The China Syndrome

The China Syndrome
By Tommy Franks

The China Syndrome, what is it? A syndrome is a group of things or events that form a recognizable pattern…This may good or it may be something undesirable. A syndrome is a set of symptoms or conditions.

This is what I believe: The waking giant, China, will be taking the USA's place as the most powerful country in the world. When? In about 20 to 25 years! China is catching on fast. They just finished a massive Dam that is 8 times larger then the Hoover Dam. It will supply electricity and water to over 40 million homes. They know technology. They should. They stole it from us! China has created very little on its own. They normally just steal the ideas and blueprints from the US or other countries!

China’s population is 1.3 billion. They have 100 million troops…and that number is rising daily. That’s right. They also have millions of rounds of ammunition, tens of thousands of armor and bullet proof vests…and a multiplicity of various kinds of military weapons. They are well organized. They have friends in low places, like North Korea, North Africa, Iran, and other Arab nations. China is on its way to becoming the world’s next super power.

The speed with which China is catching up with technology is mind boggling. Intercommunication and expansion of education leaves America cold. The overwhelming numbers of people and their enthusiasm for improvement and learning compared with the lethargic attitude of young people in the West is amazing and has to be seen to be believed. Will China rule the world? I do not believe they will rule the entire world; however, they will certainly attempt to lead the world…but it will be short lived.

In recent years, China has become suspicious of the West, but China does not want to isolate herself as she has in the past. Over the past 4000 years, the Chinese military has been about defense rather than attack. External aggression is very much against the common Chinese philosophy of peace, harmony and stability.
However, on the economic side, their population and strong government make them ready to be the next economic superpower, perhaps in about 20 years or so. It may be sooner than that. We will see.

While China is not as powerful as the USA, it is increasingly falling into the Cold War role syndrome. China on its own does not threaten the power of the USA; however, they have global allies like Russia and India. India is powerless on its own, but with China’s help, they will be heard in the near future. China will increasingly make her voice and India’s heard in Washington. China borders Afghanistan, Burma, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Their land mass is slightly smaller than the US.
A superpower is defined as a global force that can influence geopolitical and military events in every corner of the globe. China is rapidly getting ready for this event. Furthermore, as the opportunity arises, China will develop their ICBM capabilities and will maintain their country's nationalistic fervor. They will rival America in this initiative. It would be a grave mistake for America to take the Chinese lightly. They have only one goal in mind right now: Domination over the capitalistic American super power.
China will become a "super power"; however, first she must embrace democracy. And she will. Its people will be able to elect governments of their choice. It will also withdraw its forces from the territories of other countries like Tibet, Taiwan, and parts of India. In addition, she will pay compensation for resources she has extracted from these occupied territories. Eventually, China will pass these tests. They will also abolish forced labor and honor human rights. Then, she will be on the road to becoming a world wide "superpower".
In history, China has seldom invaded other countries. Not because she is weak, but because she has peaceful people. Mark my word, China is no longer sleeping. They are catching up in technological and scientific development. They are now recovering and will not be foolish enough to neglect their military advancement. Some have asked, “Are the Chinese smart enough to catch up in science and technology?” The answer is “Yes”.
Some hope that China will never be a world superpower. They will. The whole Southeast Asia will become one country…China. It does not matter how long it takes, they are deliberate and patient. They will accomplish their agenda.
Although China may have some internal problems to deal with, they are more than capable of rallying as a country to protect and defend what they have in common, their homeland.
Have you noticed lately? Almost every item of clothing from sneakers to t-shirts is made in China. The US consumer is now tied to China…whether we like it or not! The puzzle and dilemma is simple: The US and China have become economically dependent on each other…yet are frightened of each other…and speak in totally different cultural languages.

Currently, China is only a regional power. Its military, economic, and technological capabilities fall very short of the US. However, the country's economical and technological progress is rapidly catching up…which suggests that China will become a superpower within the next 20 to 25 years.

China is still a Third World country in terms of poverty and human rights abuses. Shortly, there will be an improvement in this area. Mark my word. The history of superpowers proves one important point…size isn't everything. Power has as much to do with ideas and ingenuity as scope. Look at how a small island (Great Britain), made itself an 18th and 19th century world power despite being a country of only about 12 to 15 million people.
China is a Third World country with a population bomb that will go off in about 15 to 20 years. China will change. Its political system and free market economy will change. She will also change in regards to her population growth. China does not view the world as the Americans do. The Chinese philosophy of life is peace, harmony, and economical prosperity. In the past, China had a weak military; however, that is changing. They have finally realized that economic prosperity must be backed up by strong military means.

