Country Report: China
- Introduction
Since the time of the early civilizations, China has remained to be permanent actor in the development of practices, traditions, and history throughout the globe. From being traders from the East, the Chinese had been able to keep up with development and be one of the world’s leading actors in politics and economy today. However, while the nation is known for its steady economic development and growing political power, China is also known for its still communist roots and the potential impact it has over its neighboring countries. The international community, especially the United States, is also weary at the high crime and terrorism activities in several parts of the country, especially in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in Northern China. China’s current problems regarding its criminal and terrorism rates causes concern to the United States as it is likely to interrupt bilateral relations between the two nations and may impact America’s safety and security if cooperation between nations is not attained.
- Geography
China is currently considered one of the largest countries in the world according to McColl (2005), encompassing almost 3.6 million square mi or 9.6 million square km. The country’s borders reaches up to 22,117 km from Afghanistan to Vietnam, also covering the territories of Hongkong and Macau. Given its landmass, China is blessed with diverse terrains of deserts, forests, mountain ranges, river basins, plateaus, grasslands and even rich plains to sustain the country’s population and further development. Cultivated lands of the country reach up to 1.3 million square km or almost 9% of the world’s total cultivated lands, located in the North plains, which then produces the largest amount of wheat, corn, sugar beets and flax. Cotton and millet are also cultivated within the Northern territories while Rice is planted within the Middle-Lower territories due to the abundance of lakes and rivers. China, given these rich lands and waters, was even nicknamed “land of fish and rice” and the land which produces “tea and silk worms”. The Sichuan Basin, on the other hand, was called the “land of plenty” for its capacity to produce crops for the entire year. Forests cover at least 621,000 square mi, most found in the Yunnan Province. The land is also blessed with natural resources that contributed to the economic development of the country. At least 158 different minerals have been recorded by geologists to be located in the region, 10 being energy-related minerals, 54 metallic materials and 91 nonmetallic minerals now used in China’s numerous industries.
In terms of its coastline and maritime territories, China has almost 1,500 rivers: located mostly in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and in the Tibetan Plateau. Two of China’s longest rivers, Yangzi or Changjiang and Yellow or Huang Rivers, also served as China’s trade routes and source of irrigation for its lush lands and mineral deposits. Heilongjiang, Zhujiang and the five rivers connected by the Grand Canal had also extended throughout the land, providing almost perfect conditions for any type of venture: domestic, industrial, agricultural or fishing. The climate conditions of the country had also enabled China to prosper from both its north and southern terrains .
- People
According to the CIA World Factbook (2013), China currently has a population of over 1,349,585,838 people scattered in 21 provinces, 5 autonomous regions (including Hong Kong and Macau) and 4 special municipal districts. Due to the large expanse of land of the nation, China’s major cities of Shanghai (the largest), Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Xi’an, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Shenyang and Shenzen host almost 14.7 million or so people in these regions. Most of the people in China are Han Chinese, comprising almost 91.5% of the entire population while the remaining percentage are other nationalities and Chinese minorities. In recent years, refugees have also flocked China given its closeness to the countries of Vietnam and North Korea. Almost 300,897 Vietnamese and 50,000 North Koreans are located in China since 2011, which is often a cause of concern both for the Chinese government and the international community given the high probability of crimes and health concerns on where these refugees stay. Mandarin is the major language practiced in China, however, in several regions, they can practice Cantonese, Shanghainese, Fuzhou, Hokkien, and other minority languages in the country. Since the country competes with other developing nations and having the largest population in the globe, China is highly urbanized and at the same time, enabling literacy to happen to almost 92.2% of the entire population. In terms of health, the Chinese battles diseases such as encephalitis, bacterial diarrhea and typhoid fever; with a few rare cases of the H1N1 strain of the avian flu. The country spends almost 5.1% of its GDP to health, aiding in the improvement of drinking water sources and sanitation facilities.
