Hu Jintao Removed From National Congress of the CCP (2022)

During the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party , former president Hu Jintao was removed. The incident generated much international attention in 2022. The explanation was that Hu Jintao was feeling unwell. The escorting of the former president was thought to be political removal. President Xi Jinping has become one of China's most powerful head of state. Making Hu Jintao retire or no longer participate in the National Congress demonstrates a change in political direction. During the Hu Jintao era, China was expanding its foreign relations and opening up to more foreign investment. The 2000s was the period of being more open, which was demonstrated by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The era of  coexistence and understanding was ended with the Asia pivot. President Xi Jinping responded to the sudden anti-China foreign policy from North America and Europe. When President Hu Jintao left office in 2013, relations were already in deterioration due to the rebalancing to the Pacific. Hu Jintao no longer has a large role in the CCP. His removal during the National Congress session demonstrates that President Xi Jinping wants move the CCP away from the influence of senior leaders. 

Nancy Pelosi's Visit To China (1991)

 

Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987. Her visit to China in 1991 became performative politics. The Democratic representative made decided to stop by Tiananmen Square and make statements about the protests in 1989. What attracted attention from authorities  was holding up a memorial banner. This was more than just a visit and paying respects to victim of police brutality. A choreographed ceremony was being done so she could boost her political profile. Pelosi was not concerned about the welfare of the Chinese people. Rather as a US leader there was a growing disdain for China's economic rise. Nancy Pelosi would disparage trade and tariffs with China in the US House of Representatives in 1996. As Speaker of the House she would visit Taiwan in 2022. Nancy Pelosi had a consistent anti-Chinese political position for the sake of US dominance in Asia. Human rights was being used as a mask to disguise an ulterior geopolitical objective. Foreign interference into  protests in other nations is way to manipulate them. A faction of Tiananmen Square demonstrators wanted to use perestroika as a political model. Chinese were not demonstrating for a western liberal democracy. The demand was for reforms. Pelosi's 1991 comment on free speech in China was contradictory. Just a decade later, free press and speech were under attack in the US due to anti-terrorism laws.    

A Decade of International Affairs, Change, and Global Confrontation

 The world has drastically changed in a decade. International power  dynamics are shifting due to economic and geopolitical factors. The 21st century is going to be more turbulent due to these changes. Warfare, poverty, and intense racial hatreds have not disappeared with advancement of civilization. The international liberal order is being rejected. The nations of the Global South have become more frustrated living in a world that takes dictates from the European Union, United States, and western elites from the World Economic Forum. Globalism implies a world of cooperation, peace, and a community of nations. The ideology and term is a misnomer.  Globalism used in modern context is furtively promoting neocolonial imperialism. Western values, culture, and liberal democratic systems are imposed on particular nations. To gain public support, wars are framed as humanitarian intervention or protection of democracy. The world of the 2010s and 2020s was predicted back in the late 20th century. The power void left by the fall of the Soviet Union allowed for abuse by the world's sole superpower. The assumption was that the world would become more peaceful after the Cold War. The United States did not end its military interventions or decrease defense spending. NATO expanded in Europe and engaged in operations outside the continent. Afghanistan and Libya were targets. The response to aggression across international borders came from a more powerful China and a Russian Federation recovering from economic challenges of the 1990s. International affairs is undergoing a more pugnacious transformation. Warfare is now being promoted as a humanitarian quest to stop authoritarian leaders and states. Multipolarity is going to be a part of world politics. The United States, France, UK, and Germany are not accepting of this change. Intolerance, a limited worldview, and closed minded perceptions become fuel for global confrontation. 

         The expansion of war zones has increased. Previous areas are either stuck in a status of failed state or long term insurgency. The Democratic Republic of the Congo's second civil war ended in 2003. By the 2010s the M23 rebels emerged with Rwandan backing. The ethnic tension between Hutus and Tutsis did not dissipate. The Libyan Civil War in 2011  created a failed state similar to Somalia in North Africa. The aftermath was mass refugee migration that continues to be a challenge for Europe. Eastern Europe became a warzone, when the legitimate government of Ukraine was deposed in 2014. Ukraine became a area of proxy war between the United States of America and the Russian Federation. Long term conflicts continued, but took on a larger international scale. The tension between India and Pakistan became intertwined with the Afghan War. Pakistan has supported factions of the Taliban, while fighting other armed groups. Kashmir remains a disputed territory among the two Asian countries. China tends to favor Pakistan over India in terms of  its foreign policy. What makes this more precarious was President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia. The more confrontational approach to China was a neoconservative vision of eliminating it as a world power. Taiwan from 2012  onwards was given more focus and military aid. A movement is underway in some foreign policy circles to abandon the one China policy. Part of this involves instigating conflict in the region. President Hu Jintao expanded China's international relations in various parts of Africa. His successor Xi Jingping  continues to establish stronger diplomatic ties to Global South nations. The 2002 to 2012 era of China's new phase of international relations caused a reaction from the United States and European Union countries. The attitude is hostile to the extent of moving to abandon the one China policy. Taiwan will be given more arms, even though it is a part of China. North Korea is a target for a future war with the US and South Korea doing joint military drills. The introduction of the pivot to Asia and the Indo-Pacific strategy has created conditions for an Asia-Pacific war. NATO is becoming a fighting force designed to impose a neocolonial status quo. Internal challenges invite interference. Mali Sudan, and Ethiopia are struggling with civil wars and armed groups. 

      Confrontation between nations does not cease. Mali since 2012 has been fighting a long term insurgency. The aftermath of the Libyan Civil resulted in arms and soldiers coming into Mali. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad seeks an independent state for the Tuareg people. Sudan ended its second civil war by accepting the independence of South Sudan. The new nation came into existence in 2011. South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013. The ethnic violence between Neur and Dinka has been present since South Sudan's independence. Omar Al-Bashir ruled Sudan since 1989, but was deposed by coup. After a number of rotating heads of state, another military ruler came to power. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was made head of state by the Transitional Sovereignty Council. The former members of the Janjaweed militia forces joined in a revolt led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The Rapid Support Forces have since 2023 attempting to overthrow the government. Ethiopia has another issue similar with the conflict with the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The Tigray War lasted from 2020 to 2022. A consistent pattern can be seen with all of these countries during the 2010s to 2020s. States are experiencing balkanization and consequences of past colonialism. The majority of borders in Africa and Asia were formed by former imperial powers. Syria's destruction was simple, because it was the product of the mandate system after World War I. Iraq , Lebanon, and Jordan have the same concerns with borders. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 enabled terrorist organizations to have a greater foothold in West Asia. ISIS emerged in both Iraq and Syria. The US, UK, and France assisted terrorist organizations for the purpose of removing the Bashar Al-Assad government. The Syrian Civil War became a proxy conflict between the US and Russia. Only when Russia intervened on Syria behalf in 2015 did it prevent another regime change. The Syrian army could  not defeat Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. HTS took over the government installing Ahmed al-Sharaa. HTS is a terrorist organization and it now governs a state. Baathism became a political force in 1968. The US occupation of Iraq ended that branch. The removal of the Assad government in 2024 made the ideology extinct. Wars have increased in number with rivalries from the 20th century continuing, 

