Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2019 | Page 42

whilst prizing the foundations of Chinese tradition and culture (中学为体，西学为用) - a gradual, yet
effective paradigm shift. With the modernization of China, the West faces a formidable opponent that
continues to disrupt international polarity. Just last year, the Chinese navy has become the world’s largest,
comprising of more warships and submarines than the naval might of the United States - we see now the
resurgence of the strength of the Ming dynasty and its voyages. In fact, the ascendency of China has given
rise to admonitions by the international community regarding a ‘China threat’, whilst alternatively, China
itself maintains its position of ‘peaceful emergence’ In actuality, China’s rise marks an amalgamation of soft,
sharp and hard power approaches - as with the voyages.
With Xi Jinping's initiation of the BRI, many see elements reminiscent of the tributary system. Under the
shrouds of multilateralism and interconnectivity lies a potentially exploitative attempt to re-establish the
sinocentric world order - a scheme inherently geopolitical. As with the tributary system, what transpires is
an asymmetrical power system. Some claim the initiative to be a form of debt-trapping 24 ; this is in tandem
to further expansionist policies both continentally - throughout infrastructurally deprived regions - and
through maritime advancement 25 . Indeed, the Ming Treasure voyages - under the narrative of peaceful
expansion - legitimizes the development of maritime power, all for the benefit of the new leviathan by
name of China.
We must look carefully upon the political discourse of modern china and its purported ‘peaceful rise’. The
pretences of soft power in both the Ming Voyages and its facilitated tributary system remain a disingenuous
characterization. The international community must be weary in the face of the revitalized China, as its
unfettered ascendence harkens to the glory of the Ming Empire and its voyages. The ‘Chinese Dream’ will
be a dream no more. ‘Humiliation’ will be no more. A new hegemon emerges.
The world must act with prudence.
24
Those claiming thereof drawing attention to Sri Lanka, wherein white elephant projects are made in lieu
of true economic advancement. In 2017, as a result of indebtedness, Sri Lanka was forced to cede the
recently constructed Hambantota port on a 99-year lease
25
For example, the String of Pearls theory wherein China is increasingly controlling maritime choke points
along the Indian Ocean. Moreover, disputes in the South China Sea - Interestingly, China uses Zheng He’s
voyages as historical legitimization for their right to the area