Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Will China's rise as a global superpower be peaceful?
Position‹2 of 2

No, China's rise will not be peaceful

This position holds that China's rise as a global superpower will not be peaceful. It argues that China's authoritarianism, poor human-rights record and increasingly aggressive foreign policy — its territorial disputes and economic rivalry with the US — make conflict likely.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. China's territorial disputes and alliances
    China continues to have territorial disputes with its neighbours and military alliances with pariah states.
  2. China cannot co-exist economically with the USA
    The trade war between China and the USA is based on a realisation amongst policy officials in America that there is room for only one economic super power in the world.
  3. China is still an authoritarian state
    The authoritarian nature of China is in direct opposition to Western democracies and their values around human rights, making conflict between the two increasingly likely.