       The world economy continues to be dominated by neoliberal capitalism. After the 2008 global financial crisis, the hope was for serious change. Instead , bailouts and the protection of corporate power went unchallenged. Transnational corporations during the 2000s gained more power than governments. The liberal democracies accepted this development, because certain companies provide campaign contributions to politicians. Poverty has increased, with people who were at one stage middle class falling into socioeconomic hardship. Privatization, structural adjustment programs, and outsourcing had devasting consequences. The private sector cannot meet all the needs of a country. This enabled corporations to do business in various areas, which reduced the quality of public services. Private equity firms continue to buy housing and hospitals. To reduce costs beds in hospitals are reduced. Apartment complexes have spikes in rent. Deregulation related to banking only exacerbates the problem. The 2008 financial crash was induced by subprime mortgage loans. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund  keep developing nations in a state of dependency through loans. African, Asian, and South American nations are forced onto structural adjustment programs. This meant reducing tariffs, cutting spending on social services, and privatizing various public sectors. The world under neoliberal capitalism and an international free market changed the nature of employment. Workers are not only competing for jobs in their own nation, but internationally. Outsourcing accelerated with many manufacturing jobs going to Global South nations. Low skilled and semi-skilled professions were the first jobs to disappear in the developed nations. White collar professions were not protected  either. Globalization describes all the policies and events effecting the world economy. The reduction of trade barriers and promotion of free markets has not increased the wealth of workers world wide. Nations that obtained their independence in the 20th century are still seeking economic security and development. The standard of living has declined in the UK and US. The European debt crisis contributed to this in EU countries. Workers  have seen their incomes and standard of living decline. A growing number of workers are falling into poverty. A middle class could vanish  from various nations. Neoliberal capitalism is not preserving the world economy, but making it more erratic. 

         Globalism became a  force in international affairs. Although it is presented as a model for a unified and peaceful world the ideology masks neocolonial imperialism. Globalism is not about cooperation of nations, but a world under permanent leadership of the West. Not only does it demand the exploitation of the Global South, but to adhere to the culture of Europe and North America. Supranational organizations either want to reduce or eliminate national sovereignty. The United Nations was not for the purpose of undermining countries. The international body was designed to facilitate dialogue among nations and peaceful solutions to disputes. Instead, the UN remains dominated by large powers. It was the United States and the Soviet Union that were the dominant powers in the United Nations. Global power shifted in the direction of the US after 1991.Simultaneously, European integration accelerated. The European Union was established in 1993 from the agreements articulated  in the Maastricht Treaty. This took advantage of the Eastern European nations, which were in dire economic condition. More countries of the former Soviet Union were joining the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The problem with this plan for European integration was the Russian Federation. During the Boris Yeltsin presidency Russia was suffering from the aftermath of the Soviet collapse and economy shock therapy. When Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, the Russian Federation was going in another direction. While Yeltsin was more oriented to the West, Putin's focus was on Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At one stage President Vladimir Putin contemplated joining NATO and being a partner with Western Europe. These policies would have never been accepted by the European Union or NATO. Russia cannot amalgamate into a globalist structure, because of its independence. Since 2008, Russia's policy is to influential in international affairs. Globalism wants all nations to adhere to one world system under one culture, liberal democratic systems, and capitalist economies. Globalism insists there is an international community in which all nations are subject to the same laws. The most powerful countries violate international law and are never punished. Their allies and collaborators are also exempted. Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey never face any sort of punishments for human rights violations. Although globalism can have multiple meanings in academic circles, supranational institutions and other organizations have a specific ideology. The World Economic Forum, European Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank want an imposed global order. Countries that resist globalism, are going to face hostility.  

      Major changes to global society were induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid technological advancement, and  growing distrust in establishment institutions. The worst public health crisis since the influenza pandemic in 1918 caused massive damage. Part of the harm was exacerbated by inadequate public health policy. Lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and other restrictions created concerns even when the pandemic was over. Lockdowns between those years of 2020 to 2022  caused businesses to close and unemployment to increase. Instead of using quarantines effectively, lockdowns were utilized to greater extent. Workers were not only harmed, but children. Across the world students experienced learning loss from schools being closed. Trepidation and panic took over than rational public health measures. Personal protective equipment, masks, and social distancing should have emphasized more than the use of lockdowns. Sweden, Uruguay, Iceland, and Taiwan did not do lockdowns. Their deaths were not as high as countries in Europe and North America. Travel restrictions brought a decline in tourism and the airline industry. Even when people did not travel, stay at home orders prevented social interaction. Isolation and mental health decline was effecting many individuals. The pandemic caused economic damage, but caused a change in the nature of interpersonal relations. People became more suspicious of one another. Workers revolted in another way. Many left the workforce in the 2020s. Low wages and combined with the daily challenges forced workers to leave companies. The nature of employment changed from the pandemic. More were willing to work form home and champion a four day work week. The relation between employer and employee became more contentious. Technology has become a greater part of over lives. Video sharing, social media, and artificial intelligence rapidly expanded. Technology has made it easier to access information. Youtube, Twitter, and Google have an international reach. False claims and fake news can be spread from any medium. Newspapers and broadcast news did this with little complaint. Governments assert they want to fight disinformation. The true intent is to make censorship acceptable. Social media companies and other silicon valley corporations  took measures to ensure accountability to avoid government regulation. Facebook, Twitter, and Google made adjustments, but it showed a bias. Fact checking and bans were applied to certain individuals, not all users. The realization has come that the internet is too vast and ubiquitous to be censored. The internet is not the same as it was in the 2010s. The medium is constantly evolving and the way users interacts with it does as well. Artificial intelligence generates feelings of anxiousness and wonder. AI could make a large portion of jobs obsolete. If applied in a responsible way it could be beneficial. Using AI for warfare, medical assessment, or stock market management would be dangerous. As information and knowledge becomes more available, the public begins to question more. The establishment continues to lose trust and credibility. Lies about war, the economy, pandemic, and international affairs eroded public support for various institutions. Government, media, and medicine have lost trust from the public between the years of 2003 and 2024. Professionals and experts of the establishment were more interested in supporting a narrative, rather than the truth. The aftermath of this was that the public turns to fringe movements or xenophobic nativist nationalism.  

          As each decade passes, the risk grows of a massive global confrontation grows. Observers of foreign affairs claim that to a degree this has started. The United States and the Russian Federation are waging a war of proxy in Ukraine. Israel is at war with the Houthi in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and invading Syrian territory. An Israel-Iran War becomes a greater possibility, as the country seizes more land .  The third Sudanese Civil War and the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could destabilize the African continent. Terrorist organizations and armed groups still are threats to the Sahel. Tensions between India and Pakistan could result in another long term conflict. War zones are expanding on Africa, Asia, and Europe. If the US, Russia, China, and the EU countries were to fight one another this would be a third World War. All these conflicts that are ongoing and the United Nations has been ineffective. If a third World War were to breakout, the United Nations would cease to exist. The institution designed to prevent mass global conflict is failing. At times the United Nations was a culprit in aggression. Libya and Haiti have been abused by the United Nations. The challenge in international affairs in the 21st century is containing war and using diplomacy. The unfortunate aspect is that diplomacy is not being employed to disputes. Destabilization, violence, and economic warfare is being used to attack multiple countries. African, Asian, and South American nations are the victims of this. The blowback is mass migration, which pushes western countries closer to the far-right. The  refugees since 2011 continue grow. Unable to find a solution, European leaders either use it to their political advantage or ignore the issue. The shift in demographics is going to cause internal difficulties for the EU. The majority of the world's nation-states are seeking cohesion within their borders. Control of borders is slowly dissipating in a globalized neoliberal capitalist economy. The flow of people, commodities, and information is going to be too much to manage. The rise of BRICS symbolizes a world of multipolarity. France, Germany, the UK, and the US will not accept this development. The United States was the sole superpower and decided to abuse its power. The violence accelerated in 2001, after the 9/11. The War on Terror was abandoned and shifted to a new existential threat of the Russia-China alliance. The desire to maintain a neocolonial structure creates conflict and undermines a stable peace. When powers decline and new ones emerge, a war tends to determine the world order. There is a need to break this cycle in international affairs. The abandonment of diplomacy in favor of war and intrigue demonstrates the desperation to maintain an unequal hierarchy of nations. The decade has been turbulent, erratic, and uncertain.          

