SEC331e Theory and Practice in Security Studies – China should not take it for granted that it will overtake the United States, Singapore

Question 1

China should not take it for granted that it will overtake the United States to become the world’s top superpower, former commerce minister Chen Deming warned. At a forum organised by the Centre for China and Globalisation, a Beijing-based think tank, Chen warned that the country will remain “in the primary stage of socialism” for a long period of time and said its economic size does not give it the leeway to dictate global rules. “When China takes part in global governance, China must follow a strategy of seeking multilateral cooperation,” Chen said. “Do not take it for granted that China is number two, and do not make the assumption that we will be the number one sooner or later.” – South China Morning Post, 15 April 2019

Debate if China is likely to overtake the U.S. to become the world’s top superpower in the next 20 years.