The 73rd National Day of China on 1 October brings a reflection on the country’s worldwide purpose. Its comeback to global primacy by 2049 will hinge on two indicators. Firstly, is Beijing fully equipped both in hard and soft power to dislodge America and capably execute the necessary obligations? Secondly, will the other global players be accepting of a Chinese-led order? 

It’s insufficient for China to just frame the US or the West as a threat based on the actions of the West in provoking wars. It must achieve real resonance with other players in order to get them to support a major global shift towards an alternative Chinese order. 

If China chooses a low-key approach and avoids antagonising others, coupled with adopting a gradual transition to openness and democracy, the returns and impact on its rejuvenation will be much quicker, minus the costs of conflicts and wars and resources poured into defensive measures. 

However, both Beijing and Moscow continue to stick to their confrontational approach, inviting higher countermeasures from others out of fear and anxiety. 

Playing the victim card and blaming the West are unconvincing manoeuvres. It would be better to lead the voices of the developing world in standing up to the established Western-led rich and developed states as the basis of unfairness and unequal wealth distribution across the spectrum. 

Allies and partners can be won easily through sharing a common enemy. True friendships are harder, with the need to win global hearts and minds with trust, track record, sincerity, and staying power.

Unless China drastically increases its power projection and capacities to capably challenge America’s power structure right to its doorstep, it will remain secondary to Washington’s military supremacy and dominance for the next century at least.   

In the end, the big question is: Will China be willing to stand up for a broader global cause and not just a Chinese cause? Is Beijing prepared to assume obligations that supersede its core national interests and the demands of the Chinese people?  

Does it have the mandate of its own people to execute a task that is predominantly different from what they are used to? It remains to be seen.

*Collins Chong reads The Malaysian Insight.  

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.