ETVT China is now a superpower

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

A superpower is a state that possesses the ability to project major power across the global military, economic, political and cultural dimensions.

Question 2

Economic superpower-

Answer 2

For- China is a super power

Worlds 2nd largest economy ($19T, 2024), projected to be largest by 2035.

30% of global manufacturing output; central to global supply chains.

Dominant in 5G, AI, biotech, EVs — companies: Huawei, Tencent, BYD.

Made in China 2025 plan → strategic investment in high-tech sectors to make China a. Global leader in high value industries and challenge the US

Largest trading partner for 120+ countries; can leverage this politically (e.g. Hungary within EU).

Against: China is not yet a superpower

Economic vulnerabilities: high debt (280% of GDP), ageing population, slowing growth (<5% in 2023).
Lacks US structural advantages: USD = 60% global reserves → US global financial dominance.
US global brands & soft power: 7/10 top brands are American (Amazon, Apple, Google, Tesla).
Conclusion: lacks full US-style economic foundations but already has enough economic power to be a superpower.

Question 3

Military power -

Answer 3

for: China is a superpower

• 230B defence budget (2024), world’s 2nd largest.
  PLA modernised:
  Largest navy (by ship count).
  Advanced missile tech → hypersonic + ballistic missiles.
  Regional assertiveness:
  Militarising S. China Sea → critical for shipping routes + regional control.
  Artificial islands = military bases.
  Latent power → huge population (1.4B) = mobilisation potential.

Against: China is not yet a superpower

US military dominance:
$877B budget (2023).
700+ global bases vs China’s <5.
Capability gap:
US global expeditionary reach → unmatched logistics, navy, air power.
Tech, training, battlefield experience → US decades ahead.
China no large-scale military ops → untested compared to US.

Conclusion: inability to project power globally = key reason why China not yet a military superpower.

Question 4

Geopolitical power and alliances -

Answer 4

For- china is a superpower

Allies - Russia, Iran, N. Korea → economic + military cooperation.
Iran → 90% oil exports to China.
Shared goal → reduce US global influence.
Belt & Road Initiative (BRI):
140+ countries joined.
Deepens economic ties + strategic influence.
Infrastructure funded by Chinese loans → leverage.
Example: CPEC (China-Pakistan) → highways, energy → alt oil routes + political leverage over Pakistan.
Against: China is not yet a superpower

Weak alliance network vs US:
US leads NATO (30 states) + Indo-Pacific alliances (Japan, SK, Australia).
Deep alliances w/ UK, France, Germany, Japan → far more powerful bloc than China’s partners.
China’s alliances often transactional:
Accused of “debt-trap diplomacy” → e.g. Sri Lanka Hambantota Port.
Reputational damage:
Aggressive S. China Sea actions + Uyghur repression.
Alienating countries → e.g. India now wary post-Himalayan clashes.
Conclusion: China growing global influence, but lacks deep, trusted alliances → not yet full superpower geopolitically.

Question 5

Conclusion -

Answer 5

China = economic superpower already.
Significant military + geopolitical power, but:
No global military reach.
No deep alliance network.
Therefore → not yet a full superpower → US remains hegemon due to military dominance + global alliances + structural economic power.