From Plato’s idea of a “noble lie” to Ole Wæver and Barry Buzan’s “Securitization Theory,” these concepts encapsulate how societies, states, and international systems are shaped by constructing narratives to serve more significant political, religious, and ideological purposes.
In this context, we have seen the rise of the narrative of China as the enemy in the Western world since 2018. Around that time, the Western media, especially US media, started projecting China as their adversary. As a result, the narrative against China has transformed into a full-fledged securitized discourse, covering geopolitics, economics, and technology—all the sectors where the US feels threatened by China’s developments.
As a superpower, the US genuinely feels threatened by China’s increasing role and global significance in geopolitics, economics, and technology, as proved by the recent US mobilization in the Indo-Pacific, the supply of American weapons to Taiwan, and the Philippines reaffirming US geopolitical strategy against China. Similarly, the US and European countries imposed high tariffs on Chinese imports to curb competition. Innovative and globally successful companies like Huawei and TikTok were labeled as tools for espionage in the tech sector.
Historically, Sinophobia has been a persistent force in the West, adapting and evolving as needed. According to the University of Edinburgh, Sinophobia is the fear, intense dislike, or hatred of China and anything or anybody from China. Sinophobia originated from colonial ambitions and ideas of racial superiority and somewhat died down during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 reinvigorated Sinophobia as Western nations held China responsible for its global spread. There was a persistent campaign, both physical and online, against the Chinese people. These Sinophobic sentiments also affected other East Asian people. Furthermore, President Trump in 2020 frequently called the coronavirus the “Chinese” virus, culminating in hatred against the Chinese.
Although Sinophobia and the “China as a threat” discourse are intricately linked, they are nevertheless different. The China threat narrative is focused on the assumption that the Chinese nation-state, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is a security threat to the West and its sovereignty and must be countered. The West reached this conclusion due to several developments.
In the global economy, China’s leading role and influence through BRI have instigated fear in the ranks of the US and its allies. The Trump administration’s launching of the trade war resulted from this fear, leading to a wider range of tariffs on Chinese imports. The national security strategy documented China and Russia as threats to US security and prosperity. Updated in 2017, the strategy emphasizes the need to counter China’s growing influence and power. A survey conducted by the Chicago Council in September 2023 showed that 58% of Americans view China as a threat to their interest. This shift in perception, from viewing China as a strategic partner to a strategic competitor, has significantly impacted Sino-American relations.
Secondly, the transition of green vehicles in China has begun bearing fruits worldwide. China is one step ahead in this sector regarding its economic competitors. EVs are the future of transportation, and China is leading this sector. Analyzing this rise, the EU, the US, and some other countries have started creating tariff walls. In May 2024, Biden announced 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, which was 25% previously. Further, they plan to increase lithium battery tariffs from 7.5 % to 25%. Following the footsteps of the US, the EU also accused China of subsidization.
Moreover, China’s advancements in the tech industry, particularly in AI and 5G, have been a significant factor in the securitization of its rise. The rise of major tech companies such as Ali Baba and Tencent in the early 21st century has paved the way for China’s digital transformation. The successful integration of AI in the development sector is a testament to China’s leading tech industry. With over 4500 AI companies in 2024, China’s tech ecosystem is dynamic and forward-thinking. However, the US and the West have tried to restrict this transformation by limiting sophisticated technology transfer. They have also alleged potential cyber espionage, leading to restrictions on Huawei’s 5G infrastructure in the US, UK, and other Western countries.
Throughout history, the US has enjoyed superiority in the military domain. Whether in Naval or Airpower, the US was ahead of China in many respects. However, since 2019, the US has been sensing the fear of declining military superiority. That is because the PLA has emerged as a competitive, world-class military. The modernization of the Chinese military has led to concern in the US and its allies. Addressing the modern challenges, China aims to fully transform the PLA into a world-class force by 2049. According to the China Military Power Report 2023, it has deployed long-range artillery systems; naval ships increased to 370, including launching a third aircraft carrier. The 25th September test launch of an ICBM into the South Pacific Ocean is another testament to its military doctrine under execution.
The US has made several defense treaties with the regional allies to counter China’s growing regional influence. They are carrying out high-level consultations, including the recent summit under Biden. They agreed on integrated deterrence through which Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines can offer comprehensive strategies to maintain their influence. The US has deployed a midrange missile system in the Philippines for potential usage in any misadventure. Biden administration is strengthening the military arc alliance (Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Soloman Island). The rhetoric of China’s threat has increased the military spending of the US and its regional allies. China’s securitization has compelled Western countries to take extreme measures, including arms sales and technology transfers.
The securitization of China’s threat extends even to its soft power. China’s trio of initiatives, such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which are purposed to bring peace through development, are assumed to be detrimental to the existing global order. The Confucius institutes are depicted as China’s propaganda machine. Moreover, the loans provided to African and some Asian countries are projected as the “debt trap diplomacy.” Such narratives are instrumental in executing the securitization of China.
In essence, the threat from China is constructed through securitization and framed as an existential multifaceted threat to the interests of the US and its allies. The sole purpose of such narratives by securitizing agents is to justify their extreme measures, ranging from military actions to economic sanctions. Since such narratives not only influence people but also have the potential to bring adversaries to the brink of war, keeping such notions mostly exacerbates regional tension and compels the regional players to align their policies with foreign hegemons, absorbing their sovereign choices.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift
The author is a freelance writer pursuing his M.Phil. in international relations from National Defence University, Islamabad. His research interests focus on China's regional politics and foreign policy, where he seeks to deepen his understanding of geopolitical dynamics and their global implications.