The 14th Annual NPC Session: What Could Be the Possible Ramifications Arising Among Like-Minded Countries?
Background: What Does it Mean in China’s Foreign
Outreach
Amidst
economic cum emerging geopolitical challenges, the two sessions have witnessed
the attendance of delegates from various companies, ministries, and businesses,
making this an event filled with state-based socialist future planning while
even keeping the private sector under the loop. Moreover, Xi Jinping’s tenure as the Chinese Communist Party
(CCP) Chairman hasn’t been a full stop, but he has tried to make his tenure
without bounds. Hence, the CCP is laying out a framework to mitigate various
challenges and infringements in the Party structure and also to deploy new quality productive forces in a
multifaceted manner.
The Communist state isn’t
leaving any stone unturned to further her nationalist policy of socialist
characteristics. In this 14th Annual NPC Meet, various institutions laid out
their outline regarding future action in internal as well as external security,
where Premier Li Qiang presented the achievements and challenges Beijing
overcame after the Zero Covid Policy restrictions and its further economic
ramifications.
State
Restriction: A Closed-Door Strategy
Further, global freedom and
expression ratings vis-à-vis a free Beijing may not seem favorable with Freedom House ratings highlighting,
‘Beijing not being free.’ The statistics penned about freedom being restricted
in expression, opinion, free speech, functioning of government etc. So, a sharp
strategy is being adopted to thwart dissenters along with foreign agents.
In the midst of the upcoming event in Tiananmen
Square, Premier Qiang presented an optimistic global outlook and work on
resetting business and trade with multiple foreign companies who at a time when
China’s economy will be at 5 per cent , as opined and mentioned by the
Economist and 12 million jobs are supposed to be created in urban areas to
tackle the repercussions Beijing has faced due to foreign trust deficit along
with a rapid Sinophobia emerging in Asia.
Considering the security
situation, multiple checks will be carried out to ensure censorship, maintenance
of law and order. Commercial drones have been barred alongside frequent parcel
checks being done. Even, sharing information to journalists have also been debarred,
making information access securitized.
Moreover, in order to
reduce technological dependence on the West, Premier Li intends to allure
foreign investors and chip companies to come and create a level playing field
to mitigate the already slowed economic growth. Productivity maybe laid
emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, climate technologies alongside life
sciences. Nevertheless, most of the credits may go to President Xi , a passive
authoritarian who may envy anyone getting limelight, given their active
participation and continuous call for Chinese Modernization taken by him Premier Li
highlighting the achievements under the 14th Five Year Plan.
Perception of Stakeholders in
the Indo-Pacific
Meanwhile, at this juncture, various countries
are trying to decouple themselves from a China led front and forming groupings
and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Instances that could be looked at, maybe New Delhi’s strategic overture towards Republic
of Korea , in view of FM Jaishankar’s recent
Seoul visit and India-France Office Consultations and discussions on
Non-Proliferation cum emergence of threats emanating from AI and future
technology . Multilaterals have frequently been taking place in the recent past
among like-minded partners, who aim to collaborate towards mustering a
rule-based order and respecting traditional norms underlined in International
Law.
Looking at such examples
taking place in the background of the meeting, the future instance of a Beijing-led
global order will remain oblique. Partnerships may be a key to maintaining the status
quo in the Indo Pacific in view of such developments. In the case of India,
that cannot compromise on her boundaries along with a set national security mindset,
where a win-win approach may be unlikely in the near future.
A security dilemma may have
emerged in the thought of the CCP’s global outreach where the ongoing maritime
dispute with Manila hasn’t witnessed any positive breakthrough, seeing the
lashings and denial in the tone of Foreign Minister of PRC and even, technological
competition with the U.S. over semiconductor or intelligence hasn’t witnessed
positive results, furthering soar mutual suspicions. Technological Deterrence
must be the key to focus and discussion for various states and non-state actors
whose collaboration in the Indo Pacific could be a hedging option, keeping view
of selfish geopolitical ambitions and great power struggle going further upend.
Author Bio: Vineet Malik is a member of the Consortium of Indo-Pacific
researchers.
He has completed his Master’s in International Relations from O.P Jindal Global
University, India.
Disclaimer:
Views are personal.