- Government
As noted above, China is one of the few states that practices Communism in the globe, influencing its relationship with the international community, especially with the United States. China had declared its establishment as the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, replacing the Qin Dynasty on January 1, 1912. The constitution and legal system of the country is influenced by both Soviet communist and European civil law systems, which has been revised since December 4, 1982. The executive branch is divided into the chief of state and the head of the government: President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Kequiang. A state council represents the cabinet of the executive branch under the powers of the National People’s Congress. It is also the NPC who elects the president and vice president that will rule for a five-year term while the premier is nominated by the president with the blessing of the NPC. Under the legislative branch, the NPC or the Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui handles all legislative functions for five years. It is also noted that only the approved members of the Chinese Communist Party and its allies are allowed to take part in the legislative assembly. The judicial branch, on the other hand, is handled by the Supreme People’s Court and lead by a chief justice appointed by the People’s National Congress. China is currently a part of several international organizations such as the UN, ASEAN, IMF and the ICC; aiding in several UN missions since its membership.
- Military
Like the United States, China boasts a comprehensive military system that comprises the People’s Liberation Army. Under the PLA are its Navy forces (PLAN, that also controls marine and naval aviation troops), Air Force (Zhongguo Renmin Jiefangjun Kongjun), and the Second Artillery Corps (handling strategic missile launches). Local security is sustained by the People’s Armed Police and even the PLA Reserve Force. Chinese citizens are required to have at least 2 years of military service once they reach 18-24 years old. Women who are aged 18-19 can even enter in military jobs as long as they have the qualifications necessary to handle such positions. There are at least 600 or so million people within China fit enough to do military service, constantly being added by almost 19 million annually. In this end, China is also seen as a powerful military entity in the Asian region as it can either aid the international action or support its allies if it sees international events that may challenge its interests. The United States sees China’s military capacity a benefit in its goal to have each nation fit for counter-terrorism efforts.
- International Issues
China currently has several transnational or international issues that is a cause for concern in the international community and in the United States as it affects several of its allies and position within the region. As per the disputes, China is currently influencing all ends of its territories against or for its neighbors. The first dispute it has is with the Kashmir territories as India does not recognize China’s control over Pakistan’s end of the Kashmir lands. Currently, both India and China are under foreign and security policy dialogues since 2005 to discuss the militarize boundary of both countries and other issues that would sustain Kashmir. It is also in conflict with Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan over the Spratly Islands within the South China Sea despite the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as China constantly asserts its power within the region by constructing bases and other facilities in several islands and utilize its naval forces to protect their ‘contested’ territories. Japan is also contesting against China regarding the Senkaku-Shoto or the Daioyu Tai islands and the East China Sea lines for exploration and exploitation. Russia, North Korea, Tajikistan, Vietnam and Burma are also in dispute with China, mostly on their territories and boundaries.
With regards to illicit drugs, China became a safe haven for both locals caught in the crossfire of drug syndicates from neighboring regions and for the Chinese syndicates. According to the CIA reports in 2008, China is the major transshipment point for the largest quantity of heroin to be shipped in the Southeast Asian territories, making Chinese syndicates the ringleaders behind the drug trades within Southeast Asian territories. China is also the producer of the country’s supply of synthetic drugs and heroin that also encompasses Southwest Asia. Many nations also get their methamphetamine precursors from China. Zhang (2012) stated that China, with the help of the UN, US, UK, Japan and Russia, is slowly launching measures to stop the illegal drug trade in the region by establishing the Shanghai Opium Commission (1909) and other actions to stop illicit drugs from transferring throughout the region. China, according to the National Narcotics Commission currently has a worsening problem on drug abusers and addicts, already reaching 1,545,000 people since 2010.
