Rising China & the World: The Story of the Ten Suns

China is the one of the Oldest Civilizations in the world, which flourished under several Dynasties controlling varying proportions of landmasses at different times. In fact, at one point it was known as the middle kingdom, believing itself to have been at the Center of the Earth surrounded by Barbarians. Cut to the 21st century, under the policies of the Communist leadership, under the Leadership of Mao at the helm who after initial steps towards stabilizing the new Regime took pragmatic steps under Deng Xiaoping to develop the economy, and without any doubt, People's Republic of China (PRC) has come up as a world power in all spheres.

 Coming, to the mythological story. there were 10 suns according to mythology in china who resided in a Mulberry Tree and took turns to grace the Sky, one day all the suns appeared together in the sky & the 'Lord Archer', Hou Yi the immortal slayer of mystical beasts shot down all suns except One. The current Chinese world view is something on those lines, it wants to be the Only sun shining, in the World order by its Economic, Political & Military might. while the world is slowly accepting a new world order of Multiple Power centers based on constructive Participation rather than conflict among the powers, overtly and covertly China harbors ambitions to become the World Leader. We shall Touch Upon all the major components briefly.

The Ocean

China has based its power doctrine on the basis of  'Century of Humiliation' theory based on alleged 'Unequal Treaties' forced on it by Imperial  Powers including UK, USA, European Powers & Imperial Japan right from 'Treaty of Nanking' which concluded the 1st Opium War & forced china to cede 'Hong Kong' among many concessions to the 'Shimla Convention' on Tibet and the now in news 'McMahon Line' with British India. Trumping up nationalism on this premise PRC has invested heavily in its Military and is a Nuclear power and is now ramping up its Navy as well to be a true 'blue water navy'with multiple Aircraft Carriers. 

Coming to the Major expression of China's military Power, it is the South China Sea based on an Imaginary '9 Dash Line' marked in red above, which blatantly allows china to bully majority of the ASEAN countries and claim the whole of China Sea. In a Clear violation of UNCLOS  which is the UN norm for Law of the Sea, which defines the Exclusive Economic Zone till 200 nautical miles from last parcel of land. China has also engaged in armed conflict with Vietnam over Paracel and spartly Islands claiming every island, atoll in it. In mischief reef, originally claimed by the Philippines, it has constructed a Artificial island with air defense and holds on to it despite Philippines winning the Arbitration on South China Sea in the International Court based on UNCLOS . its latest act of aggression being sinking a Vietnamese vessel. The Plain logic behind its ambitions is to control the South China Sea through which 1/3rd of trade volume of the world passes annually worth 3 billion $ apart from the large reserves of oil & gas present under the sea. In one Theater it has engaged Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei & Indonesia all in the conflict solely on basis of its naval might.
            Apart from South China Sea, it has made strategic Investments in Ports & Island infrastructure in and around the Indian Zone of Influence like gwadar port in Pakistan which will link to the proposed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Hambantota port in Srilanka and assets in Bangladesh, Myanmar & Maldives with a now well known doctrine known as 'Pearl of Strings' to surround India.

Land Disputes

Surprisingly for Its large Number of neighbors, China has an active Non finalized land boundary with only India & Bhutan. The Sino Indian Border dispute is a result of the Armed invasion of Tibet which acted as a buffer between Russian & British Empires during the Imperial era and India and PRC post independence which changed overnight after 1950 which led to the 1962 war which left a deep scar in the Psyche of the Young nation. Things have however been better and no bullets have been exchanged since 1967. however with the Economic Ascent of India and its rise in military might & confidence after successful wars of 1965, 1971 and 1999 fought against Pakistan, china has always tried its best to keep India on its toes. its all weather friendship with Pakistan which it goes to great lengths to maintain, at the cost of India and the Border Skirmishes along the LAC. The Doklam Stand off on the Bhutanese Soil was one such Instance where India looked the Dragon in the eye and the situation deescalated after 73 days, while the 2020 skirmishes along Pangong So & Galwan Valley is an instance in progress which we will deal in another article. The Idea is china is not prepared to let the Dragon dance with the Elephant in tandem. it wants to be the Lone sun in the Asian Century, as they call it.

The Economic Pied Piper

China has also leveraged its Soft power with Economic Loans, Lines of Credit & Infrastructural Deals with countries primarily in Africa. The Initiatives likes Belt & Road Initiative under which China plans to connect Asia with Africa & Europe via Road & Maritime networks along 6 corridors is one such initiative. apart from the CPEC which reactivates the Karakorum road. The truth is Pakistan is in a one sided Skewed Trade equation with China and is surrendering even strategic Independence due to the fact. the CPEC construction is being undertaken is also marred by reports of rampant Corruption.
                                                                            in Africa as we speak, Angola, Zambia, Sudan & Republic of Congo are seeking relief in loans to fight the COVID19 pandemic but are now trapped in Debt Trap Diplomacy. focusing specifically on Angola, which has 43 billion $ worth of Debt to china from the total 143 billion $ in Africa, it pays through oil by exporting almost 2/3rd of its production obviously on favorable terms. today, due to dropped oil prices, Angola is caught between fighting the Pandemic effectively and preventing itself from getting into a debt trap. China claims to be the Savior of Africa Investing heavily in its future when all other world powers are looking Inwards, but it is just another form of Economic Colonialism.


In its now Public Global fight against USA with a intention to play a hegemonic role in the New World Order, China is holding back no punches. with expertise in Cyber warfare and Psy Ops even on platforms like twitter which is banned for public in PRC, it will only challenge the existing Powers and try to dominate all other Rising powers along with Weak States. we must turn to one of the Chinese Leaders for Advice :

The time has come now for all affected Countries to Unite, Just like they did in WHO to demand a impartial probe into the origin of the COVID19 virus in Wuhan. The ASEAN countries should unite to protect Sovereign Rights in the South China Sea. India should engage in more strategic Partnerships like the Quad+ and proposed D10 and likewise to stand up to the Rising China State which believes in shooting down all Suns in its Quest to be the Lone Sun around which all the Countries Revolve.