“Today’s China welcomes other countries to follow its “pathway to modernisation”. Mr Xi, the most powerful Chinese leader in decades, calls his one-party model efficient, equitable and dignified. In case foreigners miss his coded message—that competent government, equality and order matter more than freedoms…
American leaders have solid grounds for alarm. By its actions and words, Mr Xi’s China reveals an ambition to be so powerful by mid-century that no other country on Earth will dare to thwart or defy it. To achieve that status, China is bent on reshaping the world order from within, using its heft in such forums as the United Nations to challenge, redefine or discredit any norms and rules that might curb its rise.
During the depths of the pandemic, [this writer] was summoned to a government guesthouse for a one-on-one conversation with a senior Chinese official. Western countries talking about universal values are like colonial-era missionaries telling other countries which god to pray to, was the official’s message.
Over the past six years, Chinese leaders have become increasingly unwilling to accept foreign scrutiny of their country. Not long ago, Chinese reformers quoted foreign critics to help them push for change. Now the reformers do not dare. In Mr Xi’s China, even constructive foreign criticism is called a ploy to hold China down… In today’s China it is unpatriotic even to engage with foreign arguments about what makes for good governance, wise economic management or the rule of law.
— Our Beijing bureau chief’s valedictory dispatch/The Economist August 28, 2024
What to do about this China situation? Not huge, broad-based tariffs, which would hurt the US economy, increase global poverty, and create an anti-US backlash. Not going to war to save Taiwan, which would lead to massive fatalities, with the US losing anyway. Not relentless lecturing of China on human rights, which would continue to fall on deaf ears.
Then what? I can think of three things:
Increase legal immigration to the US, which would reduce labor shortages, grow the economy, and bolster America’s status in the world. Of course I’m talked about fully vetted immigrants and a tightly controlled immigration system that takes into account housing supply, prevailing wages, and labor conditions. I personally like Trump’s idea to give work visas to foreign students who complete college programs in the US, including two-year programs*, as one promising approach out of many. Successful immigrants would help spread the word that America has many virtues and is a great place to live.
Make the US a better place to live. America has gotten a lot of bad press over the years - deservedly so I might add - what with our foreign misadventures, high crime rates, and dysfunctional politics. We can do much better, not only for our own citizens but in terms of world opinion. Otherwise, we’re simply providing material for China’s anti-American campaign.
Double-down on human rights, but not in a hectoring way. Support the UN’s message that the protection of human rights is central to its mission. Nudge leaders throughout the world to value and improve human rights in their countries. Stay on message and avoid the appearance of hypocrisy. Help other countries implement reforms. In other words, walk the walk.
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* US labor shortages affect a broad range of occupations, many of which don’t require advanced degrees. Completing an Associates degree or a two-year vocational training program shows one likely has what it takes to succeed in America. And by ‘succeed’, I mean to achieve at least a middle-class lifestyle.