{"id":9416,"date":"2013-11-26T16:01:03","date_gmt":"2013-11-26T16:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress72\/?p=24788"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:30","slug":"china-no-superpower-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2013\/11\/26\/china-no-superpower-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"China: no superpower yet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite of its rise, it\u2019s too soon to call China a global superpower, Volkskrant <\/em>journalist Fokke Obbema argued. At today\u2019s Brown Bag Lecture in the Erasmus Paviljoen, he discussed the relationship between China and the Western world.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

All over the world, economists agree that Chinese economy is rising rapidly. There are even more and more voices saying that China has taken over the United States\u2019 position as world leader. Obbema, who wrote the book \u2018China & Europe\u2019, pointed out three reasons why that conclusion is a bit rash.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Will reforms occur indeed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since taking office as president in March 2013, Xi Jinping promised a lot of reforms in China. Most notable are the abolishment of labour camps and one child policy, as well as reducing corruption and improving China\u2019s poor environmental policy. The journalist wonders if the Chinese president can live up to his promises. \u201cThis is a whole range of positive changes, but it is of course the question if Xi is able and willing to practice them all\u201d, Obbema expressed his doubts. <\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0No game breakers<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the economic field, China has the capital, manpower and ambition to surpass the United States, but so far, America doesn\u2019t have to worry about its leadership position yet. \u201cChina\u2019s economy is about two third the size of America\u2019s, and therefor it\u2019s the second largest worldwide\u201d said Obbema, who emphasized the lack of Chinese top brands. \u201cChina has no game breakers like Apple, Facebook or Google. In the top-100 enterprises, there\u2019s not a single Chinese, which is of course disappointing for such a big player on the world stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0No allies<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be a superpower, a country needs to have an array of allies. That\u2019s exactly what China lacks, is the opinion of Obbema. \u201cTheir only real ally is North-Korea, not exactly the ideal partner. Other South-East Asian countries are a bit suspicious of Chinese policy, just as Europe and the United States are.\u201d <\/p>\n

Obbema concluded by saying China doesn\u2019t always feel taken seriously by Western countries. Honest, open-minded interaction may be the key to a better relationship with China. \u201cEurope should talk with one voice, emphasizing the importance of the environment and human rights. On the other hand, it should leave its superiority feeling behind. Maybe then China and the West can truly cooperate, just like what\u2019s already happening at this university.\u201d MvS \u00a0<\/p>\n

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