As I grow older, I look at our young people and feel a deep desire to do everything in my power to alert them to the dangers ahead. I have confidence that if they go forward with their eyes wide open, they will be prepared for their inevitable challenges. A grave one facing them currently is from China. As I say this, I think of the Soviet Union’s threat, and that we overcame it with dedicated leadership and patriotic determination. In the same way, our young people will surmount the China challenge if they take it seriously. Allow me to explain.
Two decades ago, my wife, Patricia, and our son, Benjamin, spent about a month in China as part of a national newspaper organization. We received a warm welcome from the Chinese people. This was in the time frame when America extended its hand of friendship to China, hoping to integrate them into a peaceful and free world order. The free world welcomed them into the World Trade Organization and granted them a prime position at the United Nations. Little did we know then that they would become our rival.
Prior generations gave us what we have;
we will do no less for our children.
In the following decades, China experienced unimaginable prosperity and growth. We hoped that as their people relished newfound freedoms and prosperity, the heavy hand of the Communist Party would gradually loosen its grip. Sadly, we find ourselves witnessing a complete reversal. The Communist Party is now more determined than ever to become the world’s dominant economic and military power. Their military budget has been growing rapidly for years and offers a clear indication of their warlike aspirations.
Let us not forget that China is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), not democratically by its 1.4 billion inhabitants. This distinction is crucial because the CCP has demonstrated a blatant disregard for human life and international laws. Tiananmen Square serves as a stark reminder of their willingness to commit mass murder of their own citizens when their control is challenged. In contrast to us, China does not respect human life and individual freedoms.
To maintain its iron grip, the CCP employs millions of individuals whose sole purpose is to surveil and control many aspects of their citizens’ lives. This level of control should raise alarm bells for all of us who cherish our freedoms.
Some experts believe that there is an 80% likelihood that China will achieve its goal of becoming the world’s dominant power by 2049. This raises a critical question: If China increasingly restricts our access to open sea lanes through their growing navy, what implications will this have for us and the rest of the world? Will we become subservient to their desires? Will our lives be dictated by an authoritarian regime, much like the lives of the Chinese people today? The answer to these questions lies in our response to China’s blatant threat.
We need only look at Ukraine’s response to Russian aggression to find hope. Despite being a smaller nation facing a formidable adversary, Ukraine did not succumb to predictions of a swift defeat. Instead, they pushed strongly back.
Personally, I choose to remain optimistic. I refuse to accept the notion that China is destined to dominate. History has shown us that oppressed people will not remain oppressed forever. The human spirit thrives on freedom, and just as the Soviet Union was ultimately overthrown, I believe that the Chinese people will find a way to liberate themselves from the Communist Party’s oppressive rule.
In the face of China’s rising threat, it is my hope that America will stand united with our allies. At enormous cost, prior generations have given us what we have, and I believe that we will do no less for our children, and that they will rise to the challenge.
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From the Bible: A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 22:3
