China’s Pursuit of Dominance: Science and Technology, Research Paper Example

Over the past decades, China has continuously invested in the research and development of new technologies. Technological advancement has dictated the globe throughout the 21^st century. The research presentation will highlight the growth of China as a powerhouse within Asia and the rest of the globe. China continues to dominate the political, economic, and military sphere on a global scale. With that in mind, China remains an important player within the global environment. The connection between East Asia and the world has been advanced due to China’s growth in science and technology. Moreover, China has been on the media due to its human rights treatment. The research analysis will bring forward China’s activities from an internal and external perspective.

China and U.S. Trade

Global politics revolves around economies that are leading in science and technology. Countries considered ‘strong’ or powerful on a global scale have developed technologies that cannot be matched. Park (2020) opined that after the global recession experienced in 2008, trade policies were changed. An inward-looking approach dictated the development of trade policies across the globe. The United States and China experienced strained trade relationships. The establishment of high tariffs targeting China became common across the globe. High tariffs on Chinese goods were instituted during Donald Trump’s tenure in 2017. The relationship between the U.S and China was strained due to the trade tariffs. The U.S. established a policy that reiterated national interests over global interests. This policy continues to be replicated in the current global environment. Drezner (2019) opined that international relations between countries are significantly impacted by foreign trade. In China and the U.S., the relationship is impacted by policies within the framework of trade. Donald Trump’s tariff increment negatively impacted the relationship between China and America. Moreover, bilateral trade across different countries is dictated by the United States.

China and Japan

Zhen, Zhang, & Li (2020) opined that the education curricula established in Japan and China are somewhat similar. Cross-border higher education in the context of China and Japan focuses on both science and technology. Transnational degree programs aim to meet the needs of students within China. China and Japan connect based on language learning. Students in China can read and write the Japanese language, which has made the two countries improve their relations. Katada & Liao (2020) opined that powerful states utilize tools of economic statecraft to further their national interests. Both China and Japan use financial infrastructure to advance their national agenda across the East Asia region. Financial infrastructure can be viewed in the sense of science and technology that has advanced the economies of both Japan and China. Foreign aid remains critical to the advancement of both countries within the East Asia region. Through the China Belt and Road initiative, the regional infrastructure of East Asia has been improved. Finance policing remains at the heart of both countries. China and Japan are significant trade partners within the East Asia region. As trade partners, the two nations have managed to grow their economies over the past decades. More importantly, Japan throughout the years has been significantly impacted by China through architecture, religion, language, law, and philosophy. The previous wars between China and Japan have been pivotal in developing the relationships between the two nations. A good example is the Japanese war crimes brought to the fore at the United Nations. Apart from war, the Chinese and Japanese economies represent the second and third nominal GDP, respectively.

China and Africa

China continues to be a dominant player within the African continent in peace, infrastructure, and security cooperation. Alden et al. (2017) opined that China had played a pivotal role in the security cooperation within Africa. The linkages between China and Africa can be seen in the context of social and economic sectors. Security considerations are important in the Chinese dealing within Africa. China is actively involved in trade and economic engagement within Africa (Hodzi, 2018). The Chinese involvement in the continent dictates African politics. However, foreign direct investment does not directly lead to economic growth of the continent. Many factors are important in the growth of any country, such as governance. China has been continuously highlighted owing to its approaches to human rights. Question marks remain high on the intentions of China within Africa. China’s involvement in Africa has been crucial in the development of countries in terms of infrastructure and its involvement in Africa has been expanded over the last decade.

Moreover, China can be viewed as a new colonial hegemony across the African continent. From a critical perspective, one has to question the intention of China’s involvement within the African continent. The relationship between China and Africa remains contentious at best. Foreign relations between China and Africa have grown over the last several years. Due to the nature of the investments, China and Africa are closer now more than ever.

References

Alden, C., Alao, A., Chun, Z., & Barber, L. (2017). China and Africa: Building Peace and Security Cooperation on the Continent. Springer.

Drezner, D. W. (2019). Counter-Hegemonic Strategies in the Global Economy. Security Studies, 505 – 531.

Hodzi, O. (2018). China and Africa: Economic Growth and a Non-Transformative Political Elite. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 191 – 206.

Katada, S. N., & Liao, J. (2020). China and Japan in Pursuit of Infrastructure Investment Leadership in Asia: Competition or Convergence? Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations, 449 – 472.

Park, S. (2020). Trade Conflict Between the U.S. and China: What Are the Impacts on Chinese Economy. International Organizations Research Journal, 153 – 168.

Zhen, H., Zhang, L., & Li, M. (2020). Internationalization at Home: A Comparison of Approaches in China and Japan. Transnational Education and Curriculum Studies, 155 – 171.