![]() In 1911 the Xinhai Revolution against the monarchy erupted, leading to a weak republic and decades of conflict highlighted by warlords and Japan’s invasion. Earlier resistance to imperial authority included the Taiping Rebellion, Nian Rebellion, Du Wenxiu Rebellion, and two Dungan Revolts. ![]() The most famous 19th century conflagration was the Boxer Rebellion, which triggered international intervention. Instability increased as the empire weakened. Today the PRC appears more threatening than threatened, but like in Russia, people remember the vulnerabilities of the past and vow never to allow them to recur.Įqually, if not more important is internal security, upon which Beijing spends more than on traditional “defense.” The evolving empire faced sporadic revolts as well as invasions. Over the last century China has been at war with Japan, Russia, Korea, Vietnam, and India. In contrast, China has land boundaries with 14 countries and several close water-bound neighbors, most importantly Japan. The last conflict with a foreign nation, which Washington initiated, was the Mexican-American War. Other than geopolitical pinpricks-the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Japan’s release of balloon bombs against the Northwest, occupation of some Aleutian Islands, and bombing of Pearl Harbor-the last war on American soil was the Civil War. America enjoys vast oceans east and west and pacific neighbors north and south. ![]() The US is perhaps the most secure nation on earth, at least when it isn’t attempting to run the world. Like most countries, Beijing is quite concerned about security. Many Chinese see the PRC’s current assertiveness as a long overdue effort to reclaim what was legitimately CHINA’s. Moreover, the weak, ever-declining empire and chaotic successor governments were unable to pursue territorial claims in nearby waters. In 1895 Japan defeated China in war and seized Taiwan. Western concessions in China spread over time in Shanghai the Bund, or waterfront, sports numerous 19th century European-style buildings which were part of the Western zone from which unauthorized Chinese were barred. The episode still rankles in modern China. In the mid-19th century, British (primarily) and French troops looted and then destroyed the Summer Palace, the ruins of which are on display in Beijing. Hong Kong ended up a British colony because it was the spoils in the two Opium Wars, basically waged by London to force Imperial China to allow the sale of opium (and make additional commercial concessions). History weighs heavily on the Chinese people and plays an integral role in this narrative. The PRC might be the immediate beneficiary of Beijing’s attempted resource grab, but the issue is rooted in the weakness of CHINA during the “Century of Humiliation” before the Communists drove out the foreign oppressors. So, too, are their territorial claims made throughout Asia-Pacific waters. The Chinese believe Taiwan is part of CHINA, not necessarily the PRC. Ethnic Chinese the world over celebrated Hong Kong’s retrocession to CHINA, not the PRC. Although the PRC is equated with China, for many people CHINA is something very different than whoever or whatever rules the mainland at any moment or another. Nationalism might be the most powerful force in the PRC today. To paraphrase Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, there is a time when the age of Western liberalism may come crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! And we do so more effectively the better we understand what we face. Nevertheless, the PRC is not an unstoppable colossus set on global domination with America doomed to eternal submission. That makes addressing its behavior more difficult. The People’s Republic of China mixes ideological, national, and practical motives. Divining its intentions is far more difficult. At least the regime’s behavior is evident to all. And Beijing will pose the greater challenge over the long term. Although Russia and Ukraine have grabbed the spotlight, before that the crisis-du-jour was China and Taiwan. America remains the world’s most powerful nation, but foreign crises appear to be a constant for the Biden administration.
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