China On the Move

A series of events, from renewed anti-government protests in Hong Kong, to border disputes with India, and threats against Taiwan, transpired in China last week as its relationship with the US continues to deteriorate.

In Hong Kong, pro-democracy protests that had simmered out due to COVID-19 re-emerged after the Chinese government moved forward with legislation that critics say will infringe upon Hongkongers’ distinct liberties, such as freedom of expression and assembly. The official bill has yet to be written, but Chinese lawmakers on Thursday approved a national security resolution that bans secession, subversion, sedition, terrorism, and foreign interference against the central government and allows state-security agencies to operate in Hong Kong. In doing so, the government in Beijing bypassed Hong Kong’s own local government, which failed to pass a similar law in the past. The US responded by moving to end special relations with Hong Kong and apply sanctions against specific Chinese and Hong Kong officials.

The national security law challenges the “one country, two systems” governance that has essentially allowed Hong Kong a form of autonomy and independent governance while still remaining a part of China. The Chinese government has offered a similar proposal to Taiwan, which broke away from the mainland in 1949 after a civil war. Watching the events unfolding in Hong Kong, Taiwan’s president has refused such offers and remains committed to protecting her country’s independence and sovereignty.

Such a stance has infuriated Beijing, which has vowed repeatedly to reunify Taiwan with the mainland - ideally peacefully but through military force if necessary. On Friday, a top Chinese general reiterated such intentions as he promised to “smash” any attempts by the island to seek formal independence. He also warned of the “great and realistic threat” posed by possible collusion of pro-independence Taiwanese and foreign supporters. The US is a strong supporter of Taiwan and has suggested it may defend the island in the event of a military conflict with mainland China.

China’s controversial national security resolution was the highlight of its annual Two Sessions legislation meeting which came to a close on Thursday. In addition to the resolution, the government also agreed to increase military spending by 6.6 percent and unveiled a $853 billion stimulus package to help China’s economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, among other things.

Meanwhile along its western border in the Himalayas, India has accused China of deploying some 10,000 troops into disputed territory and establishing encampment. The supposed incursion came after Chinese and Indian troops engaged in physical confrontations along their border in early May, and India finished building a road through a disputed alley connecting to an airbase. Still, both nations have called for a diplomatic resolution even as tensions continue to rise. Both countries have long running border disputes and even engaged in a brief war in 1962.

During these events, the US also unrolled a new strategic approach for dealing with China that will focus on competition rather than engagement, as had been the traditional approach. Accusing China of exploiting and challenging international rules and systems created by the US and its allies after WWII, the strategy promises to protect American interests and values through political, economic, and military means. With the US-China relationship continuing to deteriorate, Washington’s latest strategy attempts to navigate a rapidly changing world that is challenging traditional American leadership.