While the influence of the US declines, China’s place in world seems to be rising. The Chinese economy is still nowhere near as powerful as the US, but it’s competing voraciously for international markets, investment, and political influence.

With world capitalism slowing down, international tensions over profit and power are escalating. The trade wars between these two largest powers could well break out again. Is a new Cold War, or even direct military conflict, also a possibility?

And what exactly is the Chinese regime? Its dictatorial government claims the country is socialist - so why are there billionaires, and why do so many workers suffer poverty pay and appalling conditions?

External conflicts with competing nation-states. Internal conflicts with Hong Kong and oppressed national groups. And trillions of dollars of loans and capitalist investments in smaller countries around the globe.

This episode of Socialism looks at national and international turmoil and contradictions: China’s new role.

Further reading

Trump’s insults fuel China rivalry: https://www.socialistworld.net/2020/05/08/china-trumps-insults-fuel-rivalry/

Coronavirus crisis shakes Chinese regime: https://www.socialistworld.net/2020/02/19/china-coronavirus-crisis-shakes-regime/

70th anniversary of People’s Republic of China – Mao and the Chinese revolution: https://www.socialistworld.net/2019/10/01/70th-anniversary-of-peoples-republic-of-china-mao-and-the-chinese-revolution/

China after the 1949 revolution - the benefits of the planned economy stifled by bureaucracy: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/29730/16-10-2019/china-after-the-1949-revolution-the-benefits-of-the-planned-economy-stifled-by-bureaucracy

China’s hybrid economy (2008): http://socialismtoday.org/archive/122/hybrid.html

Market rule or party rule? (2011): http://socialismtoday.org/archive/154/china.html