Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Behind China's growing belligerence

By Arthur Thomas - posted Tuesday, 2 March 2010


State media is the guide to future events and the increasing nationalistic content, military capability and confrontational attitude to the west is not without purpose. State media is the primary medium to motivate nationalistic fervour, and crucial to preparing the population for future events such as political change, character assassination, and diverting attention away from growing socio economic problems.

While state media reports and political speeches present an image to the population of global respect for China's leadership and the nation's rising power and global influence, it also possible for ensuing external events to undermine the carefully crafted perceptions and expectations, making effective nationwide censorship crucial to success in maintaining the perception.

The foregoing reports and 60th anniversary events could suggest a leadership transition for 2012 and explain the increasing nationalistic rhetoric of potential leaders, and that in turn could imply a return to hard line authoritarian control on policymaking, and especially foreign policy.

Advertisement

China wants to continue polluting at a rate that substantially negates the benefits of emission reduction proposals of the west. The rate of China's proposed return to double-digit growth will push coal fuelled energy generation to levels that will obliterate its own carbon intensity targets.

In view of its increasing rhetoric, the CCP would lose considerable face if seen to be bowing to pressure from the west to reduce GHG emissions, and that won't happen. China's media and Beijing, proudly trumpet China's economic rise to double-digit growth and its influence on the global economy.

What if?

If that is indeed the case, then why undermine support for the technocrats who are responsible for that achievement? It is after all their ongoing expertise and achievements that can produce the wealth necessary for the CCP to achieve the goal of lifting its 800 million peasants out of poverty and continued economic growth.

On the other hand, if Beijing has been misleading both the domestic and global communities by cooking the books to hide unsustainable debt in the hope of a miracle short term global economic recovery, then China's economy could indeed be a fragile house of cards about to collapse under its debt burden, overcapacity and excess supply of commercial and housing property.

The increase in nationalistic rhetoric could in fact be preparing the population to accept the laying of blame for impending failure by the hardliners on the technocrats and a return of the old hard line regime to take over the reins and rescue the economy.

In the event of any indication of dissent, Beijing would resort to its strike hard policy with immediate and unrestrained use of military and police force with the secondary objective, to deter possible outside help. The severity of such action could push Beijing beyond the point of no return both domestically and internationally.

Advertisement

Those in the Zhongnanhai way have good reason for their growing paranoia.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. Page 4
  6. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

8 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Arthur Thomas is retired. He has extensive experience in the old Soviet, the new Russia, China, Central Asia and South East Asia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Arthur Thomas

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 8 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy