Whether in the U.S. or in the Orient, the media treat China as an aggressive bully. There are various reasons for this, but I suspect an especially catalytic spur is that the military-industrial complex feeds juicy stories to be regularly planted just to maximize overall defense expenditures.
Subsequently, China actually feels threatened. However, China will not for a long time to come, and probably never, match the military power of the USA. The latest data show that the U.S. spends seven times more on defense than China, and on a $/capita basis, the ratio is 30:1.
It thus occurred to me that I had my focus all wrong on how to engender world peace. My very first HuffPo provided, I think, a neat solution to peace, forever. Entitled, Well, Barack, We Have a Problem, I advised him to take just one monumental step to create his legacy. Well, I was ignored by my president, but our government is broken anyway, as lobbyists now control Congress and the White House. That so-called Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) is, indeed, formidable. Listen to a speech by President Dwight Eisenhower almost exactly half a century ago. He was so right.
Well, the MIC in China is their ruling government, so, if there is no possibility of ever conquering the USA by force, why bother? A smarter policy would be to significantly minimize defense expenditures, and focus spending on economic development and environmental remediation.
Applying the above logic, China can instead now begin their next long march, but this time for Planet Earth and Humanity. To begin, President Hu Jintao: about your country's response to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo's award, the initial gut reaction of anger and condemnation was, unfortunately, expected. Now that you have withdrawn into an almost eerie silence, this is a good time to think about what could be China's ultimate place in society. Why not become a Nation of Peace and Prosperity? You're doing amazingly well on the second part, but can take that first step towards peace with just one awesome announcement:
We acted immaturely when first learning of Professor (he taught at Beijing Normal University) Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Prize award. After considerable soul-searching, in consideration of where our country wants to be in the future, a unanimous decision was reached to thank the Nobel Prize Committee and congratulate Professor Liu of this most distinguished honor. He is hereby released from custody and is completely free to travel throughout the country and world. We have been accused of various human rights actions, and will review these cases as necessary, overturning those we feel are justified.
Now, about global climate warming and your policy of releasing green pronouncements, while carefully insuring that the Tianjin discussion and follow-up Cancun protocol permit you wide discretion in saying what you want without being forced to take any significant remediable action: you have a golden opportunity to one-up America. Our U.S. Congress is the Great Wall against the Carbon Tax. Yes, Republicans listen to corporate leaders (they provide campaign funds), but that core of Democrats from fossil fuel states is why no decisions will be made until it is too late. All you need to do is, in step #2, say:
Global climate change is real and we are responsible. China is the number one emitter of carbon dioxide, and with the United States, we together are responsible for more than 40% of all the emissions. Our economy remains developmental, and we will continue to seek certain concessions, but agree that global action must be taken, and we pledge to actively participate in what is reasonable for the health of Planet Earth.
That's it! You don't need to agree to a specific reduction at this time. The key is to proceed with good attitude and gain a decade more of catch-up. Why this will work is that the U.S. will continue to fumble, for, during this era of economic turmoil, no one wants to sacrifice much just for the sake of almost immeasurable sea level rise and a small fraction of temperature increase only discernible by scientists. Plus, the disinformation specialists subsidized by oil and coal companies are being very effective. People actually tend to believe what these pseudo-scholars write.
Step #3 is particularly elegant and monumental. China will soon be invited join the G8 nations. President Hu, as you and your successors orchestrate for this inevitability, consider something particularly spectacular for your acceptance speech. Mikhail Gorbachev effectively initiated the end of the Cold War with his bombshell offer to President Ronald Reagan. China has an opportunity to catalyze an even larger peace if you just say:
China will next year reduce defense spending by 10%, and we will continue this reduction annually if you all take similar steps. I further suggest that the accumulated $150 billion fund in Year One, and subsequent years, be placed into an international environmental account to reduce the threat of climate warming.
These three simple steps will thrust China into a world leadership position as an equal superpower to the U.S. While not in terms of military capability, who cares, for if this strategy works, major global wars will become obsolete. More importantly, you will become the popular lead for the benefit of Planet Earth, Humanity and the Global Economy.