Continuum of US-China Polarisation

Additional contributor: Khoi Le

The United States has always been the dominant superpower after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In spite of that, US military intervention in foreign countries has become increasingly unpopular among its own citizens, as well as foreigners. After the failure in Afghanistan, this consensus has grown even stronger. More and more Americans are against the idea of the US’ giant military spending. US president Joe Biden has recently also focused more of his actions on internal issues like the country’s infrastructure and inflation. The United States is loosening its grip on global politics.

As the US flew its soldiers out, however, China flew its diplomats into Afghanistan. Across the political spectrum, China is filling in the gaps that have been left behind or have yet to be explored by the US. Be it striking infrastructure deals with countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe for its Belt and Road initiative; exerting its military power in the South China Sea and the India-China border, and forming relationships with newly formed governments like the Taliban. China is doing a lot to increase its global influence.

This constant expansion in terms of global power is in order to appear strong in the eyes of the Chinese people. In its past, China was a target of the Western powers (and Japan as well). Not waiting for the past to repeat, China has been doing everything to appear like a superpower. In some aspects, China has succeeded in this quest and became a major opponent to the US. However, China is at risk of stretching itself too thin. The recent crisis with Evergrande has exposed one of China’s weaknesses, its real estate market.