China's Militarization - Fact or Fiction?

 The Chinese government has sworn it will rescue crewmembers from a Chinese ship captured by pirates near Somalia. A military spokesman from Taiwan recently made a statement calling China’s militarization to be beyond the needs of self-defense. One of the newspapers more heavily influenced by the government, the Global Times, frequently has its front page headlines meant to stir the nationalist spirit of its citizens.  Finally, the recent celebration of the National Holiday was a showcase for China’s military technology, with high-tech fighter planes, thousands of troops, and tanks making their way through or over the city.  What’s the deal with all this militarization?  How much of it is bluffing?  What happened to China’s “peaceful rise”?

This is my first week back in Beijing after a three week work-vacation (looming deadlines kept me working on my laptop as I traveled).  I spent two weeks in Vietnam and then a week in Xiamen, China, the city I studied abroad in three years ago. Xiamen is also the closest city to Taiwanese controlled territory, as a small island administered by Taiwan sits just a few miles away.  Perhaps because of its proximity to the rebellious island, Xiamen feels a bit different as well.  There seems to be less faith in Beijing, an understanding of the arbitrariness of politics, and a real concern for, and willingness to talk about, problems in Chinese society.  As an example, for the first time during my time in China, I heard two Chinese people talking about the Cultural Revolution; and not just talking about it, but analyzing it, drawing lessons from it.  It is something that you would never hear in Beijing.

One of my close friends in Xiamen happens to be Taiwanese; he is the boss of a café I frequented during my time studying there.  He is a delight to trade ideas with, and one idea he put forth was that the militarized National Day was not for the world at large to see China’s might, but instead for the Chinese people to see and believe in China’s might.  From his perspective, the military fanfare in Beijing, and around the world, is just that, fanfare.  He believes that China, culturally and historically, is not a country that tends to be aggressive.

Both of these opinions, about Beijing specifically as well as about China’s military culture, have been voiced before.  The Economist’s article on the National Day voiced a similar opinion and many historians have concluded that China is not a particularly militaristic culture. To me, this seems at least partially true, especially in comparison to other countries (including the United States). China’s subjugation of its Western regions, for instance, is occurring with much less violence than took place during America’s fulfillment of “Manifest Destiny”. But China has had its share of wars as well. There are periods in Chinese history, including in the 20th century, simply referred to as the “wardlord” period or the “warring kingdoms” period. Violence has been a part of China’s politics just as long as it has anywhere else.

My hypothesis is this: To the world at large, military strength is the leading indicator of a nation’s real power. For most of the past two centuries, China has lacked this kind of real power.  The use of military means to solve problems is something that has been reserved for the superpowers of the world (or those directly fighting superpowers). China is intent on becoming a superpower, so it insists on adopting all of the trappings of a superpower, including a large military. In the short term, this military is, just like my Taiwanese friend said, just for show.  It is incapable of challenging major powers but sure looks pretty when dressed up and put on display.  This is chiefly meant to prove to the Chinese people that China is stronger than it ever has been; this is all about nationalist pride. 

Strategically flawed, nationally and culturally symbolic; ring any bells?

Internationally, the symbolism of China’s military is only beginning to take hold.  An attempt to rescue the Chinese crew from pirates, for instance, would be the furthest away from China that the Chinese navy has operated in its entire history.  Granted, using it against pirates with small arms is nothing that impressive, but it is important nonetheless.  

My Taiwanese friend once described China’s military culture in this way: In the ancient times, kings would get into a big hubbub preparing for war. One king would build his army, march them to the field, and wait for the enemy. The second king, likewise, would prepare earnestly for war. But when second king’s army arrives on the battlefield, it becomes apparent that the first king’s army is much bigger. The second king, instead of engaging in a battle that he might lose, sounds the retreat. Thus ends the war. The army merely a tool to symbolize power, but never brought into play. 

Hopefully China’s modern military stays equally symbolic. It’s not like we need another super power running around invading wherever they please.  One is enough.