The 2024 BRICS Summit

 

BRICS met for its sixteenth summit in 2024. It was hosted in Kazan, Russia. BRICS is expanding with more nations seeking to join. The challenge is that there are some tensions between some members. Venezuela and Brazil are experiencing a decline in diplomatic  relations. Brazil vetoed Venezuela's entry into BRICS. President Lula Da Silva questioned Venezuela's election results and appears to be drifting further away from President Nicolas Maduro. China and India do have border disputes. The atmosphere was different. Global South nations are asserting their economic independence. Since 2009 BRICS was an informal association of emerging economies in Asia, South America, and Africa. Since then it has become an important factor in the world economy. Attempts made by NATO to isolate Russia internationally were not successful. Seeing as the Russian Federation faces hostility from the European Union, diplomatic ties are sought elsewhere. A growing movement has emerged for creating a new currency and replacing the dollar. African and Asian nations are going to be a great force in the 21st century. Natural resources and a new currency are methods of challenging the dominance of EU countries. More members can be an advantage, but it brings complications. Argentina was set to join, yet reversed it decision. The reason was the country elected a right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei. Saudi Arabia has not taken the offer to become a member. Being a member of BRICS remaining western aligned would be difficult. Most EU countries and the United States see BRICS as an adversary. BRICS could also shield against sanctions unfairly placed on countries from Europe and North America. The 2024 BRICS summit marks an important geopolitical shift.   

The Attempts To Ban Tik Tok

 

Governments are attempting to ban Tik Tok . The popular social media platform has been accused of disinformation and being a national security risk. These claims are being made based on anti-China sentiment. A number of countries are attempting to ban the application based on a xenophobic nationalism. The European Union has made a ban on Tik Tok to apply to staff devices. This applies to the European Parliament, European Commission, and and EU Council. The measure is unnecessary considering the only application that should be used in offices are for work , not entertainment. France, Canada, Belgium, Pakistan, Nepal, and Australia have adopted similar policies. The US motivation for the ban is because it does not want Chinese competition in the technology sector and wants censorship. Video sharing applications expose concerns that are not discussed by the mainstream media or government. While it is used mostly for frivolous purposes, videos show abuses. Israel's human rights violations and war crimes in Gaza have been exposed on various platforms. The Tik Tok ban is a test to introduce censorship on multiple platforms. The public would never accept this, so false justifications are made. Disinformation, preventing public disturbance, and national security are the common arguments. Intelligence agencies and law enforcement have a good amount of resources to deal with matters of espionage. This is not about protect, rather undermining press and free speech. Afghanistan also imposed a ban on Tik Tok on the basis it was protecting the youth. Governments both authoritarian and democratic want to prevent the public from having independent thought. More social media platforms and video sharing sites could be a target of censorship.     

President Hage Geingob Challenges Norbert Lammert's Anti-Chinese Racism (2018)

 

President Hage Geingob (1941-2024) met with German politician Norbert Lammert in 2018. Lammert was the new chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The organization has been closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union. The organization is more of a consulting group and think tank. As their mission statement explains they want to promote freedom and liberty. What some observe is an attempt for the German conservative movement to impose their ideas on other nations. Norbert in the discussion claims that Germany is concerned about China's relations with Namibia. Sounding alarmed in a xenophobic manner he takes note of how their is a Chinese population in the country. Norbert Lammert is almost offended that it outnumbers the Germans in Namibia President Hage Geingob responded by saying Namibia is not under Chinese control and that it is " a European problem." President Hage Geingob also reiterates Namibia will not be lectured by a former colonizer. Germany refuses to pay compensation for the Herero genocide. Namibia fought a long war against occupation by Apartheid South Africa. Namibia would have remained under Germany's control if it had not lost World War I. China is the second largest economy in the world. It only makes sense that nations do business with it. President Hage Geingob also exposes that there is little equality when it comes to visas. Namibia is generous to Germans, but Germany is less welcoming of Namibians. Norbert Lammert revealed his anti-Chinese racism by assuming that China's motivations are for imperial intent. President Hage Geingob countered his prejudiced arguments on the basis of Namibia's national sovereignty.  

Syria's Growing Diplomatic Relations With China

 

Syria and China are expanding their diplomatic relations. The motivation for Syria is to circumvent France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, US, and Qatar. These countries were aiding terrorist organizations and armed groups during the civil war. Seeking a stronger alliance is a means of deterring a possible NATO intervention. Syria is now back in the Arab League. This demonstrates that Syria was able to avoid being isolated in the West Asian region. Syria has not been isolated in the Global South. It will no longer have positive relations with the West considering the sanctions and attempts to overthrow the government. China could be a useful investor in a country that requires reconstruction. Bombings from Israel and the civil war has damaged infrastructure. China wants to have more extensive diplomatic relations with the Arab world. Then there is the concern about China's access to oil. Chinese firms could return to Syria, but the US occupation of certain areas and terrorist organizations are security concerns.  The Chinese energy firms Sinopec Corp, Sinochem, and CNPC were forced to leave. The civil war made it impossible to operate. The firms invested $3 billion in Syria between 2008 and 2009. President Xi Jingping appears to want to reverse a decade long absence of investment in Syria. President Assad was able to survive with Russian military assistance. Now Syria is getting economic aid. Now that Syria is a member of the Belt and Road Initiative  it could get greater access to the East Asian economy. 

A Major Goal of The New Development Bank

 

The New Development Bank has outlined major objectives in the coming years. The focus will be on Africa. The NDB founded by BRICS wants to see changes in the global economy. The New Development Bank will finance infrastructure and digital projects. Investments will also be made in education. Such a policy makes sense considering the jobs of the future will require more skills and knowledge. A fourth industrial revolution is coming and the Global South should not be left behind. The African continent has large amounts of natural resources. This means it is a significant force in the world market. NDB President Dilma Rousseff  noted that direct foreign investment in Africa went from 4.9% in 2010 to 8.8 % in 2021. Rousseff described African nations as  quality partners. The challenges that remain are related to expanding payment mechanisms Rousseff added. Cooperation, stability of the continent, and banking procedures remain persistent obstacles. Economic growth is not slowing down in Africa. The result of this is that the New Development Bank's importance will be elevated. 

More Countries Want To Join BRICS

 

BRICS might be getting more members. A total of 30 countries are attempting to be part of the economic alliance. The development represents that the Global South is becoming more united in relation to economic matters. The details of which countries will get membership have not been disclosed. Much of the information related to possible members was from South African BRICS ambassador Anil Sookal. The countries that want to be part of the alliance include Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belarus, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, the UAE, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The controversial additions would the Gulf monarchies and Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates tend to be in alignment with Europe and North America. Afghanistan remains under the control of the Taliban regime and tends to isolate itself from the wider world. Pakistan has serious tensions with India and Sudan has fallen into civil war. Countries that are unstable, have disputes with other members, or are too close to the West might bring complications to the economic alliance. The challenges could be negated by one currency among members and a series of diplomatic agreements. Many nations want to move away from the US dollar and challenge the US-EU led global economy. The addition of new members also the world is heading to a multipolar power system. At some point the world will not be influenced by a sole superpower. Developing countries could most likely benefit more from BRICS. The IMF and World Bank have failed to produced programs that create economic stability or industrialization. Leaders of BRICS will meet in Johannesburg , South Africa to discuss bring more countries into the alliance, trade, currency, and concerns related to the global economy.    

