Understanding China’s Critique: “US Hegemony and Its Perils”

In February 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) released a significant report titled “US Hegemony and Its Perils.” This document serves as a comprehensive and sharp critique of what China perceives as the United States’ detrimental global influence across various domains. The report aims to expose the “abuse of hegemony” by the U.S. and draw international attention to its negative consequences for world peace and stability.

Key Arguments from the Report:

Introduction Overview:

The report asserts that since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has acted boldly to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, pursue and abuse hegemony, promote subversion, and willfully wage wars, causing significant harm to the international community. It claims the U.S. employs a “hegemonic playbook” that includes staging “color revolutions,” instigating regional disputes, and launching wars under the guise of promoting democracy, freedom, and human rights. The report accuses the U.S. of clinging to a Cold War mentality, engaging in bloc politics, and overstretching the concept of national security to impose unilateral sanctions and control. It also criticizes the U.S. for selectively applying international law and rules to serve its own interests while claiming to uphold a “rules-based international order.”

I. Political Hegemony—Throwing Its Weight Around:

• Interference in Internal Affairs: Allegations of U.S. interference, including a “Neo-Monroe Doctrine” in Latin America, “color revolutions” in Eurasia (e.g., Georgia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan), and the “Arab Spring” in West Asia and North Africa, leading to chaos.
• Imposing Values and Systems: Argument that the U.S. arbitrarily judges other countries’ democracies and fabricates a false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism” to incite division.
• Double Standards: Accusations of applying double standards on international rules, prioritizing self-interest, and placing domestic law above international law, often withdrawing from international treaties.

II. Military Hegemony—Wanton Use of Force:

• History of Violence and Expansion: Stating that U.S. history is characterized by violence and expansion, citing examples like the slaughter of Native Americans and frequent wars.
• Frequent Wars and Interventions: Assertion that the U.S. frequently launches wars and interferes to establish a “Pax Americana,” seen as a unipolar world.
• Global Military Presence and Alliances: Criticism of the U.S.’s vast network of military bases and alliances worldwide as tools for maintaining supremacy.
• Humanitarian Disasters: Highlighting devastating humanitarian consequences of U.S. military actions, including civilian casualties and long-term instability (e.g., Iraq, Afghanistan).

III. Economic Hegemony—Looting and Exploitation:

• Dollar Hegemony: Describing the U.S. dollar as the “main source of instability and uncertainty in the world,” used to impose sanctions and manipulate global markets.
• Economic Coercion: Accusing the U.S. of using economic coercion, such as sanctions and trade wars (e.g., “Chip 4 alliance”), to suppress competitors.
• Unfair Practices: Criticism for protectionist policies, “long-arm jurisdiction,” and abuse of export controls, disrupting global supply chains.

IV. Technological Hegemony—Monopoly and Suppression:

• Monopoly and Suppression: Asserting that the U.S. seeks to maintain technological supremacy by monopolizing high-tech fields and suppressing other countries’ development.
• Weaponizing Technology: Accusations of politicizing and weaponizing technological issues, implementing export controls, and imposing sanctions (e.g., Huawei).
• Cyber Attacks and Surveillance: Allegations of widespread cyber attacks and surveillance on other countries, violating international law.

V. Cultural Hegemony—Spreading False Narratives:

• Cultural Infiltration: Claiming the U.S. spreads its values and culture globally through various channels to influence public opinion.
• Disinformation and Smear Campaigns: Accusations of using disinformation to attack other countries and engaging in smear campaigns.
• Control of International Media: Suggestion that the U.S. exerts undue influence over international media outlets to shape narratives.

The report concludes by calling on the U.S. to “conduct a serious soul search,” abandon its hegemonic practices, and promote genuine multilateralism. It urges the U.S. to contribute to world peace and development instead of creating division and conflict. The overall message is that U.S. hegemony is a peril to global peace, stability, and the well-being of all peoples, and that a more equitable and multipolar world order is needed.

Download the Full Report: US Hegemony and Its Perils (Chinese MFA)

Please note: The link above directs to the official English version of the report on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.