Quora Answer: Should the World Stand Up to China?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Should the world stand up to China?”

What are we standing up for?  We have to understand that different nations have different sets of bilateral issues with China.  There is no real unifying issue for every country.

Within the context of the cross-Strait relations, no country wants to be drawn into a war between China and Taiwan.  It will disrupt trade in the South China and East China Seas.  Not even China wants that conflict, even though their stated position is that they will invade if Taiwan declares independence.  This is a threat they cannot actually carry out due to logistical limitations on their military.  Taiwan cannot afford to declare independence because far too much of their GDP is dependent on China.

Within the context of North Korea, the countries of Northeast Asia are in a stand-off.  No one wants a North Korean collapse because the cost of integrating millions of refugees, and an ossified economy into a unified Korea would tank the economies of the region.  China cannot afford millions of refugees across the Yalu River.  The US needs an excuse to be there for other geopolitical reasons.  Japan needs South Korea facing North Korea, because a united Korea is not likely to be an ally.

Within the context of the South China Sea, despite China’s claims, they do not yet have an effective means of enforcing all of it.  None of the other countries can.

Within the context of South Asia, China needs Pakistan as a counterweight to India.  India needs a bogeyman.  The US and Russia need buyers for their military industrial complex.

Within the context of international trade, it benefits everyone to have China integrated into the international trade network.  A country that large cannot be discounted.  A middle class the size of continental populations cannot be ignored.

Within the context of OBOR, China needs to find a means to manage their currency float, and debt.  They are building future customers and creating jobs for millions of Chinese entering the workforce every year.  If they cannot keep the economic promises they made, there will be unrest.  Nobody wants that.

There is nothing to stand up to China about.  They have their own geopolitical issues to be managed, just like any other nation. It is better to have them as a partner than an adversary.