BRICS Is Developing A New Currency

 

BRICS has been planning on developing a new currency. This development indicates that the world might be shifting away from the US dollar. The motivations of some members of the emerging economies do vary. China seeks to be more competitive in the global market. Russia wants more economic connections in Asia and Africa seeing as relations in Europe are in decline. India wants to expand economic growth. Brazil has a desire to unlock more business opportunities. South Africa has been exploring ways to combat economic inequality. The motivations to move away from the US dollar differ among BRICS members. One currency among members of emergent economics could be useful. There markets would not be so dependent on the US or Europe. Tensions between members could cause such a project to be stalled. India and China have had border disputes. All members do not agree about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. If the currency is successful, questions remain about the chance of more countries becoming members. The global financial system is headed for a drastic change. Multipolarity will not just effect international affairs, but also the world economy. The name proposed for this new currency would be called the R5. Doing this could mean that sanctions could no longer harm Global South nations. It is not certain if the R5 would protect nations from a global financial collapse. The Global South appears to be asserting a type of economic independence. The measure of success depends on how economically secure citizens are and if the currency maintains a high value.  

Chinese Balloon Incident

 

The United States has accused China of sending a surveillance balloon into its air space. Eventually, it was shot down. There has not been an investigation  discovering if this was a genuine act of espionage. Making assumptions without evidence will result to incorrect conclusions. China has stated that it was a weather balloon blown off course. Other balloons have even reached Latin America. China would have no reason to spy on Latin American countries seeing as diplomatic relations are better compared with the US. A surveillance balloon is not an effective tool for espionage. Hacking, satellites, and having agents infiltrate a country would provide more information. That is why the parts must be gathered to determine if this was a spy balloon. The Chinese Balloon incident could be a scare campaign to get the American public to embrace anti-Chinese sentiment. The FBI so far has claimed the balloon was capable of electronic surveillance. Considering it was shot down much of the equipment will be damaged. Using a balloon is not effective, because it lacks control by a person. A drone would have better capabilities at gathering intelligence. If this was some type of Chinese intelligence operation, then it might be a reaction to US actions in Asia. The United States has undermined the One China policy and continues to be active in Taiwan. The United States does not acknowledge that actions in Asia could have wider international consequences. 

Jiang Zemin Criticizes The Model of Reporting

 

President Jiang Zemin's leadership further cemented China's transition  to a free market in the  1990s.Economic liberalization did not produce the reforms that some desired. The Chinese Communist Party remained the only political force in the People's Republic of China. Maoism was phased out by the 1980s.  President Zemin in this rare video criticizes a journalist for not understanding the nature of the system. He implies that the questions asked do not consider the complexities of China politics and government. Zemin explains that it is important for a journalist to be knowledgeable and have greater understanding of certain situations. The model of modern reporting is to repeat a certain narrative. The problem with this is that it can normalize bias, without examining other perspectives. While Jiang Zemin's point is valid, but that does not negate the fact the government is a one party state. The absence of free press or political opposition make it difficult for journalism to evolve. The footage demonstrates how leaders in China try to deflect the authoritarian nature of the regime. The modern model of reporting does have flaws, which abusive governments can use to their advantage. They can cite unfair reporting as a foreign plot or disinformation to restrict free speech. Under Zemin's administration the urban-rural wealth gap grew and state owned enterprises closed. Few in China seriously criticized or challenged him on policy.    

The Growth of President Xi Jinping's Influence

 

President Xi Jinping will serve a third term as General Secretary. This is a new new development in the People's Republic of China. The tradition was to limit the terms. However, President Xi Jinping has growing influence both inside China and the wider global stage. Much of the diplomatic success was due to the efforts of the former president  Hu Jintao. His administration made a greater effort to build strong relations with African nations in the early 2000s. President Xi Jinping is using that framework and building upon it in regards to foreign relations. The concerns over Taiwan and the One China policy have made more suspicious of other world powers. Taiwan is still a part of China, but in reality has de facto independence. China's issue is that the break away island gets international recognition. Taiwan and the growing economic competition will be a major focus of Xi Jinping's third term. China's  economic goals ae to expand manufacturing and strengthen the information technology sector. Since becoming core leader, Xi Jinping has attained more power. The CCP and government might be going through a major transformation. China is becoming more like a mixed economy. The socialist and capitalist elements are fusing in a country that has become a world power. President Xi Jinping has an ambitious path of China having a greater role in global affairs. Diplomatic relation are going to extend through Latin America, Africa, and most of Asia. President Xi Jinping now represents what the multipolar world order. Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines remain suspicious of  President Xi Jinping's intentions.   

Nancy Pelosi Intends To Visit Taiwan

 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has implied that she will visit Taiwan. This resulted in condemnation from China. The sudden desire to visit indicates a decline in US-China relations. The one China policy acknowledges that the island is a part of the PRC. Doing this visit suggests that America is making preparations for recognizing Taiwan as an independent nation. China's fear is that the island along with South Korea, and Japan could be used a launching sites for military action. The possible visit could have dire consequences. China could in response arm North Korea as a means countering American expansion into Asia. The United States has continued to provide arms to Taiwan despite objections to Beijing. The move is not one of skilled diplomacy. If Taiwan is to be discussed, a visit to Beijing would need to occur first. Risking a large East Asia war could spread to other regions. The speculation is that these actions are the culmination of the pivot to Asia. China must be undermined so that the US can continue to be the sole superpower in the world. The approach to Asian affairs has become reckless over the past three presidential administrations. Instead of creating an atmosphere of trust  and understanding a sentiment of hostility is predominant. 

The Shangahi Lockdown

 

China continues to enforce its zero Covid-19  policy. Shanghai is back in lockdown with new infection rates. This does not seem like a rational public health policy. Considering that vaccines are now available and there is more knowledge about the virus the measure would be ineffective. Lockdowns are not effective at stopping the spread of Covid-19. Vaccines, social distancing, wearing masks, and quarantines are better options. Lockdowns only caused learning loss for children, decline in mental health, increases in domestic violence, and economic difficulties. The lockdown of Shanghai is precarious, because it is a threat to food security and income of its residents. Migrant workers are caught in a difficult situation and people could face evictions. Citizens are not allowed to freely go out in public. China is not the only country to have extreme lockdown policies. EU countries have done the same. At some point, this is not about public health or safety. The lockdowns are being used to either enforce some form of control of the population. Promoting public health should not come at the price of human rights or basic freedoms. Lockdowns should not even be an option now that there are various methods of fighting Covid-19. The virus will at a certain stage become more infectious and less lethal . Mass vaccination will not cause it to disappear, but make it manageable. The economic and social damage of lockdowns will last long than the actual pandemic. A zero Covid-19 policy is not possible or useful  biomedical science policy. The only result of lockdowns are protests and general discord from the population. Future public health policy should focus on prevent as much mental and physical harm to people. Shanghai is an example of a poor method of dealing with a pandemic related outbreak of disease.  

