BOOK REVIEW: CHINA’S ASIAN DREAM

The book, “China’s Asian Dream: Empire Building Along the New Silk Road” by Tom Miller gives an overall analysis of how China makes efforts to maintain amicable relations, mostly with its neighboring countries. Most countries that are discussed in the book are also part of China’s Belt and Road initiative (BRI). Historically, China’s military might have helped it to gain control over neighboring countries. However, with the present rising aspirations of these countries and the globalisation wave, most of the countries have become interdependent. Due to China’s complicated political relations with its neighbours, China needs to create an image of being friendly and approachable. China has tried to do it using various measures. Their foreign policy and economic relations with these countries and most other countries in Asia have helped it to regain its powerful position in the continent. China’s development projects in other countries have helped it to create an image of a helpful neighbour. In this process, some of these countries, like Cambodia, have become overdependent on the investments from China. The book explains in detail, how gradually, China has entered these countries through the means of development projects and trade. Most countries today are dependent on Chinese goods as they are much more competitive globally. 

The author has also talked about his personal experiences. These experiences give the readers an insight into these places and how China’s influence has brought major changes to certain places mainly in terms of connectivity infrastructure. These changes have led to local citizens disapproving the Chinese investments and projects. The book explores how China has used its economic prowess to create a positive image in Asia, and through economic means, increase its influence efficiently.

The first chapter gives us an overall understanding of how the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) helped with furthering China’s BRI and the second chapter gives us an insight into the various cities and areas of China that have benefitted hugely due to high investments. This chapter also talks about how Chinese investments in their own country have helped these areas to change into a more Chinese settlement. One such area that has been described in the book is the region of Jinghong in Yunnan province. This area was previously dominated by Thai people. However, Chinese investments have led to the transformation of this city in such a manner that Thai population in this region have come under threat. Yunnan has the benefit of having good connections with not only other parts of China but also the countries of South-East Asia. These developments have allowed an increase in the population of Chinese in not only Yunnan but also in these South East Asian countries. 

Third chapter onwards, changes brought by Chinese investments several Southeast Asian countries have been discussed. South East Asian countries like Laos have experienced growth in the Chinese population. Udomxai, one of the biggest areas in Laos, has around 14 to 15% of Chinese residents. The increase in the Chinese population has led to a threat to Laos’ own culture and identity. The control Chinese have on Udomxai is not considered advantageous for the people of Laos and they fear the consequences. This chapter gave us a broad insight into how China influenced other countries. The Chinese have smartly used their economic and technological clout to influence other countries. China’s investments are mostly needed by its neighboring countries as they provide the cheapest investment services.  

The same chapter also gives us an insight into China’s relationship with Cambodia. Their relationship has been really strong and they have had good economic ties with each other. China has been helping Cambodia with its investment infrastructure projects. However, many countries fear the negative consequences brought by Chinese engagement. China has tried to use the projects that have started in Cambodia to its advantage. However, as the changes have intensified, many cities have been losing their cultural identity. The positive side of these investments is that Cambodia can receive them without any conditions like the ones that were placed by the Western institutions. Hence, China’s influence on the country is even more deepening and this makes it easier to gain control of them. China’s position largely depends on the recipient country whether their distinct cultural identity is their higher priority or the development projects. 

In the fourth chapter, China’s relations with Myanmar were discussed. Myanmar had a time when it was ruled by the military government. This military government of Myanmar needed a lot of support concerning arms and weapons. China had been providing Myanmar with the necessary materials for the effective functioning of its government. As the years passed, the government also changed. Myanmar was in no need of arms and weaponry as its government was no more under military control. This reduced the control China had over the government. The officials were not happy with being instructed by China. However, as Myanmar could not take help from the US due to the conditions they had placed, they continued to be supported by China despite regime change which has turned Myanmar into a reliable partner of China. 

The fifth chapter explores China’s relations with South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan. China and Pakistan have a very close relationship with China for many years. One example that was given of this in the book is of the Gwadar port. This port is the central point in developing the relationship between China and Pakistan. Gwadar Port in Pakistan has virtually become the Chinese port due to its contribution in developing this port. An economic corridor is also being planned by both the countries It is also believed that China is trying to have these relations as an answer to India’s relations with the US. 

Meanwhile, India’s diplomatic relations with the US have caused major problems for China. China believes that India and US relations will make India stronger than China itself, as currently is considered to be one of the emerging great powers in the world, and with the US on India’s side, India will receive a lot of support, both economically and militarily from the US and this will, in turn, challenge China’s power in Asia and the world. As a result, India and China have had many talks to improve their relations. In 2014, a state visit was conducted by President Xi Jinping to India where many agreements were signed between both the countries regarding various sectors like trade, commerce, railways, medicine, etc. However, as the book was written in 2016, it fails to incorporate recent developments in Sino-Indian relations which has transformed these relations drastically. 

Vietnam is another country that has not had an excellent relationship with China. Due to their complex history, the citizens of Vietnam are not very welcoming of China. China has seen a lot of potential to invest in Vietnam. The book mentions about how, even though Vietnam is not a supporter of China, inside Vietnam itself, there has been an influence of the Chinese communist ideology. Many Vietnamese themselves believe that, even though it is not favored by the citizens to support or encourage relations with China, it is definitely in their best interest to have amicable relations with them as China is a neighbour and it is safer for them to have good relations with their neigbours. Due to its geography, Vietnam is heavily dependent on China for electricity. Hence, even though, Vietnam has had a bitter past with China, they need to maintain good relations with China as they are dependent on that country for many of these services.    

The reason one should read this book is to understand how China has been using its strategies to find its way into the neighboring countries and transform local cities and regions to accommodate its policies and interests. This book gives us an insight into how China has mostly through economic means tried to gain control over some countries and how, through these means, it has made these countries overly dependent. The author has comprehensively examined every detail regarding how China has been expanding its dominance diplomatically, without using military or hard power. China’s economic growth needs to be seen from its trading partner’s point of view and this will allow us to better understand how China’s approach has been towards each country. The book gives us a very detailed yet simple understanding of China’s growing power and strategies in its neighbourhood.