West underestimates China, Russia

Doubts about the reality of China and Russia’s rise abound in European and US media. Despite a brief dip at the end of the 20th century, Russia has traversed several halcyon periods in history, such as the era of Peter the Great, the era of Ekaterina and the Soviet era. Since becoming president in 2000, Vladimir Putin has always made it a ruling goal to realize rejuvenation of the Russian nation. In 2017, Russia’s GDP and foreign exchange reserves were more than eight and 36 times the figures in 1999, respectively.

Russian society has remained essentially stable for the past 18 years, unperturbed by major financial or political crises, ethnic conflicts or mass shootings. Russia’s world-leading military and diplomatic influence have located it at the center of almost all major global events. Its influence was enhanced by the 2014 Sochi Olympics and 2018 FIFA World Cup. However, while European and US media might trumpet Russia’s impending downfall, China is convinced that its evident development over the past 18 years has set the country on a course of national rejuvenation.

Crucially, and more so than either Europe or the US, China respects Russia as a natural power. The world’s largest country by land mass, Russia abounds with natural resources, including forests, natural gas, fresh water, coal and iron. Owing to this superiority, Russia has become a natural power. More specifically, many Chinese still profess a nostalgic attachment to the Soviet “Big Brother,” and have been grateful for Russian assistance since World War II.

Media and public opinion in Europe and the US have a curious habit of misjudging China, with the “China threat” and “China collapse” theories periodic favorites. What they seem to forget or discount is the fact that China, a natural power in its own right, has the world’s largest population, second-largest economy and third-largest land mass. After four decades of reform and opening-up, China has become the world’s largest trade country, e-commerce country, consumer market and a most promising global power.

If Europe and the US truly believed in China and Russia’s rise, and that the two are irreversibly set on the path of national rejuvenation, their lack of understanding and respect should decrease substantially.