It is no secret that China is the Biden Administration’s number one foreign policy challenge. Despite intense international backlash, China has demonstrated time and time again that it has no regard for human rights or international rule of law, and is unwilling to back down in its pursuit for global power. This week, the articles we have summarized focus on the Chinese competition the US is facing on an economic front, in its very own Western Hemisphere, and on a military front as China rapidly develops its military capabilities. Furthermore, we review key political events in Central Europe that have underlined the fragility of the rule of law in Europe.

Why China Is Alienating the World

Peter Martin, Foreign Affairs

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China is facing a record level of international backlash as its aggressive foreign policy has sparked antagonism. Despite this, China seems to be eschewing its traditional adaptive policy in favor of a more rigid, monolithic approach. The “Wolf Warrior” diplomats are clearly a byproduct of this mentality, with pugilistic representatives using inflammatory rhetoric to create an impression of Chinese strength.  Even as key international relationships deteriorate, China seems unwilling to adjust its tone or approach to preserve its standing. Instead, it demands its counterparts make concessions to restart dialogues. Some analysts see Beijing’s overconfidence as the root of the issue; after the 2008 financial crisis, the CCP considered its system to be validated by its swift response to the meltdown. Coupled with a perceived decline in the West and an ambitious leader in Xi, it is not surprising that China has been unwilling to back down. Even if the tone of China’s foreign policy were to cool off, the domestic policy of the Xi administration undermines China’s nationalist rhetoric as human rights violations and crackdowns contradict China’s message that it deserves the lead role on the world stage.

Biden Aims to Challenge China in Latin America With B3W

Frida Ghitis, World Politics Review

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In his annual update to Congress earlier this year, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, Adm. Craig Faller said Latin America was the “front line” of US competition with China. China has quickly expanded its influence in the Western Hemisphere through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The trade partnerships China has entered into under the BRI with 19 countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region have become increasingly intertwined with China’s strategic interests. There are several instances where Beijing has coerced its Latin American partners to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan and adopt Chinese-built 5G infrastructure. The Biden administration aims to challenge China’s growing influence in the region through the Build Back Better (B3W) initiative, a parallel program that seeks to improve global infrastructure and raise living standards. B3W will formally launch next year, but preparations are underway to make Latin America and the Caribbean the key region of the strategy, as evidenced by the visits of high-level US officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, to several countries. Washington and its Group of Seven (G7) partners are promoting B3W by placing emphasis on the very things China’s BRI has been criticized for. In contrast with Chinese projects, the B3W seeks to find areas of genuine need, places an emphasis on transparency, and respects environmental considerations and labor protections. At the same time, the contrasts the US is highlighting between the B3W and the BRI are often reasons why Latin American countries have been successfully persuaded by China to enter into investment partnerships. China is far less concerned with transparency, environmental impact, human rights, etc., and its lack of requirements for investing can be quite appealing, particularly for corrupt politicians that also have a lack of regard for such things. However, the B3W will offer a unique type of economic investment that respects the interests of local communities and creates sustainable development, leading to long-term prosperity and stability which is a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Central Europe shows rule of law is Europe’s central problem

Ben Hall, Financial Times

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Three major political events in central Europe are highlighting a growing issue in Europe: upholding the rule of law. In Poland, the constitutional tribunal announced that major elements of EU law relating to judicial independence are incompatible with the Polish constitution. In the Czech Republic, the majority of voters supported the center-right opposition against their prime minister Andrej Babis who has been accused of fraud. In Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stepped down after being named as a suspect in a corruption probe which is investigating alleged government payments for favorable media coverage. Historically, the European Commission (EC) has handled rule of law breaches lightly, fearing escalation could tie up European decision-making. However, some governments and the European Parliament have increased pressure on the EC to toughen up and withhold European Union funding. The three events are perfect examples of an ongoing, fundamental issue facing the European bloc: “Without the rule of law, you can have neither democracy nor a framework for fighting against corruption.”

NATO Broadens Strategic Objectives as China’s Hypersonic Missile Launch Catches US Intelligence Off-Guard

Nato To Expand Focus To Counter Rising China

Roula Khalaf and Henry Foy, Financial Times

China Tests New Space Capability With Hypersonic Missile

Demetri Sevastopulo, Financial Times

China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile has amplified the conversation about military competition between NATO and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg stated that while China is not an “adversary,” it nonetheless shapes the organization’s thinking on defense.  Stoltenberg further elaborated that NATO’s new Strategic Concept, the overarching doctrine of the organization’s labors, will pivot away from Russia and towards China, a shift that has met with resistance from members in Eastern Europe. The move would involve an increased focus on the domestic security of NATO-aligned countries as China ramps up its long-range arsenal. The aforementioned hypersonic missile test was a jarring wake-up call for many in the intelligence community, with one analyst going so far as to say, “we have no idea how they did this.” Hypersonic weapons pose a unique threat to conventional missile-defense systems due to their lower trajectories and maneuverability. With China currently unbound by any arms-control deals and unwilling to come to the table on the issue, the US is increasingly concerned by the PLA’s rapid development, with some urging the Biden administration to modernize and develop the US’s nuclear arsenal. Department of Defense Press Secretary John Kirby stated, “We have made clear our concerns about the military capabilities China continues to pursue… That is one reason why we hold China as our number-one pacing challenge.”