Illegal immigration and refugee counts are also increasing throughout China, especially from North Korea. With the country spanning to the Asian, Middle Eastern and European regions, its borders are seen as safe havens for refugees or internally displaced persons due to conflicts or economic situations in their home territories. Almost 300,897 Vietnamese, 50,000 North Koreans and 90,000 IDPs are recorded in China, however, China had continued forced returns of refugees back to their home territories like Kachin refugees from Burma and North Koreans. While China had provided sanctuary for these refugees, the country could not provide them aid as it had also stopped the influence of the UN. Finally, China is also known for the high rates of trafficking in persons throughout the globe as the country serves as the source, transit, and destination for trafficked persons throughout the globe, may it be for forced or unjust labor or sexual exploitation. Trafficking is mostly done on China’s numerous borders, with reports showing that even Chinese men and women are forced to sex trafficking and labor outside the country. Women and children are trafficked mostly in Burma, Vietnam, Russia, North Korea, and Romania and even in parts of Zimbabwe: doing labor, forced marriage, and even prostitution. Children that are trafficked in these areas are also reported to be forced to beg, steal, and work in factories. China is under Tier 2 Watch List by the international community due to these reported cases of trafficking, however, China is not fully complying with international standards as to how to eliminate trafficking or protect victims of such crime .
- Terrorism Issues
With regards to terrorism, China has reported several terrorist activity in the country’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region as reported by the US State Department (2012). Since 2012, the Chinese government had reported several efforts to end the activities of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in the region due to two attacks it had conducted in the region. In February 28, 9 extremists had attacked a crowed in the Kashgar region, killing 15 and injuring 16. Seven of these attackers were killed and the ringleader had been sentenced to death. Another attack on June 29 had also tried to kill an airliner filled by Chinese citizens, injuring 10 in the process. China has maintained that the ETIM is the main terrorism threat in the country, therefore they have increased police presence in the region to stop terrorism incidents.
According to Meier (2013), Xinjiang is a resource-rich region, however, conflicts continue to rise within the territory as the region is shared by Turkic-speaking Uighurs and Han Chinese that migrated after the founding of the PRC. Sources stated that the region is very deadly, even for journalists as people are afraid of discussing the tensions for foreigners as they may face death from the Chinese government. The attacks continue within the region as there are also reports of others terrorist group flocking in Xinjiang, the East Turkistan Liberation Organization and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan that is connected with the Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations . With the increased troubles regarding the terrorist activities in the Chinese borders, the NPC had amended the country’s criminal procedure laws to include protection for witnesses and strengthen Chinese authorities to detain criminals threatening state security due to terrorism. The country is also a member of the Financial Action Task Force and the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering body to stop terrorist financing from their territories .
- Crime Issues
According to the United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Safety report (2012), China also has a high record of crime threats throughout the region which makes it difficult for foreigners to visit the country. In Beijing, for example, crimes range from pick pocketing, fraud, financial scams and stealing. Violent crimes in the region do not really often occur, however, it can be concentrated in the bars and clubs of the nightlife districts of the cities. Usually, bar fights are caused by miscommunication, alcohol and even xenophobia; and it is most often than not that bar owners even allow violence in their establishments. Drugs and prostitutes are also available in several establishments as identification is no longer required. In terms of road safety, Chinese drivers often cause several accidents and traffic related deaths each day as Chinese drivers are reported to be aggressive in driving. Traffic laws are also disregarded as traffic police is even absent in major roads in the country. Drunk driving is also rampant throughout the country. Finally, in terms of political violence, China is recorded to have a high record of violent protests, often directed to foreign embassies and even US facilities.
- Impact of China’s situation to the United States
The high crime rates, terrorism activities in China’s contested territories, as well as the international disputes and issues involving China is a cause of concern for the United States, especially as it transcends to the country’s fight against these crimes and activities. In terms of crime issues, the United States had called for its people to take caution as crimes can easily slip by one’s guard if vigilance is not done. Lesser developed areas in cities, according to the US State Department recorded high crime rates in these parts. Citizens are also advised to take caution when passing or frequenting bars and clubs as physical altercations may happen. Travelers are also advised to take care of their belongings, even when protecting their passports and credit cards as it may be stolen while traveling. It is also advised to US citizens to use official modes of transportations, especially two-toned taxies as drivers may refuse to use meters and may incite crimes. Finally, it is also advised for US citizens to make copies of their documentation and call the nearest consulate if anything happens throughout their trip .
