Rise of China as a World Power; Implications on USA

Abstract

China has been currently pursuing its national interests through its global workout of economic and soft power as it projects a non-aggressive, friendly diplomacy to states in the world. China is utilizing its soft power plan to stimulate its own national interests, rather than becoming a direct challenge to the USA. The main objective of this research is to find out the actions that have been taken by China to become a world power. Specific objectives are to determine threats imposed by China on the USA and to determine how other states respond to China’s rise in the international system. As the world’s second-largest economy after the USA, China is constantly growing and widening its influence around the globe. Rise of China has influenced countries such as Japan, USA, India, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan. The research is based on qualitative and quantitative secondary data relevant to the researched topic. A world power is defined as a country that has global influence over others in cultural, technological, military and political spheres, and China is emerging as a strong contender for the position. China being a member of the United Nations Security Council and member of many other recognized international organizations has achieved its global status as a great power. USA is afraid about its powerful position in the international system due to this rise of China and USA is trying their best to balance the power of China either by soft power or hard power. The rapid growth of China’s GDP has raised questions, especially in the United States – about how China might use that power. The Chinese elite is very sensitive to and keen on the pursuit of international status for their nation. The strong Chinese interest in international status comes from a combination of cultural, historical, social and contemporary political sources. Escalating political tension between the USA and China leads many to wonder “Is China the next Superpower? As the findings of this research, there are many implications of China’s rise on the USA based on its national interests in political, economic and military spheres. These implications impact on the USA either positively or negatively. The USA has implemented an engagement policy to counter China’s rise based on ‘peaceful development’. Strategies used by the USA to counter China’s rise is much important for future relations between two nations and their stature in the international system.