With his term extended for an historic additional five years, Xi Jinping may be feeling invincible and strong. But he must know that nothing is permanent.
– By Dr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya for Japan Forward
It has been over three years since a coronavirus from the Chinese city of Wuhan invaded the world, plunging us all into one of history’s worst extended crises and viral pandemics. The international community has struggled with COVID-19 and its variants with masks and sanitizers all these years. However, the year 2023 ushered in exposing the failure of Xi Jinping and his ill-conceived zero-COVID policy. People revolted, and the world saw China inundated with the coronavirus tsunami.
Even today, we see no respite from the virus. Currently, nearly 6.75 million have died. And the virus is still lurking around, with 23.3 million current cases in different variants (nearly 675 million cases in different variants from the outset).
China suppressed information, maintained a supercilious attitude, and pretended to be clean and ahead of others.
This paper examines China, the COVID pandemic, what the 3rd term of Xi Jinping augurs, and the Taiwan issue.
It looks at why, despite the country’s deteriorating situation, is China flexing its muscle around antagonizing the pacifist neighbors in the Indo-Pacific regions. And how Japan and the international community should work together to deter the threats and dangers that China portends.
Will military alliances and acquisition of counterstrike capability be enough to keep the aggressors at bay? Click here to read more.