China’s rising challenge

China’s rising challenge | Daily Tribune

Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s newly minted Secretary of State, has cast a critical spotlight on China, describing it as a “potent and dangerous near-peer adversary” that has risen to superpower status through questionable means.

Rubio’s stern warning that “in less than 10 years, everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether China will allow us to have it or not” captures the anxiety surrounding China’s growing influence and underscores the pressing need for a robust and strategic American response.

China’s ascent to global prominence is undeniably remarkable. From being a developing economy in the late 20th century to emerging as a global manufacturing hub and technological leader, China has leveraged its economic prowess to assert its influence worldwide.

However, Rubio’s criticism highlights a darker narrative: the accusation that China “cheated its way” to superpower status. This claim resonates with longstanding grievances over intellectual property theft, state subsidies that distort markets, and coercive trade practices that undermine fair competition. Rubio’s framing positions China as not just an economic competitor but as a systemic rival challenging the liberal democratic order.

The phrase “near-peer adversary” captures the essence of the rivalry between the United States and China. While China has yet to match the United States in military power or soft power influence, its advances in critical technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, signal its ambition to close the gap.

The Belt and Road Initiative, through which China invests heavily in infrastructure projects across Asia, Africa and Europe, exemplifies its strategy to expand its geopolitical reach. This has led to concerns that China’s growing dominance could erode the sovereignty of smaller nations and create a world where dependency on Beijing’s decisions will become the norm.

Rubio’s dire warning about America’s trajectory suggests that complacency could lead to a future dominated by China’s priorities. The idea that “everything from the blood pressure we take to what movies we get to watch” could depend on China’s will is not just rhetorical flourish.

It reflects fears that China’s control over critical supply chains — ranging from pharmaceuticals to rare earth minerals — could make the world increasingly beholden to its interests. Additionally, the influence of China’s authoritarian model on global culture, including its ability to censor or shape narratives in international media, presents a challenge to democratic values.

To address this, Rubio’s perspective implies the need for a recalibration of US policy.

First, the United States must prioritize technological innovation and secure its supply chains to reduce dependency on China. Investments in domestic manufacturing, coupled with partnerships with like-minded nations, can ensure resilience in critical industries.

Second, the US must strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counterbalance China’s influence. Initiatives like the Quad alliance — comprising the US, Japan, India and Australia — serve as a foundation for collective security and economic collaboration.

Moreover, Rubio’s warning underscores the importance of ideological competition. As China exports its model of state-led capitalism and centralized governance, the United States must champion the values of democracy, transparency, and human rights. Winning the ideological battle involves not only confronting China’s abuses but also addressing domestic challenges that undermine America’s moral authority.

In hindsight, Rubio’s portrayal of China as a “dangerous near-peer adversary” is a clarion call for vigilance and proactive engagement. The stakes are high: The choices America makes today will determine whether it remains a global leader or cedes ground to an authoritarian superpower.