Perhaps the most alarming consequence of the West’s engagement with China is the CCP’s blatant disregard for human rights.
In the late 20th century, the United States and its Western allies embarked on a bold experiment: integrating China into the global economy. The hope was that economic engagement would lead to political liberalization and a more cooperative international partner. Instead, this strategy has backfired spectacularly, creating a modern-day monster that now threatens global stability.
The West’s investment in China was driven by the promise of vast markets and cheap labour. Multinational corporations flocked to China, setting up factories and forming joint ventures. This influx of foreign capital and technology fuelled China’s rapid economic growth, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and transforming the country into the world’s second-largest economy.
However, this economic miracle came at a cost. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leveraged this newfound wealth to strengthen its grip on power. Instead of liberalizing, the CCP doubled down on authoritarianism, using advanced technology to surveil and control its population. The West’s investments inadvertently funded the development of a surveillance state that is now a model for other authoritarian regimes.
With its economic might, China has become increasingly assertive on the global stage. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a prime example of how China uses economic leverage to expand its influence. Through the BRI, China has invested in infrastructure projects across Asia, Africa, and Europe, often trapping countries in debt and gaining strategic footholds.
In the South China Sea, China has built artificial islands and militarized them, flouting international law and threatening regional stability. Its aggressive stance towards Taiwan and border skirmishes with India further underscore its expansionist ambitions. The West’s initial hope that China would become a responsible global stakeholder has been dashed.
Perhaps the most alarming consequence of the West’s engagement with China is the CCP’s blatant disregard for human rights. The situation in Xinjiang, where over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are detained in re-education camps, is a stark reminder of the regime’s brutality. In Hong Kong, the imposition of the National Security Law has crushed the city’s pro-democracy movement and eroded its autonomy.
The West’s economic ties with China have often led to a reluctance to confront these abuses. Corporations and governments alike have been wary of jeopardizing lucrative business relationships, leading to a muted response to China’s human rights violations.
It is clear that the West’s strategy of economic engagement with China has failed to produce the desired outcomes. Instead of fostering a more open and cooperative China, it has empowered an authoritarian regime that poses a significant threat to global stability and human rights.
Moving forward, the US and its allies must adopt a more robust and principled approach. This includes diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on China, imposing targeted sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses, and strengthening alliances with other democracies to counter China’s influence.
Moreover, the West must support initiatives that promote human rights and democratic values globally. By standing firm on these principles, the US and its allies can help create a world where economic prosperity does not come at the expense of freedom and human dignity.
In conclusion, the West’s investment in China has indeed created a modern-day monster. It is now imperative to learn from this experience and chart a new course that prioritizes human rights, global stability, and the values that underpin democratic societies.
The Dalai Lama’s nephew, Khedroob Thondup is a geopolitical analyst.