——Victory over fascism to shared prosperity
By Lt Gen Naeem Lodhi, Retired, Ex Pak Army
Short Historical Context.
The Nationalists and Communists in China had a checkered history of confrontation and collaboration, under changing environment. The good aspect was that against external aggressors for common interests and objectives, they always joined hands. This brings out an important character of Chinese civilisation.
Though Japan’s pre WW 2 aggression against China started in 1931,but it converted into full blown military confrontation by 1937. Due to well organised forces and better weaponry, backed by advanced industrial complex, Japan had some early breakthroughs, and they succeeded in capturing important coastal regions. However the combined resistance by Nationalists and Communists blocked the Imperial Japan’s advances from going deep into the heartland except at few places.
The Pearl Harbour incident and America’s induction in the Great War, was a respite for Chinese Forces and Japanese onslaught was decisively halted. After complete Allied Victory over Germany and Japan, China was a part of the victorious side.
Just after the termination of WW 2, civil war erupted in China , resulting in the victory of Communists under the great leadership of Chairman Mao , and China started its journey of progress after 1949. And till today our great friend China is swiftly rising in all fields to claim the status of compatible super power. And we are proud of our relationship.
Evolving Character of Modern China
Nations confronted with long internal strifes and external aggressions by Imperial Forces, normally turn bitter and offensive in their mood. Had it happened that way with China, world would have taken it as a normal psychological reaction. But Lo and behold surprisingly a totally different thought was brewing in the great minds of Chinese Leadership. And the new philosophy flowered in full bloom under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the greatest political leader of present era. And what is new and different in this worldview ?
The Greatness of China instead of degenerating into hubris or bullying, as we have witnessed in case of another great power, it blossomed into the positive thinking of benevolence, sharing and extended prosperity, in short called Shared Community. The great practical initiatives of Chinese leadership have exhibited a totally different approach towards the world politics, economy and security.
Instead of Machiavellian narrow national interests the world has been introduced to a new philosophy of shared collective interests of the humanity. And we have all heard of the world infrastructure development (BRI , CPEC etc), Shared prosperity, collective security, conflict resolution initiatives, and to top it all Global Civilisation Initiative, clearly challenging the Huntington’s Clash of Civilisations theory.
A new world order is evolving, affording great opportunities to oppressed and subdued nations and peoples, to emancipate themselves from the shackles of decaying but still exploitative political and economic structures. Following are the likely end results of the newly introduced philosophy by the Chinese leadership :-
1. There is no End of History as Fukuyama professed. There are alternatives to Western Democracy and ruthlessly exploitative Capitalism .
2. Human race continues to evolve and there is no end to its intellectual horizons and progress.
3. Clash of Civilisations was an artificial construct created for the continued domination of certain self serving powers. Civilisations can actually coexist or even merge partially, embracing each other’s virtues and positive habits.
4. Narrow National, Institutional and Individual Interests ( Machiavellian Concept ), can be expanded to cover larger common interests of humanity, that may eliminate many conflicts and unnecessary wars.
The Critical Phase and The Future
We have all heard of Thucydides Trap Phenomenon, that warns of a conflict between an existing Great Power and a Rising Challenger, with a high probability of converting into a physical clash. But the unprecedented technical advancements, a part of which can be converted, and are being converted, into devastating weaponry, should caution the discerning minds of the catastrophic outcomes of the physical clashes between the titans. Probably that is why big powers seem to be avoiding direct confrontations. But by waging proxy wars or fighting indirectly through surrogates is a dangerous brinkmanship.
Secondly whenever a new potent idea appears and challenges the existing systems and theories, there is always a big reaction. We hope and pray that all such reactions to newly embraced Chinese Philosophy of Shared Community and Global Progress, remain in the domain of intellectual debates, where they are likely to be defeated on merit and logic. Thus humanity embraces the fresh new thoughts and marches towards a collective shining future.
Conclusion
It is suggested that rather than combatting the brand new Chinese Philosophy (Shared Prosperity and Community, Global Civilisation , etc), human race should be grateful to Chinese Philosopher Political Leadership for ushering a brand new attitude and orientation professing shared and collective welfare and wellbeing, enveloping the entire globe and all peoples and nations.
We must understand the potency of this idea, high probability of its success, and stand with this great country,China, so that we all progress and succeed together. Pakistan is proud of our special relationship with such a great Nation.
Long Live Pak China Friendship !