Anti-Asian Racism, Sinophobia, and US-China Tension

 The United States has seen an increase in anti-Asian racism and hate crimes. This spark in bigotry is nothing new to the United States. The nation was built upon the enslavement of  African Americans  and the eradication of the Native American population. Anti-Asian racism follows in a similar tradition of violence, abuse,  and discrimination in US history. The current wave is different because it is connected to a pandemic, demographic shifts, and a change in the geopolitical order. China has been demonized as a threat to world security. As US power declines a new world of multipolarity international politics is emerging. The United States has wanted to remain the world's sole superpower since the fall of the Soviet Union.  To do this an aggressive foreign policy was crafted. Neoconservative ideology seeks to have the world order revolve around the United States.  Democracy promotion and humanitarian intervention was used as cover for advancing geopolitical hegemony. The militarist advance would inevitably create tension with China.  The real concern about China has nothing to do about its one party state or human rights abuses. China is becoming a major economic competitor. The US has another reason to continue to escalate tensions. The military industrial complex can not function in times of peace. The arms and defense  industry would not be able to survive without conflict. Sinophobia has become US foreign policy with commentators erroneously describing this as a new Cold War. What is a pattern of scapegoating  and hysteria to justify US military intervention around the world. The consequence of this is that Asian Americans are viewed with  suspicion  and animosity. Scapegoating provides a distraction to growing economic instability, political corruption, and the public health crisis. Racism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant sentiment will only get worse. The growing tension between both the US and China could lead to direct military confrontation . Anti-Asian racism has its roots in European colonial imperialism. The legacy continues to present. 

        Asia was subject to invasion and colonization by the British, French, Dutch, Americans, and Germans. Japan and Thailand were the only countries to avoid such fates. Afghanistan and Persia's sovereignty and security were under threat from both the British Empire and Russia.   China's situation was unique. Seeing as the country was so large it was carved up into spheres of influence. Concessions were established in which the Qing government  exerted little or no control. The process of  dividing China began with the establishment of an open door policy. European powers agreed to respect one another's claims to economic zones. All agreed  to practice extraterritoriality. That meant law enforcement would be conducted in concessions by the foreign power rather than the Qing government . The Tiaping rebellion caused Chinese to emigrate to other nations. Chinese went to America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South America. The Tiaping rebellion was a mass uprising against the government between the years of 1850 to 1864. The countries that the Chinese emigrated to they found themselves facing racism and violence. The Chinese experience during the 19th century culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act . The law was designed to prevent and discourage Chinese from coming to America. Enacted in 1882, it was one of many racist and xenophobic laws enforced in the United States.  Chinese emigration was used to help with labor shortages in the countries they settled in. When the Chinese came to America working on railroads they were paid less in comparison to their white counterparts. When the economic depression of 1873 occurred Chinese workers were blamed for suppressing wages and the economic turmoil. While Chinese were not the cause of the depression of 1873, American political leaders were using anti-immigrant sentiment and racism to distract the public. Across the Pacific Ocean , Southeast Asia was being absorbed by France. Around 1887 the Indochinese Union was formed which consisted of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The Netherlands had full control of Indonesia. The British Empire's colonial possessions included Pakistan, India, Burma, Malaya, Brunei, North Borneo, and Sarawak. Asia was mostly under European subjugation. The United States acquired Guam and the Philippines during the Spanish American War.  This sparked resistance and growing anti-colonial movements. The Boxer rebellion in 1900 and the Russo-Japanese War showed that Asia was not willing to accept imperial domination by Europe.   

The colonies of the European colonial empires in 1914. Germany and Austria would lose their colonies during World War I. 

China lost wars against the British Empire and faced the Tiaping rebellion by 1850. Unable to resist external threats China was divided by European empires. 

Anti-Asian violence in America during the 19th century 

These events reinforced a racist myth of yellow peril. Asia had to be colonized to prevent the rise of an East Asian threat to the West. The Chinese and other East Asians were presented as violent and uncivilized.  The biggest fear was that of a Chinese and Japanese alliance.  If there was some form of Pan-Asian solidarity the European colonial empires would not survive. This did not happen instead the Japanese Empire adopted a more hostile stance to China. The militarist and ultranationalist factions of the government took over and sought to expand. Japan's wars were not for the sake of liberation. The intent was to push out European powers and replace it with a system of Japanese dominance.   Anti-Asian racism in its modern form was born from the colonial past.  

     Sinophobia is a type of anti-Asian racism that describes  the fear or hatred of Chinese. During the 20th century that nature of it changed in the US. The Immigration Restriction Act of 1924 was another form of legislation preventing Chinese emigration. Combined with the extensions of the Chinese Exclusion Act an entire race was specifically banned from entering the country. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, US policy was adjusted to the situation. The US and China would become allies during World War II in the fight against the Japanese Empire. Although both countries were allies Anti-Asian racism did not stop. The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed, but immigration restriction remained in place. Executive Order 9066 resulted in the internment  of  Japanese Americans. Although Chinese and Japanese Americans had different racial backgrounds they faced a similar experience  of prejudice. The end of World War II did little to improve attitudes.   When the Chinese Communist Party won the civil war, China became part of America's Cold War focus. Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Sinophobia was updated for the Cold War era. China and Chinese were viewed as a red menace. The containment policy was used as a justification for wars of aggression in Asia. According to this policy, if communism was not contained it would spread around the world and take over. China the US claimed was attempting to assert control over all of Asia. 

The Red Scare during the 1950s made Americans more paranoid about communism and the loyalty of Asian Americans. The image of perpetual foreigner constantly questioned whether or not Asians could be real Americans. Domino Theory was also utilized for the purpose of the US influence in Asia. With the exit of the British and French from Asia, the region became another front in the Cold War. Korea now had new colonizers of the US and Russia. When the Korean War broke out China mobilized for combat. The Chinese intervention halted chances of a US-UN takeover of the entire Korean peninsula. Korea would remain divided. Vietnam had to fight against the French and the US to achieve unification. China was not as dedicated to Vietnam as it was Korea. However, what the Pentagon Papers exposed was a large scale US campaign to be a successor to the French and British in Asia. From 1945 to 1967 the US became more involved in the region. The majority of the American public was unaware of the bombing campaigns in Laos and Cambodia. The US intervention was presented as saving Vietnam from communism and stopping Chinese domination of Asia. The geopolitical reality was that the US was trying to exploit Asia. America's wars against Asia resulted in many deaths and refugees. Cambodians, Laotians, and Vietnamese would flee to the US when the communists won the war. The new immigrants were not welcomed. Oddly, a new concept emerged which had two purposes. The model minority myth was created as means to show that America was no longer racist. The fallacy was proven by the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982.  Japanese competition  in the auto industry was putting strain on America's domestic produced cars. Detroit Michigan used to be the center of America's auto industry, but was facing decline. Asian Americans were as a whole scapegoated for the failure of the auto industry in the area. When Chin was murdered by two white auto workers, they assumed he was Japanese . Chin was a Chinese American, but to them it made no difference.  Asians were still subject to discrimination, prejudice, and violence. The model minority myth was then used by racists to disparage other ethnic groups. The idea that African Americans or Latinos were not trying hard enough to succeed in American society was the talking point using Asians as a comparison. the surge in Sinophobia and Anti-Asian racism has morphed both domestically and internationally. 

