China has always prided itself for “playing the long game.” But now they have shot themselves in the wrong place. National defense and the coveted international influence and alliances are always limited by national wealth “as a percentage“ of GDP.
The United States is arguably “the most powerful country on earth“ — not because of its military, per se. Rather, the US “reach” and relative safety are because of the US economy and the resulting “percentage of GDP“ assigned to national defense, R&D, and international “friendships” and influence.
Seriously diminish “the economy” — and you have demolished your ability to extend influence and all topics related to national defense around the world.
Read more about China’s trajectory here, that their formidable PR and propaganda efforts won’t tell you:
https://lnkd.in/gZKXns5E
