The Two Most Powerful Countries Today: America and China
The two most powerful countries in the world today are America and China. After World War II, America served as the guardian of the capitalist world for a long time, alongside its then main rival, the Soviet Union, in a bipolar world order. Once upon a time, the Soviet Union collapsed. Fifteen independent countries emerged in Eastern Europe. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was no single country that could compete with America. The world entered the era of a unipolar world. But in recent times, China has made so much progress in the economic and military fields that it has risen to a position where it can undermine America’s dominance. In the light of various events, the conflict between America and China is no longer a matter of hiding behind the scenes. However America’s failed campaign against Chinese spies are currently headline of Medias.
The Rise of Tension Between America and China
America and China – the two powerful countries in the world today – are constantly monitoring each other. If you have a clear idea of what the opponent is doing, it will be very helpful in planning to stop the opponent. Both countries have emphasized innovation in all fields, including economic or military. They are spending billions of dollars on various projects. America has repeatedly accused China of ‘economic espionage.’ Economic espionage is a method by which one party steals the intellectual property of the other.
Example of Economic Espionage
Suppose an American technology company has created a draft of a new model of a device. It took time and a large amount of money to create the draft. Now if a rival company of that company can get hold of the draft of that device, that company will save both time and money. This is an example of economic espionage.
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Trump’s Anti-China Stance
Former US President Donald Trump took the most anti-China stance of all previous presidents. He put America on the battlefield of a fierce economic war against China. In 2018, the US Department of Justice launched a new campaign to prevent intellectual property theft and other forms of espionage. The plan detailed the ongoing efforts of rival China to steal US secrets and economic intellectual property. This was not a campaign based on mere rumors or Sinophobia. The US Department of Justice launched such a campaign in the wake of repeated reports against Chinese espionage by trusted US intelligence agencies. FBI Director Christopher Wray said that they currently have about 2,000 cases related to Chinese espionage. In addition, one such case comes to their hands every twelve hours.
The Targeting of Chinese-Origin Individuals
Numerous students and faculty of Chinese origin are engaged in studying, teaching, and research in American universities. They were the targets of the ‘China Initiative’ established by then US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. US officials believed that China was using these individuals to steal confidential information from American businesses.
Flaws in the Operation
Although this operation was undertaken in the national interest of America, it was later found that this operation was not effective, but rather became a symbol of racial hatred against citizens of Asian descent living in America. In addition, many aspects of this operation were adopted without proper consideration, which resulted in disaster. Basically, students and teachers who could not properly mention the issue of Chinese funding or had minor errors in their documents were being accused. In other words, those who were being tried as ‘national security threats’, their main crime was that some minor errors were found in their documents or they failed to mention the issue of Chinese funding. These errors had nothing to do with national security. This operation was called into question.
Backlash Against the Campaign
This campaign against scientists, teachers, and students of Chinese origin has been met with condemnation from the beginning. Various organizations and groups that are vocal in demanding rights have started writing and discussing against this campaign. Many people say that now is a time when the number of hate crimes against Asians (especially against Chinese people) is increasing. In such a context, this campaign taken by the US Department of Justice has institutionalized the hate crimes rooted in American society. Many people have also made strong allegations that this law will inspire those involved in hate crimes. Interestingly, all of those against whom the charges were proven were involved in espionage for personal gain, and none of them were proven to be involved with the Chinese government.
Outcomes of the China Initiative
The nature of the campaign was such that charges were brought against a person of Chinese origin based on an allegation. Then the investigation would go on. In most cases, the court acquitted the accused before the trial began due to insufficient evidence. Those who were tried were eventually acquitted. Or, if convicted, they were convicted of a crime unrelated to the threat to national security. However, in a few cases, the charges were proven. For example, Harvard University professor Charles Lieber. But almost all were ultimately found innocent.
Ending the Operation
Since the operation was a failure, the US Department of Justice decided to end the operation. Everything about the operation was reconsidered for about a month. The operation was ended on February 23, 2022. By order of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Chief Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen. However, he said that the intention of starting the operation was right. But the operation went in a different direction because it was not properly conducted. Olsen also noted the damage the crackdown has done to American research and academia by creating a climate of fear among Asian-American scientists and academics. Almost all of those charged have had their charges either dismissed or proven wrong in court.
A Symbol of Sinophobia and Policy Failure
The China Initiative was an institutionalized expression of the growing Sinophobia of American government officials. The campaign was taking place at a time when polarization in America was growing, and racism was taking on a more sinister form than ever before. The campaign, part of former US President Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy against China and other countries that threatened American security, became synonymous with the Trump administration. Due to lack of proper planning, the campaign ultimately failed.