        The new wave of anti-Asian racism is correlated with the COVID-19 pandemic. If the virus started in some other nation, these spike in attacks might not have happened. Instead of giving sympathy to those who lost their lives China is being blamed for the global health crisis. To say that China is responsible for all the world's deaths from COVID-19 is an exaggeration. Numerous conspiracy theories have been spread. The most prominent of these is that COVID-19 is a bioweapon developed by China. There is no evidence of this, but there are a sizeable amount of people who believe it. Such xenophobia and racism is expressed by conservative political circles. Liberal and moderate circles are not immune either. Like most Americans they have been convinced that China represents some form of global threat. This is only expressed in a subtle manner among the liberal and centrist faction.  This goes beyond legitimate condemnation of the practices of the CCP. Chinese people are seen as an enemy or a danger to the world .   The virus is called by the prejudiced minded  as "the China virus" or  "kung flu." Governments tend to direct public anger at groups that have nothing to do with the crisis. Asians did not cause the virus. Pandemics have started in various points in history. The origin of COVID-19 is disputed, but it has been thought to be  zoonotic. What the current crisis exposed was the World Health Organization's slow  response and how low quality healthcare systems put people at risk. The World Health Organization response has been less effective. There has been massive institutional failures from governments and supranational organizations. To mask these failures a narrative was created that China   is responsible for the COVID-19 crisis. Pandemics can happen anywhere and to place the blame on one country demonstrates a bias.  

         The demonization of China is a means to keep the military industrial complex relevant. The United States continues to spend more on its military rather than domestic programs. Seeing as it is a large exporter of arms to various nations, conflict becomes profitable. The arms industry is a major part of the US economy. If there was some type of peace or decrease in war the arms industry would suffer. Some question why the US needs multiple bases around the globe or why arms production has dramatically increased. The need for a nation to be classified as a rogue state  or threat to international peace is required. Making China look like an existential threat allows for American militarism to remain unquestioned. Classifying nations in simple terms such as good or evil ignores the geopolitical complexities of the world. To define the world in such terms ignores history, culture, and the reasons for long term conflict. The military industrial complex is preserved by the China fear for the purpose of a permanent state of warfare. The United States  invaded both Iraq and Afghanistan destabilizing the Middle East and Central Asia. The US has conducted military strikes in Syria and Yemen. The War on Terror was used an excuse to wage war in West  Asia. However,  the War on Terror concept is not useful enough to expand military operation. It is too amorphous  and declaring a war against a tactic is illogical. To some degree all states use terrorism against other nations during war or against targeted groups. The only way the public will accept egregious  amounts of violence is if there is a false ethical cause presented. Invasions are reimagined as liberation and war as a form of democracy promotion. China becomes in this fantasy a caricatured villain , while America is presented as a heroic savior. America must be aggressive to keep the world safe in this perspective. This distorted view is no different from the European colonial empires of the past. America is in terms of its capability a larger threat to global  security  than China could ever be. The China threat myth keeps the military industrial complex active, even when there is no point to its existence. 

           The US-China tension has a basis in economics. World powers are in competition for global markets. China's rapid rise was due to its emphasis on a manufacturing sector and the adoption of neoliberal capitalist  policies. The question remains on whether China is truly communist anymore seeing as it has abandoned Maoist economic policy. It would be difficult to even classify China as market socialism. When Deng Xiaoping promoted economic reforms in the 1980s agriculture and industry would change. Farming communes were dismantled and individual farming was allowed. China was becoming an export based economy. China would acquire Hong Kong from the British in 1997, which was a major financial center. China's economic power was growing. The United States was becoming more nervous and vexed at this economic progress. The Obama administration wanted to halt China's economic rise with the Trans-Pacific Partnership  (TPP).  The behavior that America demonstrates is similar to when Japan was becoming more economically powerful. During the Reagan administration a prosperous Japan was seen as a threat. The decline of heavy industry in America enabled Japan to gain influence in the US market. At the time,  similar xenophobic sentiments were expressed about their economic success. The rise of China during the late 1990s to early 2000s was met with the same distrust. When President Trump launched a trade war against  China the previous US presidents were already establishing the ground work for future economic warfare. The Bush administration took notice of China's access to African markets. President Obama wanted to counter this, which explains the reasons for increased military action in Libya and Somalia. The Obama administration took this another step further by the Asia pivot foreign policy. Currently, both the European Union and US have imposed sanctions on China. The reason is based on the abuse of Uyghurs. The sanctions are not for the purpose of human rights concerns, rather to stop Chinese economic progress. Racism and discrimination against Uyghurs and Tibetans has been widely known. The sudden concern is not out of some ethical epiphany. The new sanctions will most likely not stop China's economic rise. China's exploration into information technology such as 5g wireless networks will make it more powerful.  China  is now a upper middle income country and the world's second largest economy. 

        US-China tension is not a new Cold War. The risks are more precarious. The reason is that certain conditions are making it possible for a direct military confrontation. The United States has more bases in East Asia and continues to instigate disturbances in the South China Sea. Disputes related to territory existed prior to American involvement. However, US interference has only made the situation worse. North Korea becomes a focal point in this struggle for regional influence. Hong Kong and Taiwan will also become involved. The events that occur there become  sources of contention among China and the US.  Through observation it is  seen  that the US has no interest in diplomacy. The policy seems to emphasize  planning for war with China through a larger coalition. What has emerged out of  American think tanks is the concept of the Chinese challenge. The notion that China represents a unrelenting international antagonist was developed by these organizations. Yellow peril has been updated for a new generation of leaders. The articulation of this is more sophisticated than the more blatant racism of the past. The argument is that Chinese assertion is a threat to security. Every country has to assert itself if it wants to survive. Otherwise, it could be subject to external manipulation or conquest. Maybe the real problem is large power competition among nations, rather than China itself. The plans are in motion to form an anti-China coalition. The US, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and South Korea will gradually become more aligned in military force. The prospect of mass global conflict only increases with such an obsession  with China. The intent should be to reduce escalation, rather than making justifications for aggression. The worst consequence of all of this is that other Asian nations will suffer. Countries may have to select a faction between China or the United States. Myanmar, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh will get caught up in US-China tension. Asia will thus be divided against itself. A US-China war would be devastating. The world cannot survive another conflict similar to the Great War  or World War II . The loss of life, economic stability, and infrastructure would be so immense recovery would not be possible. The past three presidential administrations made no effort to reduce tensions and it appears that the current one will not either. 

       The new rise of anti-Asian hate is a revival of past racism with a modern update. It must be acknowledged these racist sentiments are a part of the US government and foreign policy establishment. The mainstream media and entertainment  also is guilty of promoting prejudiced ideas and racist stereotypes. The image of perpetual foreigner, model minority, or dragon lady has been presented in literature  , TV, film, and other visual media. When China is mentioned on the news it normally given a negative representation. China is seen as an adversary methodically plotting against the United States.  The process of othering allows people to justify mistreatment or violence of certain races. The racism that America is witnessing remains part of a larger problem. For too long, the concept of a real  American meant to be white. The melting pot only applied to European immigrants. Irish, Germans, Italians, and Russians could be accepted, but African, Asian, Latino  Americans were not . America's changing demographics has resulted in growing xenophobia and hatred of other countries. Economic decline has caused the population scapegoat and project frustration. Instead of American leaders devising solutions they instead try direct discord away from their constant failures. Stagnant wages, growing national debt,  an  inadequate healthcare  system, and the growing chance of an mass eviction crisis demonstrate America has little ability to take care of its population. China becomes a distraction to America's internal economic and political issues. Simultaneously, Asian Americans are becoming more isolated and marginalized. Resistance is growing to the rise in hate crimes. Stop Asian hate demonstrations have been held across America. If people are dedicated to this cause, then they should also protest US foreign policy in Asia. A person cannot say they are against Asian hate, while supporting US aggression or neocolonialism on the Asian continent . The public should oppose the attempt to escalate US-China tension, wars in West Asia, or belligerence with North Korea. America requires a major reassessment of  its behavior and how it interacts with Asian  countries.      

