard, the party fundamentally differs from the communist parties in Eastern Europe and Russia (the former Soviet Union). Furthermore, the party is well-organized and managed, benefiting from China’s long-standing political history that spans thousands of years.
The author explains how the central government operates in China, focusing on the Communist Party’s role in coordinating various governmental and semi-governmental agencies, thus forming an advanced system of social and political governance.
He also discusses how Chinese local governments differ from their Western counterparts in three main aspects: (1) Local Chinese government officials possess a much broader scope of operations and powers compared to their Western peers; (2) These officials function as executives for the local economy; and (3) Local Chinese officials need to interact closely with higher-level officials, competing with their counterparts for promotions determined by these senior authorities.
On another note, corruption is a significant social issue in China. In daily life—such as customs clearance at borders, traffic police inspections, and passport applications—corruption has largely been eradicated. According to the author, relevant officials are subjected to stringent oversight.
As for the Chinese economic system, government intervention is fundamental to many economic aspects, which Westerners often consider a major flaw. However, if this were indeed a flaw, the author argues, the Chinese economy would not have been able to grow so rapidly and sustainably. Moreover, China has successfully avoided financial crises over the past four decades through rapid growth, which coincided with periods of rapid economic expansion in the United States, Japan, Germany, and Korea.
Most state enterprises operate and compete in the market like private companies, and state institutions are undergoing continuous reforms, transitioning into modern companies similar to IBM or Bosch, rather than maintaining direct control over state institutions. The Chinese government generally retains stakes in various companies. Private enterprises form the most dynamic forces behind China’s economic growth, contributing over 75% of the country’s economic output and providing nearly 90% of non-government jobs. For this reason, understanding how private companies operate, along with their founders and Chinese entrepreneurs, is essential.
In the education sector, examinations are central to the Chinese education system, exacerbating anxiety among students and parents. While significant reforms in the education system are likely, it is expected that the system will continue to produce a vast pool of skilled labor with high discipline. At the same time, attracting or cultivating creative talent from abroad will require international collaboration in this sector.
The author also highlights two intriguing characteristics of the Chinese internet and media that go beyond the phenomenon of known strict government censorship. One is that their internal structure is much more open than their external layers, and the other is the increasing pressure for greater openness. Significant reforms are expected to ease censorship in Chinese internet and media.
As China’s wealth grows, so does the population’s concern for the environment. Additionally, the Chinese leadership has identified environmental protection as a top priority, not only to gain popularity among local populations but also to demonstrate its ability to govern effectively to the world. The centralized governance system in China grants it unique effectiveness in addressing this issue.
Regarding population dynamics, the author lists several potential reasons for China’s large population, as discussed in his examination of China’s internal situation. However, at the onset of the reform and opening-up era, the one-child policy was implemented, which reduced global population growth by as much as 300 million. This policy was gradually phased out by 2020.
In his analysis of China’s internal landscape, the author concludes that the country’s leaders draw inspiration from history when making crucial decisions, considering how history will judge them, which influences their choices. He also notes that most Chinese citizens recognize the United States as the most powerful and dominant country in the world. In contrast, many Chinese believe it is crucial to resist any efforts led by the United States to contain China.
Benefiting from the Rise of China
David Daokui then raises several questions that reveal the world’s perspective on China, including: Is China’s rise a massive bubble destined to burst, similar to what happened with the Soviet Union and Japan? He argues that China is different from the former Soviet Union and Japan and is highly likely to continue its ascent due to its market economy. Additionally, the average income level in China still represents about 20% of the average income in the United States, and the Chinese political system enjoys popular support.
The next question posed by the author is whether China follows its own model of social and political governance. Is there a Chinese model? Does it differ from the West? Is it likely that China’s power and influence will continue to rise? Here, the author notes that many Chinese researchers are reluctant to discuss such questions, feeling that many issues remain unresolved. Even if there is a Chinese model, it is unlikely that Beijing will categorize and export it to the rest of the world, as Chinese leaders are well aware that cultural and historical environments render such an endeavor impossible.
While it may be premature to claim that China has established a Chinese model of social and political governance, notable characteristics of Chinese governance do exist, including a government that assumes full responsibility, internal discipline within a dominant party, and diplomacy focused on respect. Before exporting its model, China must first address its internal issues effectively while striving to maintain cooperation with the United States, holding a firm stance on issues of vital importance to China, such as the Taiwan issue and technological advancement.
Finally, the author questions whether China’s rise will be beneficial or detrimental to the rest of the world, including the West. He argues that the rise of China will be advantageous for ordinary people across the globe, asserting that this ascent will not lead to a Cold or hot war between China and the United States, despite many researchers predicting or even arguing for such a conflict.
The author’s central argument here is that China has not followed the path of a rising Western power; thus, expecting a Sino-American war based on Western history is not applicable. Moreover, China’s rise will provide new economic opportunities for much of the world’s population and will yield more global public goods, such as faster advancements in science and technology, space exploration, peacekeeping in war-torn regions, and more effective climate change mitigation. Additionally, China’s rise will increase competitive pressure, prompting many countries, including the United States, to invest more in science, technology, and education, which will ultimately benefit those nations.
Source:
David Daokui Li, China’s World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict, Norton & Company, 2024.
