China Asserts Asia’s Autonomy in Security Management, Prompting Skepticism from Global Community

China’s recent assertions of Asia’s autonomy in security management have been met with skepticism from the global community, with experts pointing out that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) itself is jeopardizing peace in the region. This skepticism emerged following the CCP’s statements at The Boao Forum for Asia 2024, where Zhao Leji, head of the CCP’s rubber-stamp legislature, called on Asia to manage its own security to counter the United States’ efforts to strengthen alliances between liberal democracies against authoritarian governments.

However, analysts argue that it is the CCP that has been acting aggressively and jeopardizing peace in Asia, which will ultimately have a negative impact on the economic development of the region and the world. Despite this, the regime continues to tout itself as a strong force for global economic recovery, citing its efforts to deregulate domestic markets. The CCP is desperate to attract foreign investment that has been exiting China since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Zhao delivered the keynote speech at the Boao Forum, but his ranking was lower than previous years, signaling a shift in China’s global standing. The participating countries at the forum were mostly those seeking financial aid from China or who owe significant debts to the country due to their involvement in China’s Belt Road Initiative.

In his speech, Mr. Zhao promised that China would open its markets wider and reduce restrictions on foreign investment. However, foreign investors continue to hold concerns about the CCP’s anti-espionage laws and other restrictive policies. As a result, foreign direct investment in China has decreased, and many foreign companies are seeking to move their operations out of China to avoid interference from the CCP.

Despite Mr. Zhao’s promises, experts remain skeptical about China’s ability to lead the economic integration of the entire Asian region. The Chinese economy is facing significant challenges, with a weakening real estate industry and increasing local government debt. This casts doubt on China’s ability to drive economic growth in the region.

Cheng Cheng-ping, a professor at Yunlin University of Science and Technology, argues that the CCP prioritizes security over the economy, which has a detrimental impact on China’s economic development and potentially the entire Asian region. He points to the CCP’s increasing military aggression in the South China Sea and its attempts to annex Taiwan as examples of actions that endanger peace in the region.

The United States has been working to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter the CCP’s aggression. However, Mr. Cheng believes that the biggest problem in Asia right now is the risk of war, and the CCP’s actions only exacerbate this risk. He suggests that China’s focus on geopolitics and political security is a negative factor for the region’s economic growth and stability.

In conclusion, China’s assertions of Asia’s autonomy in security management have been met with skepticism from the global community. Experts argue that it is the CCP itself that is jeopardizing peace in the region, which will have negative implications for economic development. Despite promises of economic openness, foreign investors remain cautious due to concerns about the CCP’s restrictive policies. The Chinese economy is facing challenges, and the CCP’s focus on security over the economy only exacerbates these issues. Ultimately, China’s actions in the region raise concerns about the risk of war and its impact on Asia and the world.