China is viewed not just as a competitor but as a “predatory power” in the global system, excelling in winning without direct conflict. While the West has long focused on globalization and liberal reforms, China has profited from the gradual transfer of Western industries to its own economy. According to Konstantinos Bogdanos, a Greek politician and journalist, Chinese President Xi Jinping sees the weakening of the West as an unfolding event rather than a strategic aim.
Bogdanos highlighted the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, contrasting their approaches. Trump is portrayed as a tactical dealmaker, while Xi Jinping is depicted as a patient strategist playing a long-term game. The expert emphasized that China’s strategy involves waiting for the West to decline due to its own internal issues, rather than rushing into direct conflict.
Trump’s visit to Beijing was described as an effort to manage a challenging relationship through personal diplomacy and economic pressure, driven by the belief that China responds only to strength. However, even if trade deals or temporary truces are reached, the expert believes that China’s global expansion aims to make the West a historical relic, rather than just business moves. Bogdanos warned of China’s vision for a future where individuality is suppressed, and the state reigns supreme.
From the Covid-19 pandemic to China’s societal control mechanisms, Beijing’s future vision is portrayed as a world devoid of individual freedoms, where the state holds ultimate authority. While the EU issues strategic autonomy statements, China is strategically ensuring European dependence on its products, aiming to erode the concept of sovereignty. Bogdanos expressed concerns about China’s increasing influence in Europe’s key sectors, potentially rendering sovereignty meaningless.