In the case of illicit drugs and related crimes, the US markets often gets its supply of heroin from the Golden Triangle, which increases throughout the years as China serves as many syndicates’ channels to get these drugs to the US. Opium poppy, ATS and heroin enters the US in the guise of synthetic drugs that threatens the country. With syndicates utilizing China as one of their major channels to gain these drugs from the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent, the United States drug traffickers began to establish ties with drug organizations in Afghanistan and other drug producing regions to deliver it to the US. The continuous increase of drugs causes the US to stress that it would be a barrier for total stable democracy and ending terrorism. As a result of the shared notion against illicit drugs and its related crimes, China and the United States are working hand in hand to adopt reforms to stop Asian drug trafficking and bilateral counternarcotics actions. Almost 400 drug cases have been thwarted by the Chinese and US cooperation against drug trafficking. However, while both nations are indeed enabled by each other’s bilateral agreements in thwarting narcotics and drugs within the region, both China and the US do not place this as a high priority in US-China relations and even the lack of trust between nations also causes difficulty in reacting to the growing demand and the intelligence sharing required to react against reported cases within both regions .
Finally, in terms of terrorism, Kan (2009) stated that both the United States and China agree that terrorism must be eradicated however it is currently limited in power. The US, under President George Bush, had commended the PRC’s diplomatic action and support against the terrorists, but noticed that China can still improve its actions in policy making to fully end the conflict in the Xinjiang region. However, the US is still weary of China’s “support” to the war against terrorism considering that China remains reluctant in providing military, intelligence, and political cooperation to several international actions against terrorism. China is also an ally to nuclear-armed Pakistan, which would be beneficial for the US to understand the technologies and transfers from Pakistan to other nuclear powered countries like Libya and Iran to the international community’s advantage. In 2007, increased concerns were raised by the US government over China’s cooperation in their war efforts against terrorism since there were China-origin arms found in Afghanistan. Kan had stated that the Chinese reluctance in aiding the United States against the fight on terrorism is crucial considering that both the US and China may cause arguments pertaining to the standards of counterterrorism. China had already accused the US for using “double standards” in how they should handle the Uighurs and the EITM. Policy reviews for both nations must be done, and further contacts should be done to foster understanding in stopping terrorism in the region .
- Conclusion
Today, China remains to be in full force in stopping high crime rates and terrorism activities dominating several parts of its territories for the safety of all those who visit the country. The international community, including the United States, lauds China’s actions but still heeds for China to also understand the human rights implications of their actions towards victims of crimes, refugees, and how they should handle the criminals within their areas. In the case of the US, Sino-American cooperation in ending these crimes must take into consideration active and direct partnerships to create solutions that would fit both American and Chinese laws and interests.
References
Kan, S. (2009). US-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for US Policy. Washington, D.C: US Congressional Research Service.
McColl, R. (2005). Encyclopedia of World Geography. New York: Golson Books.
Meier, A. W. (2013, April 30). China's black hole- unlikely claims of terrorism in Xinjiang. Retrieved from China Daily Mail: http://chinadailymail.com/2013/04/30/chinas-black-hole/
United States Central Intelligence Agency. (2013, July 10). China. Retrieved from The World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html
United States Departmrnt of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security. (2012). China 2012 Crime and Safety Report: Beijing. Washington D.C: United States Department of State.
US Department of State. (2013). Country Reports: East Asia and Pacific Overview. Washington D.C: US Department of State.
Zhang, Y.-a. (2012). Asia, International Drug Trafficking, and US-China Counternarcotics Cooperation. Washington D.C: The Brookings Institution.
