Since World War II, there have been three countries that have been referred to as superpowers, the Soviet Union, the British Empire and the United States. The first two have since lost prestige, leaving America as the only true superpower, according to most historians. But China is becoming an increasingly important candidate with its 1.5 billion inhabitants and the raw materials and trade contracts they conclude around the world.
Superpower
There are no set requirements for a country to be called a superpower, but there are some important characteristics that experts say are necessary to be called a superpower. Being the global leader economically, culturally, educationally and militarily are all hallmarks of a superpower. It was long believed that Japan would become the next superpower in the 1980s, but this prediction never came true.
Battle for world domination
Today, China is seen as the main candidate to become the next superpower. It is even suggested that China has plans to conquer the entire world. Such rumors can make China’s intentions look sinister, and while some politicians and economists claim that China is plotting global domination, it is more likely that China will have to battle it out with the United States over foreign interests. These interests each have separate goals, but what ultimately matters is global control over foreign resources as well as military dominance.
Africa
China has one problem: China’s population does not match its natural resources and GDP. The more than 1.3 billion Chinese do not have enough facilities to actually care for themselves. This has led to China starting to export its own people as they set up businesses in other parts of the world (think restaurants). For example, look at Africa where China has rapidly developed its presence in recent decades, in countries such as Nigeria, Angola and many others. During this period, more than 750,000 Chinese emigrated to Africa. Some scholars argue that China wants to increase this number to hundreds of millions so that it can solve its lack of natural resources by using African raw materials, while at the same time combating its own overpopulation. Both air and sea connections between China and Africa are rapidly expanding for massive deals in raw materials, trade, labor and military cooperation. Chinese private schools, embassies and cultural centers are springing up in places like Rwanda, Nairobi and Angola. Angola even has its own Chinatown.
On the other hand, countries in Africa will have a welcome trading partner and can count on military support and armament. Africa is also experiencing the benefits of jobs created and improved infrastructure. While trade between China and Africa has increased from 5 million to 6 billion in the last decade, many argue that Africa benefits only slightly from China, which imports valuable raw materials such as oil and timber while exporting cheap Chinese goods such as toys. It is estimated that 70% of all African timber is shipped to Chinese ports, a figure that indicates massive deforestation. There are also rumors that Chinese mining companies in Africa are making local citizens work for as little as 14 cents a day. The weapons shipped from China to Africa often end up with armies that are the cause of many civil wars. In some parts of Africa, Chinese people even have their own communities where black people are not even allowed.
South America
The same thing is happening in South America, China has now surpassed the US when it comes to Brazil’s most important trading partner. And in countries such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Venezuela and Peru, China is also making significant progress. With such a wide reach, and a population of almost 1.5 billion people, it is no wonder that much of the financial news focuses on China. But is China ready to become a real superpower?