 

Rush Limbaugh Mocks The Chinese Language And Hu Jintao (2011)

 

Rush Limbaugh conservative radio personality and talk show host has died at the age of 70. The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine gave rise to the domination of conservative talk radio. Rush Limbaugh was the leader of this making racism and xenophobia his business model. He appealed to a segment of the population that was deeply prejudiced  and more in favor of the Republican Party. Limbaugh's radio program would make commentary not just on domestic policy, but on foreign policy. When President Obama met with President Hu Jintao Limbaugh criticized the meeting as America caving to Chinese interests. The audio clip above is of Limbaugh mocking the Chinese language. He then claims it sounds no different from Japanese and there were no translators at the meeting. These claims were false, but they were stated for a purpose. Instilling fear in people helps with getting the Republican Party votes. China and its leaders from the Obama years to present  have been demonized as a threat. The Democratic Party also plays on this with the concept of   the Chinese challenge. The Hu Jintao presidency during this time was making significant successes in relations with African nations, which created tension with America. Economic competition continues to be a source of  contention  between the two countries. Before President Trump, Rush Limbaugh was already expressing anti-Chinese rhetoric. Rush Limbaugh is a reminder that racism is fostered through media outlets.  

Renewed Border Clashes Between India and China

China and India are once more engaging in border clashes. This comes as Asia is struggling with other regional tensions. The source of tension is located in Aksai Chin, the Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, Demchock, and Arunachal Pradesh. Aksai Chin is controlled by China, but claimed by India. Arunachal Pradesh is controlled by  India, by claimed by China. Gunfire and casualties have been reported. According to BBC News, 20 Indian troops were killed in Ladakh. When the first incident occurred it appeared as if the two regional powers were willing to come to an agreement. Now it appears tensions are escalating. A war between  two powerful Asian nations could have devastating consequences. If China goes to war with India, Pakistan could come to its assistance. India and Pakistan were attempting to improve relations, but so far attempts have failed. A conflict in 2020 would not be the same as the Sino-Indian War in 1962. Disorder in both Pakistan or India could reverberate to Afghanistan. The Taliban has never been defeated and could take advantage of regional conflict. Kashmir already under new strict guide lines for control will also be effected. A China-India war may attracted other world powers to get involved. It is uncertain what exactly the objectives are of both China and India. The border disputes could just remain minor. There was a border fight  in 2017 that  did not escalate. Seeing as the global political situation is different, with China being viewed with more suspicion the issue could be exacerbated.  

Anti-African Racism in China

The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a wave of racism and xenophobia across the globe. It also is a lugubrious reminder of racism that is not commonly discussed in other nations. Anti-African racism in China has been prevalent, even though it has diplomatic  relationships with multiple AU nations.Incidents of discrimination and scapegoating have harmed Africa-China relations. The biggest failure was not admitting the problem. As the US and EU become more suspicious of China, this comes with a security risk. African countries such as Zimbabwe or South Africa could break off relations if racist abuse is not adequately addressed. Guangzhou witness cases in which Africans were evicted from hotels and had their passports confiscated. Animosity between Africa and Asia only advances neocolonial western geopolitics. France, Germany, the US, and UK have a desire to have greater spheres of influence in Africa both politically and economically. China is seen as a challenger to the US-EU block. Sinophobia has grown across the world, with many blaming China for the pandemic. It is critical that African and Asian nations demonstrate solidarity in a time in which possible military action could be taken against them. These racist acts do not come as a surprise, seeing as Tibetans and Uighurs have been subject to similar abuse. President Xi Jingping's silence and inaction will only cause more harm to the country as a whole. China will have to repair and do more in terms of its diplomacy to maintain relations with African nations.   

The Coronavirus Pandemic, Anti-Chinese Racism, and Public Panic

The  World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic. What is now known as COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, China and gradually spread to other nations. Throughout history there have been outbreaks and pandemics. The plague and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic are the most notable. Public health was in the past not up to the same standards as the modern period. Limited understanding about the infectious and viral diseases made matters worse. The reason that this current pandemic occurred is not due to a misunderstanding of biomedical science. The possible root of the outbreak is the trade in exotic animals. This is common in China and animals may be contained in unsanitary conditions. Bats or pangolins  have been suspected as carriers of coronavirus. The origins of the disease still remain a mystery.  While humanity has advanced in terms of medicine, it is still vulnerable to harmful microorganisms. Pandemics are more likely due to large amounts of international travel, larger populations,  or poor public health practices. The pandemic reveals much about the condition of  the world's population. There is a growing xenophobic and racist sentiment directed at Chinese people and the country itself. Bigotry has existed prior to the outbreak , yet it is being used to justify anti-Chinese racism. The world's healthcare systems are not able to address the challenges of pandemics. Certain nations cannot afford to produce high quality healthcare systems. The global south struggles with this due to underdevelopment. Wealth does not always guarantee a functional healthcare system. The United States still does not have a system of universal healthcare. Millions could either be uninsured or have low quality coverage. Preserving public health is not the objective, rather it is to ensure that insurance and pharmaceutical companies maintain high profits. The world needs a network of universal healthcare to prevent pandemics. Otherwise,  more people could parish. There are methods in which a person can protect themselves from infection. The problem is the public panics to an irrational degree. The media and governments are to blame with causing feels of trepidation. Basic information is necessary to prevent further mass infection. Transparency and not making unconfirmed proclamations about events can reduce mass panic. If not this could induce civil disturbance. The effects of COVID-19 are going to have long lasting effects on society, even when the pandemic is over. 

       The outbreak of COVID-19 had indications of a pandemic in its early stages. The majority of those infected were Chinese in Wuhan, which then appeared in other countries. Japan began seeing cases. For awhile, Africa and Latin America did not have cases of COVID-19 infection. Then Egypt and Nigeria became the first African nations to witness COVID-19. Iran and other Middle Eastern nations were grappling with the same disease. South Africa and then Brazil also discovered that the disease reached their territory. The declaration of pandemic should have been made much sooner by the World Health Organization. The rate of the spread was too fast for coronavirus not to be a pandemic. The reason that the ebola outbreak in 2014 was not declared a pandemic was that it was confined to Liberia with other cases in the DRC. The outbreak did not expend outside of Africa. Since February the number of confirmed cases has increased dramatically. There could be more people with the virus, but do not exhibit symptoms. Those who are at risk of death tend to be older and people with preexisting health conditions. Those with influenza related symptoms have been advised also to get tested for coronavirus.  

