Two of the most important conclusions from the Quad security dialogue on October 6 were that the US confrontation with China over Taiwan has the potential for a serious escalation and that Washington blames Beijing not only for the global pandemic but also for the economic impact on the US economy on the eve of the presidential election.
While India is legitimately concerned about the ongoing military showdown with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh, the other three Quadruple powers were far more concerned about China’s warlike moves against Taiwan. With the super carriers and destroyers of the United States Navy patrolling the South China Sea, there is serious military friction over Beijing’s harassment of Taiwan.
Indo-American dialogue and Indo-Pacific diplomatic remarks indicate that Beijing’s “One China” mantra may be questioned if US President Donald Trump returns to power, although Biden’s campaign has signaled that he will also take the hard line. with China. Legislation introduced at the Capitol on Tibet and Xinjiang, and military movements on Taiwan and the South China Sea are clear indicators that Washington could impose the “One China” policy, although some experts believe the Trump administration is also applying the Squeeze to China in the hope that a possible international incident could help the incumbent president in an election in which he is behind his opponent.
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While China wants the world to recognize the “One China” policy as a matter of its right, it clearly does not respect the sovereignty of others, including India, Japan (Senkaku Islands) and Russia (Vladivostok). China does not recognize Ladakh, but wants India to recognize its occupation of Tibet, Xinjiang and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. And, of course, he can always be self-righteous about Jammu and Kashmir, even more so when politically desperate Valley politicians are seemingly asking Beijing to intercede on their behalf.
China’s observers in New Delhi believe that the PLA aggression in Ladakh is directly related to the security of the CPEC in PoK and northern areas. The PLA has made a case that the new map of Ladakh released after the repeal of article 370 on August 5, 2019 indicates that India will put pressure on CPEC in Gilgit-Baltistan. This is also the reason why Beijing convinced Pakistan to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as the fifth province, even though this compromised Rawalpindi’s decades-old Kashmir agenda.
Underground, Beijing has involved both Nepal and Pakistan in repealing India’s Buddhist cultural bulletin by highlighting the birthplace of Prince Siddharth (in Nepal) and the prominent Gandhara school that flourished (in Pakistan) before he Islam will destroy Af. -Pak region. So what if Siddharth became Gautama Buddha at Bodh Gaya in the heart of Bihar?
The world of Buddhism will be further complicated by China in the coming years with the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama. While the exiled leader remains popular with a Buddhist temple dedicated to him being built in Tuva in Russian Siberia, Beijing’s Sinicization of Tibet will put serious pressure on the Dalai Lama’s own institution for years to come.
However, Beijing is less concerned with global statements. Its expansion plans have gained momentum after a weak global response to the introduction of security laws by Beijing in Hong Kong and the almost complete silence of ASEAN countries on the events in Taiwan and the South China Sea due to to the enormous economic influence of the Middle Kingdom. Beijing has refused to take part in the arms control negotiations despite the rapidly growing nuclear arsenal and distribution platforms. The PLA’s offensive cyber capabilities now match the best in the world, but it has no intention of joining the proposed US-Russia cyber talks.
The time has come to call China for the global bully it is before it becomes the hegemon it wants to be.
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