I N T R E P X

Chapter 11 of “Folly and Glory” by Tim Weiner focuses on the emergence of China as a global superpower and the profound implications of this shift for the United States and the international order. As the U.S. navigated the challenges of the post-9/11 world and the Global War on Terror, China was quietly rising on the global stage, transforming itself from a developing nation into a formidable economic and military power. This chapter explores the strategic competition between the U.S. and China, the complexities of their relationship, and the broader geopolitical realignments in the 21st century.

1. China’s Economic Transformation and Global Ambitions:
Weiner begins by tracing China’s rapid economic growth from the late 20th century into the early 21st century, highlighting the country’s remarkable transformation under the leadership of the Communist Party. Through market reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping, China opened up to foreign investment, embraced manufacturing, and became the world’s factory, driving an economic boom that lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty.

As China’s economy grew, so too did its global ambitions. Weiner details how China leveraged its economic power to expand its influence worldwide, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aimed to build infrastructure and deepen trade ties across Asia, Africa, and Europe. This strategy allowed China to project its influence far beyond its borders, challenging the existing U.S.-led global order.

2. The U.S. Response to China’s Rise:
The chapter explores the evolving U.S. response to China’s ascent, which initially focused on integrating China into the global economy and encouraging it to become a “responsible stakeholder” in international affairs. However, as China’s ambitions became more assertive, particularly in its military modernization and territorial claims in the South China Sea, the U.S. began to view China as a strategic competitor.

Weiner discusses the shift in U.S. policy toward China under successive administrations, from engagement and cooperation to a more confrontational stance, particularly during the Trump administration. The U.S. imposed tariffs, sought to counter China’s technological advancements, and challenged its territorial claims, signaling a significant pivot in bilateral relations.

3. Military Modernization and the Strategic Balance:
Weiner highlights China’s significant investments in modernizing its military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This modernization included advancements in naval capabilities, missile technology, cyber warfare, and space operations, aimed at countering U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and securing China’s interests.

China’s growing military power, combined with its assertiveness in regional disputes, particularly in the South and East China Seas, has heightened tensions with the U.S. and its allies. Weiner examines how the U.S. has responded by strengthening alliances in the region, conducting freedom of navigation operations, and increasing its military presence in Asia, all aimed at maintaining the strategic balance and deterring Chinese aggression.

4. Technological Competition and the Battle for Innovation:
Another key aspect of U.S.-China competition covered in this chapter is the race for technological supremacy. Weiner explores how both nations are vying for dominance in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. China’s state-led approach to innovation, characterized by significant government investment and industrial espionage, poses a direct challenge to the U.S.’s traditionally private-sector-driven innovation ecosystem.

The chapter details U.S. efforts to counter China’s technological rise, including restrictions on Chinese tech companies like Huawei, efforts to protect intellectual property, and initiatives to boost domestic technology sectors. Weiner argues that this technological competition is not just about economic leadership but also about setting the standards and norms for the technologies that will shape the future global order.

5. Ideological and Political Rivalry:
Beyond economic and military competition, Weiner explores the ideological and political dimensions of U.S.-China rivalry. He discusses how China’s authoritarian model, characterized by state control, censorship, and surveillance, contrasts sharply with the democratic values espoused by the United States. This ideological divide has become a focal point of their competition, with each side promoting its model as superior.

Weiner examines how China’s rise has emboldened it to challenge U.S. influence in international institutions, such as the United