     A pandemic is by definition a global epidemic that effects large amounts of people across nations. By March 11, the amount of  confirmed coronavirus cases continued  to grow  on every continent ( excluding Antarctica). The world sees large amounts of people traveling for vacations, work, and leisure. Other forms of human migration are not by choice. There continues to be a refugee crisis with many people fleeing war and destabilization . African and Arab refugees fleeing from Libya, Chad, Mali, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, and Somalia are coming to Europe. Traveling this way means their health would suffer, which means the risk of infection could increase. Air planes and cruise ships also can enhance the likelihood getting COVID-19. The shipping of various goods may also be a concern.China has become a leading manufacturer. Goods and services could be interrupted due to coronavirus concerns. Exported products could have traces of the virus if not sanitized. The economic toll can already be seen with fluctuations in the stock market. Public health is more vulnerable not because of lack of technological means. Affordable health insurance and medicine is out of reach depending on which country you live. Smallpox was only eliminated through an international effort. To defeat current and future pandemics, healthcare systems must be raised to a higher standard globally. A serious challenge must be made against insurance and pharmaceutical corporations that make profits providing the least amount of coverage. The homeless and poor are extremely vulnerable to pandemics. The failure of governments to challenge such corporations, puts the world at risk. Disagreements and lack of cooperation among world leaders only makes containing COVID-19 more difficult. The rivalry between world powers makes efforts to confront common threats almost impossible. The lack of rapid response is partly to blame for the spread of the virus. Poor sanitation and the abuse of animals could also be culpable for the crisis. Exotic animals can be carriers of a number of microorganisms that could be harmful to human beings. The trade of various animals in Chinese markets in congested  areas lack the proper sanitation standards. Bird flu and SARS have similar origins. More laws regrading the trade in animals  and wider public health measures must be taken to  halt pandemic outbreaks. 

         The unfortunate result of the pandemic is revived anti-Chinese racism. Prejudice and racism against the Chinese existed before coronavirus. China was subject to being carved up into spheres of influence by France, Germany, the British Empire, US, Japan, and Italy. During the age of European imperialism China had little control of its economy and political structure. Chinese immigrants faced extreme hostility when coming to America, France, and Australia. The US imposed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and the Immigration Restriction Act of 1924  in order to reduce the Chinese population. The Chinese have either been seen in terms as an immigrant threat or perpetual foreigner. One dimensional stereotypes such as the model minority were presented as a way to hide the fact that racist sentiment was still present in America. When the Chinese Communist Party took power in  1949, America viewed China as an enemy. There was a period diplomatic understanding  in which the Nixon administration opened relations. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of China as the second largest economy America saw China as an threat.  The Trump  administration has scapegoated China for the trade war that was started by the United States. This era has ignited a wave of xenophobia and racism that Chinese communities have been familiar with. Chinese or any other non-white groups have always had their loyalty to America questioned. Since the outbreak of coronavirus Chinese Americans have been subject to  acts of race prejudice and hate crimes. This is not an isolated case in just America. Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Netherlands have seen an increase in anti-Chinese sentiment. 

   

Chinatowns are witnessing a decrease in visitation. Chinese businesses are seeing fewer customers. There is an ignorant idea that some how every person of Chinese descent is a carrier of  the corona virus.The virus is not discriminatory; it can  infect anyone. The outbreak did not cause racism; it just exposed what already was there. The pandemic just always racists to mask their behavior under the excuse of fear. Xenophobia occurs in response to nations that fear shifting demographics, immigration, lack of knowledge, or times of severe economic strain. The rise of China as a world power and the decline of the West has produced new version of xenophobia based around ethnonationalism. Certain communities in this view do not belong in a country that seeks to be racially pure. This explains why Chinese communities are being blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak. Scapegoating is a tactic used to distract from the real issue. Simultaneously, the outbreak can be used to further an anti-immigrant agenda and demonize non-white people. Xenophobic nativist nationalism has made blatant racism more acceptable and the sudden rise in anti-Chinese sentiment should not come as a surprise. There is a long history of various groups being blamed from diseases and outbreaks. Jews were scapegoated for the black plague , which caused mass progroms. The recent wave of anti-Chinese racism induced by coronavirus fears may not subside anytime soon.
       The pubic must have information about the coronavirus. Media  and the government have the potential to induce mass panic. Paranoia can become commonplace in such an atmosphere. The mass media and cable news in particular want ratings. The constant discussion and obsessive suggested measures only make people more anxious. Governments have the problem of not being transparent. President Donald Trump and President Xi Jingping are not fully open about the extent of damage the pandemic has done. The image these leaders want to project is being in control of the situation, when it may actually get worse. A combination of mass media hysteria and lack of government transparency has caused the world population to behave in irrational ways. The rapid consumption of hand sanitizer and cleaning products has become more prevalent. Stores may find it difficult to maintain products as people gather supplies. Some even refuse to shake hands anymore for  fear of catching the virus. Being scared or avoiding people entirely is not going to solve the current crisis. It only increases suspicion among people. There are practical measures in place that are more effective. Quarantines, travel bans,  and avoiding large public gatherings can low the spread of COVID-19. Simple acts such as washing your hands and avoid touching the face can also be helpful.

  
Staying home and recovering if you are sick is one the most pivotal pieces of public health advice. Some responses may be an overreaction. The Trump administration hinted at an internal travel ban within the United States. Some public schools and universities have cancelled classes out of fear of the pandemic. Public transportation systems have seen a decline in riders, because of the virus. A person who just sneezes induces panic in people. Coughs and sneezes do not always mean that COVID-19 is the culprit. Even with measures in place, the virus still has the ability  to mutate. A vaccine has not been produced, which means there are very few tools to fight the virus. The current public health measures could be moderately successful. It should be realized that they are not impenetrable. Trepidation about possible illness should not stop one from functioning. Misinformation tends to propagate faster than truth especially in the age of social media. Conspiracy theory already add to the culture of paranoia and panic. The most prevalent conspiracy theory is that COVID-19 is some type of bioweapon. The accusation is that China or Russia made a bioweapon and unleashed it on the world. This is not true, however some believe this. There exists no evidence that biological warfare is being conducted. If  this was an attack from China why would it be unleashed in Wuhan? The reason for these conspiracies is to encourage hatred or blame on certain nations. Combined with the public's weak knowledge of science and biology many people are absorbing misinformation. Besides having correct information, there needs to be officials that can explain it to the public. Medical professionals and virologists must do what they can to help people decipher incorrect information.
        The COVID-19 pandemic will change the way society will function. Even when the pandemic ends certain measures may remain due to misplaced fear. Screening for disease may become an excuse to keep immigrants out of  certain countries. Healthcare systems may figure out how to make even more profits at the expense of the population. The United States at the moment allows for free virus testing. A person still has to pay if they need treatment. The insurance companies at some stage will use pandemics for profit. A vaccine has not yet been produced and when one comes it may be too expensive for the less economically stable. The relations between people have been altered. Self isolation is necessary during pandemics. This could become more common due to paranoia. The culture of fear that has been built up over decades could reach a dramatic point. People may be less likely to interact or help one another. All over the world people are retreating into their own communities and not interacting with the wider world. Global civilization could be going backward. The world must update its healthcare systems to meet international public health challenges. The more disturbing prospect is that the world may suffer mass population loss. The current pandemic has not damaged the large amount of the total human population. The potential for losing control becomes greater with people's lack of medical access. Other measures such as paid sick leave and a universal healthcare system can prevent such a possibility of crisis. A pandemic should not used as a means of expanding a national security state. Police and armed forces in certain countries are already imposing quarantines and travel bans by force. Italy has done this making it hard for citizens to move from place to place. Germany could follow this as well as France. Governments use a crisis to restrict personal freedoms and basic human rights. Pandemic practices and restrictions may remain palce simply as a way for governments to  gain more power with limited oversight. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it and it will be permanent.