China Support: Q&A on Modern China's Myths and Realities

Introduction

China is often misunderstood in the West—viewed as a monolithic superpower or seen through a lens of misconceptions. Michael Beckley’s “China Support” series tackles FAQs from the internet, providing nuanced insights into China’s complexities. From its rise post-1949 to trade wars and geopolitical ambitions, this article summarizes key questions on China’s history, economy, leadership, and challenges.

China’s Modern History and Government

When Did Modern China Start?

Modern China’s origins trace back to 1911, when the Qing dynasty collapsed, ending imperial rule. Chaos followed: warlords fought, Japan invaded in the 1930s, and the Civil War resumed post-WWII. The Communists, led by Mao Zedong, won in 1949, founding the People’s Republic. China allied with the Soviet Union but shifted toward the U.S. in the 1970s, entering the WTO in 2001. Economic rivalry with the U.S. peaked post-2008 crisis, turning allies into competitors.

Is China Truly a Communist Country?

China’s “communism” is state-controlled capitalism. The CCP owns all land, the banking sector, and energy—90%+ of financial assets are state-influenced. Private titans like Alibaba’s Jack Ma must align with the Party. This resembles Leninist “commanding heights,” blending with Confucian hierarchy under Xi Jinping.

Economy and Development

What Can the U.S. Learn from China?

China excels in national mobilization: It leads renewables (more solar/wind than any nation), built infrastructure at scale, and forged trade ties with over 100 countries. It lifted hundreds of millions from poverty to middle-class status. The U.S. could emulate this unity, pooling resources for neglected infrastructure, education, and disparities—though China’s approach sacrifices civil rights.

World’s Manufacturing Power: Why China?

China dominates manufacturing due to design—subsidizing strategic industries (electric vehicles, semiconductors), geography (East Asia trade hub), and cheap labor from rural-to-urban migrants. However, U.S. influence persists: Apple invested $275 billion (more than the Marshall Plan) and trained 28 million workers, subsidizing its edge. Imports rely on Chinese pharmaceuticals (90% antibiotics) and rare earths, creating dependencies.

What Happened with the One-Child Policy and China’s Demographics?

Launched in 1978, it caused hundreds of millions of abortions and enforced fees for violations. Benefits: Avoided post-boom labor shortages via 10-15 workers per retiree (3x the global average). Drawbacks: Aging flips to 2:1 ratio by 2030s, losing 70 million workers while gaining 130 million elders. Fiscal strain and productivity drops loom, with rural malnutrition lowering IQs and education (eighth-grade average).

Politics and Leadership

How Powerful Is Xi Jinping?

Xi is China’s most powerful leader since Mao—president-for-life, embedded in the Constitution, with “Xi Jinping Thought” mandatory study. He purges rivals via anti-corruption campaigns but can’t oversee everything; COVID zero failed despite lockdowns due to protests. Upon death, chaos may ensue—no successor named, unlike orderly transitions.

Ukraine Controversy: Did China Support or Promote Communism Globally?

Not communism, but Belt and Road Initiatives (over $1 trillion lent to 100+ nations) build infrastructure via Chinese firms, securing markets for tech (5G, AI surveillance) exported to 80+ countries, including dictatorships. This spreads influence subtly, hooking nations on Chinese ecosystems, unlike Soviet subsidies for revolutions.

Society and Challenges

Ghost Cities and Real Estate Crisis

Over $230 billion in subsidies for electric vehicles, semiconductors, etc., built unnecessary infrastructure. Declining population creates vacancies; Xi demands frugality, but investors speculate anyway, risking.pbcollapse.

Skynet: 100s of millions of cameras use AI for facial/gait recognition. Social credit scores reduce loans/transport if you jaywalk or criticize the Party, incentivizing informants.

Censorship: How It Works

Propaganda Department sets guidelines; 50-cent army (hundreds of thousands paid to post pro-Party comments online); “Skynet” internet blocks organize dissent. Primarily targets political organizing—church groups, student unions—to prevent alternative structures that could challenge CCP monopoly, rather than individual criticism, fearing revolutions like those in Eastern Europe.

Quality of Life for the Lowest Class

Rural Chinese earn $5-10/day (half the population), vs. Mississippi’s $20-40. Malnutrition, lower education, and split families (migrants leave kids behind) worsen conditions, despite better obesity rates than U.S. poor.

Mao’s Legacy

Judged 70% right, 30% wrong: Unified China, literacy boosts, women’s work inclusion. Faults: Great Leap Forward (45 million starved), Cultural Revolution (1-2 million deaths, purges).

Tiananmen Square Massacre and Tank Man

1989 protests stemmed from inflation and economic discontent, inherently pro-democracy but exaggerated as counter-communist. Party estimates 200-300 killed; Western figures 10x higher. Repression persists to avoid Soviet-collapse fears. Tank Man disappeared; identity unknown.

Geopolitical Ambitions

Invasion of Taiwan: Motivation

Taiwan’s democracy offends CCP sovereignty claims, sits strategically in East Asia’s trade routes, and breaks China’s island chain blockade. Xi vows resolution in his lifetime; U.S. alliances boost risks.

Uyghur Repression

Genocide via camps (10-12 million Uyghurs affected since 2017); indoctrination, forced Mandarin, assimilation to prevent terrorism or separatism.

South China Sea Disputes

China claims 90% using artificial islands and a “maritime militia” to intimidate Philippines, whose EEZ claims international backing.

Headed for War with China?

Philippines heightens risks; U.S. bases there could provoke, as “kill a chicken to scare the monkey.”

Trade War Winner: U.S. or China?

China hurts exports; U.S. consumers pay more. Xi prioritizes self-reliance; both seek decoupling, fostering multipolarity.

Hong Kong Integration

Post-1997 handover, Beijing eroded “one country, two systems,” passing security laws silencing protests. Now a CCP-controlled city-state.

Inflation on Medicines and Farmland Ownership?

90% U.S. antibiotics come from China; disruptions feared. China holds 0.05% U.S. farmland, minor but strategic near bases.

Conclusion

China combines ancient legacies, state power, and global ambitions, challenging Western frameworks. From infrastructure feats to authoritarian controls, it defies stereotypes. While West learns mobilization, China’s internal fragilities (demographic shifts, surveillance overreach) hint at vulnerabilities. Beckley’s series debunks myths, offering actionable insights for understanding this superpower.

Based on transcript from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oh8mk_PJS0.