Russia Is Not The Threat

China should be No. 1 on our foreign watchlist

By Darryl Weng

---

Russia invading Ukraine? Highly Unlikely. Even Biden, whose predictable policies and weak foreign stance persuaded antagonistic countries like China, Iran, and Russia to push his buttons, had a call with Putin to warn of consequences if Ukraine were to be invaded. Not to mention EU leaders, who forgot politics existed through accepting the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, gave similar remarks and warnings to Russia. Russia has cemented itself as a nation whose leadership is questioned by almost all Americans.

Meanwhile, China, under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party(CCP), spreads its daggers behind all the businessmen and celebrities who dare to enter China’s lucrative markets. And, yet, China’s leadership has successfully pressured many Americans to succumb to its propaganda, shutting critics safely sleeping in the U.S. Invading Hong Kong, detaining Uyghurs, and antagonizing nearby countries with increasing presence in the South China Sea, China has forcibly placed itself on the list of the world’s top terrorist countries. Only through the Trump administration was China’s threat truly understood. Trump’s decision to place military presence in the South China Sea, increase tariffs on Chinese goods, and openly criticize the CCP helped Americans understand the CCP’s heinous deeds. Although a number of American politicians, businessmen, celebrities, and athletes still avoid criticizing China, the CCP has made clear its ill intentions for the world. China starting a military conflict with Taiwan? Highly Likely.

***

Japan, one of China’s neighbors, didn’t take China’s “military exercise” too well. Firing missiles into the sea south of Taiwan and flying military aircraft over Taiwan doesn’t sit well with any country neighboring China - especially Japan. Japan recently approved the defense budget to increase spending by more than 5 trillion yen this year, in response to China’s military aggression. Although the dissolution of Taiwan brings Japan minimal economic effects, the political spheres of power would be further unbalanced. With China’s swift annexation of Hong Kong and widespread punishment to those who defy the communist regime, Japan’s response to China’s actions are far from unreasonable. It seems that Japan has reason to believe that China is to spark a dangerous conflict with Taiwan.

Of all countries, the U.S should have the same stance as Japan. China’s previous acts of aggression should be enough for the U.S to be certain of China’s intentions for Taiwan. To lose another Asian country to a communist regime would threaten U.S’s influence in the Pacific and endanger Japan’s, a well-valued U.S ally, economic and political presence in East Asia. The United States stands as a symbol of how democracy triumphs all. As such, when communist and authoritarian regimes like the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany exist, the U.S must dedicate energy to demolish such antagonistic forces. Although the 21st century does not see the extremes of 20th century regimes, we face regimes like the CCP that have equipped themselves with technology that nearly compares to that of the U.S. China already surpasses the U.S in AI integration(ironically, several notable U.S education institutions and companies have aided that effort). The AI industry still remains as the main frontier in technology, for both military and civilian uses. If the Chinese communist regime continues to weaponize their improving technology, the U.S may have to take even more extreme stances. It is vital that the U.S take action now, before China expands and becomes a major world power to reckon with - rivalling the USSR itself. The first move is to save the ultimate CCP enemy - Taiwan. Only Taiwan can claim the title of the single, most irritating foe that the CCP has longed to eradicate.