Soon, China will become strong. China is realizing that the corrupt and oppressive system of communism is not working. Communism continues to bring misery and suffering to mankind. China is realizing that many young Chinese want to come to the West. China also realizes that in order to become a world superpower, people must want to flock to its shores. Read on…

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system, which ensured China's sovereignty, but imposed strict controls over everyday life and eventually cost the lives of millions its people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 their output as a country had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight right now. However, this about to change forever!

When we mention “superpower”, some believe that China will never foot the bill of becoming a powerful country. In some ways, they already have arrived, especially in sports, culture, and its military power. China has the largest population and military in the world. Is China dangerous? Not at the moment, but China wants to be a superpower…and they have a strategic plan to do it. They have become a very strong nation.

China is ready for reform. Both economic reforms and human life reforms have been acknowledged. China holds the key to the world's economic well being or pending disaster. The country is fast becoming the sole powerhouse for global manufacturing and industrial production. China can satisfy the needs of 100 nations right now. To many of the world's countries, this spells financial ruin because most emerging nations rely almost entirely on manufacturing jobs to sustain their economies. They simply cannot compete with China!
In the past, the Soviet Union was universally considered a superpower due to its military and political influence even though it was economically struggling. China plans to militarily and politically dominate and become the next economic superpower. Previously, China has been a closed society. That is now changing. China is now opening up its society to the outside world. China now has the second largest economy in the world, in terms of PPP (Purchasing Power Parity). It only trails the USA.

When you visit China today, you will find that many of the people basically enjoy a quality of life standard…with the exception of not driving a car. The quality of life in China is on par with other developing nations. Their telecommunications infrastructure and use of information technology is still being developed, but they are making incredible strides toward their technological goals every day.

On the horizon, China is continuing its development of ballistic missiles and fighter jets. This will trigger an arms race…giving shape to another Cold War.

Historically and culturally, Chinese are neither belligerent nor invasive. Currently, China has no intention to bully other countries or dominate Asia Pacific. However, they are keen to protect themselves from being bullied. China is still far from being a true democracy, but they are leaning in that direction. It will be done step by step, but it will be done. One day the Chinese people will enjoy the same democracy as now enjoyed by US citizens. As I stated previously, China is becoming a country with great economic and military power.

Some regard China as an 'evil dictatorship'. Even though China does not feel second to anyone, they have not sent troops to invade another country in a very long time. The last time that China sent troops to occupy another territory and claimed it as its own was in 1950…the unilateral invasion of Tibet. China wishes to be respected globally. At present, they have no wish to impose their will on outside borders. However, this could change. Some say that it is very difficult to predict the future. A few years ago with the student uprising it looked like China would go the way of Russia and become a democracy, but so far that has not happened, but it will. China will become a superpower and even a friend to the West…because of political reform.

The majority of consumer products used to be made in Japan, but today is manufactured in China. In addition, China is getting better at their manufacturing of goods and exports.

By definition, the US is the only superpower today because it is the only country that has the military capability to project its power on a world wide basis. However, this is changing. The American people are not too willing to accept casualties anymore on a daily basis.

China has long been a formidable proposition in military terms because it can field a massive army any day of the week. With their increasingly strong economy and rapidly improving technology, the Chinese government is wasting no time in building up its military strength. Their aim: Superpower Status! I do not believe that the Chinese people have any desire for conflict; however, that too will change.

China will align herself with Russia because the Russians have a very advanced technology, but they do not have much money. The Chinese have money, but need the advanced Russian technology. Furthermore, the United States buys over 100 billion dollars worth of goods each year from China. Poverty in China is rapidly dissipating!

Compared to China, the entire Middle East region is just a little blip. China will be a more formidable adversary than Russia ever was. The Chinese navy is now poised to push out into the Pacific. When it does, it will quickly encounter a U.S. Navy and Air Force unwilling to budge from the coastal shelf of the Asian mainland.
It's not hard to imagine the result…another Cold War. The Chinese are becoming masters of indirect influence by establishing business communities and diplomatic outposts, by negotiating construction and trade agreements.

