Rm 209, Liberal Arts Building
Fudan University
Shanghai, 200433
January 5, 2012
Editor XXX
Letter from readers
China D餐饮培训公司乔迁aily
Beijing, 100029sharply网站
Dear editor长春教育在线:
I am a student of Fudan University, majoring in physics. Recently I have read veral articles about the "China threat" theory, in which some claim that the ri of China is a threagladtomeetyou
t to the West, while others proclaim that China's rising is an opportunity. I am writing to convey my reflections on this issue.
There is no doubt that China has won acclaim for its significant economic and social achievements since the reform and opening-up. However, in the eyes of certain Western powers, China's ri pos a challenge to the traditional Western-dominated international order and geopolitical landscape. They e China’s every move—political, economic, military, and diplomatic—as threatening.
Actually the "China threat" theory is misleading and groundless. For example, the US scholar Lester Brown in his 1995 book Who Will Feed China? claims that China is a threat to global food curity. He indicates that China only has 7 percent of the world's farmland, while its population accounts for 21 percent of the world’s total. Therefore, Brown argues, the Chine cannot feed themlves and will surely cau a global food crisis. His argument does not stand up to scrutiny. However, spread by the US media, it caud quite a scare in the world东南大学自考专业 at that time. Twenty years on, China still maintains basi
c lf-sufficiency in grain and has not caud any "panic buying"天堂英语 in international grain markets. Even Brown himlf has admitted veral years ago that his conclusion was wrong.
Therefore, the real reason for the Western countries to propagate the "China threat" theory ems to be thatforma they are afraid that China will challenge the existing international status when it becomes stronger. The Western countries hope to restrict the ri of China by means of the "China threat" theory.
Indeed, the "China threat" theory, exaggerated by the Western countries for decades, produced a dual effect of containment and stimulation.
mldnOn the one hand, the "China threat" theory damaged the image of China and deterred the development pace of China. It deteriorated the surrounding environment of China to some extent and made China face a more complex international environment and withstand more external pressure.
On the other hand, as an impod power, the "China threat" theory strengthened China’s n of crisis and stimulated the ri and development of China. According to the "challenge-respon" theory of British historian Arnold J. Toynbee, the organism will instinctively produce a ries of effective respons in the face of challenges and ultimately promote its development.
The "China threat" theory has become a preferred tool in the domestic politics of some countries, and has become a power discour in the international community. Whenever some countries suffer from relevant domestic political issues, they often take the "China threat" 免费翻译软件theory as shields. For example, in the currently heated US presidential election, the "China threat" theory is the stock in trade of the Obama administration. Facing the "China threat" theory, we not only have to be calm and initiative, but also have to take the following effective measures.
Firstly, we should have a calm state of mind compatible with other dominant countries and pursue our own Chine dream. Secondly, we should continue to promote and intens
ify international cooperation. China depends on Asia and the world, as much as Asia and the world depend on China. She is directly tied to the US and therefore has no interest in a direct confrontation with her major competitor. Thirdly, we should build a favorable national image by winning the international discour right. Finally, we should follow the road of peaceful development and ensure the world that the ri of China is peaceful.
In a word, the fundamental way to offt the negative effects of the "China threat" theory is to vigorously develop China's national strength. Besides, we should concentrate on our own business so as to ride out the current critical period of development. By then, the "China threat" theory as a special historical symbol in China's development process will naturally fade away.
Sincerely,
XXX