Over the globe, one fifth of the world’s population is Chinese. China, occupies the third largest area of land on earth. It has more than 4,000 years of undivided history and culture.

Does the Bible have anything to say about China? In searching for an answer to this intriguing question, let us start our quest by delving into a bit of China’s ancient history. The Chinese nation (known as the Middle Kingdom) dates back to 2205 B.C. with its first dynasty, the Xia, established by King Yu. Even today in China, King Yu is still well-remembered as “the great Yu.” King Yu was also renowned as a virtuous and exemplary ruler, providing a fitting pattern for later rulers to emulate.
Following the Xia were the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Each of these kingdoms ruled over many states, some of these states having more extensive land and greater power than the royal dynasty itself. Most of the many kings of these first three dynasties served as Heaven-appointed agents, ministering by love rather than by force.

In 221 B.C., the Qin State defeated all its rivals and established China’s first empire controlled by a strong self-imposed emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. Thus China entered its fourth dynasty, the Qin, (221 - 206 B.C.).

To keep out invaders, Qin Shi Huangdi ordered the construction, repair and strengthening of the Great Wall, which stretches about 4,000 miles. It was built with the blood and tears shed by thousands of slave workers under ruthless oppression, and was finished several centuries after the Qin dynasty. The Great Wall, the greatest human project in the history of mankind, has a sad history. Many of the 300,000 workers suffered from a most inhumane and cold-blooded treatment. They now lie entombed within its massive structure. Even though the Great Wall today is a symbol of unity and peace for the Chinese, no one can forget the high price paid to keep out potential foreign aggressors. Now, more than 2,200 years after Qin Shi Huangdi, the Great Wall has gradually become a landmark of unity for Chinese all over the world and an identifying symbol of China. The name of “China” in all foreign languages of the world finds its root in the Qin [Chin] Dynasty.

Back to our opening question: Does the Bible have anything to say about the land of China? Some believe the following refers to China: “Surely these shall come from afar; Look, those from the north and the west; And these from the land of Sinim” (Isaiah 49: 12)…written by Isaiah in about 720 B.C. Many believe that the word “Sinim” refers to China. Young’s Concordance says, “Sinim is a people in the Far East…the Chinese.” The English dictionary says: “‘Sino’ indicates Chinese.”

Many say that the Hebrew word “Sinim” means China. I am not here to debate the name one way or the other; however, China and its wall have been around for a long, long time.

This is what I do know. God has not forgotten the people of China, nor does He forget any country on this earth. Jesus died for the people of China just as He died for all people everywhere. China is now coming out of darkness. They will eventually embrace democracy.

What about China's thirst for oil? China is not the biggest oil consumer in the world. That prize goes to America. However, China’s appetite for oil is growing exponentially. Ten years ago, China imported no oil at all. Last year it overtook Japan to become the world's second biggest importer. Its imports for oil are expected to rise another 40% this year. China has more than 10 million private automobiles. By 2020 that number will be 120 million.

China's aggressive behavior towards Taiwan is increasing. The Red Dragon (China) is also becoming a threat to Japan, South Korea, and the entire Far East region by allowing North Korea to develop atomic weapons and missiles. Some of these are being sold to Muslim countries to include Muslim terrorists.
I believe that China will be involved in the “End Time” events. Do not throw me out for telling you what I believe. I am not trying to convince you to believe one way or the other. Believe what you want to believe. These are my thoughts:

Look at the Book of Revelation…the last book in the Bible. Some of those events are now occurring. There will eventually be an evil dictator called the Antichrist (Beast). I do not know what country he will come from nor when, but this is what I do know: He will be a bad dude…an evil person. He will make war on anyone who does not give him allegiance. I believe he will make a pact with China, Russia, India, and perhaps Iran. These countries will be in direct conflict with the US and Israel. As a whole, America will not turn its backs on Israel. In that day, it will seem as if the whole world is against Israel. The countries who make a pact with the Antichrist will attempt to invade Israel. That’s when the Messiah (Jesus Christ) steps in and fights for Israel. Five out of six people of the armies against Israel will die. Their weapons will burn for seven years. It will take Israel seven months to bury the dead (enemy soldiers)…not a pretty sight. God has the last word!

You can read this from the Books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation. They have a lot to say about the “End Time”. The Antichrist will initially appear to be a good man, a peaceful man. He will have political savvy and incredible charisma, but will become the greatest tyrant of all times! Don’t worry though. We win!