Chine : quelle puissance ? | L'essentiel du Dessous des Cartes | ARTE

Summary

The video discusses the Chinese political and military landscape, focusing on the National People's Congress in Beijing. Premier Li Qiang announces a modest 5% economic growth projection for 2024, amidst significant challenges such as youth unemployment, inflation, and a housing crisis. However, China’s military strength is on the rise with a 7.2% increase in defense spending. Tensions in the South China Sea are highlighted, where China claims vast maritime areas, defying international law and occupying disputed islands. The script also touches on China’s ambitions regarding Taiwan, emphasizing an increasingly firm stance on reunification.

Takeaways

• 😀 China's National People's Congress is a significant political event, even in an authoritarian regime.
• 😀 Li Qiang, the Chinese Premier, announced a 5% growth forecast for China's economy in 2024, which is considered low by Chinese standards.
• 😀 China is facing a deep economic crisis with high youth unemployment, inflation, reduced consumption, and a massive real estate bubble.
• 😀 Despite economic fragility, China is increasing its military power with a 7.2% increase in defense spending.
• 😀 China's assertiveness is especially evident in the South China Sea, where it has claimed vast maritime areas.
• 😀 China’s claim in the South China Sea covers around two million square kilometers, a fifth of its land territory.
• 😀 China's territorial claims in the South China Sea are based on historical assertions and maps from the 1930s.
• 😀 China has illegally occupied islands and atolls in the South China Sea, which are also claimed by other countries.
• 😀 The Paracel Islands were the first area of Chinese territorial expansion in the South China Sea.
• 😀 In 2013, China began large-scale land reclamation on its controlled atolls, building artificial islands with military and civilian infrastructure.
• 😀 The issue of Taiwan remains a central part of China’s ambitions, with the Chinese Premier stressing the need for 'reunification' with Taiwan, now described as firm rather than peaceful.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Chinese National People's Congress session in Beijing?

The National People's Congress session is an important political event in China, even under an authoritarian regime. It provides an opportunity to gauge the power and direction of the Chinese government, especially regarding economic and military issues.

Who is Li Qiang, and what did he announce during the opening of the session?

Li Qiang is the Premier of China, serving alongside President Xi Jinping. During the opening of the session, he announced a target of 5% economic growth for China in 2024, which is significant but considered low for China.

Why is a 5% economic growth rate seen as low for China?

Although 5% growth is considered substantial from a global perspective, it is seen as low for China, especially since it is facing a deep economic crisis with rising unemployment, inflation, reduced consumption, and a real estate bubble.

What are the key economic challenges facing China today?

China is grappling with several economic issues including high youth unemployment, inflation, a drop in consumer spending, and an over-inflated real estate sector with millions of unsold properties.

How is China increasing its military power under Xi Jinping's leadership?

Under Xi Jinping, China is significantly increasing its military budget, with a 7.2% rise in defense spending. This move highlights China's growing military capabilities, particularly in the South China Sea.

What is the South China Sea dispute about?

The South China Sea dispute involves China's territorial claims over a vast maritime area, including the so-called 'Nine-Dash Line' or 'Cow’s Tongue', which covers two million square kilometers. These claims violate international law and conflict with other nations’ territorial rights in the region.

How does China justify its territorial claims in the South China Sea?

China justifies its claims by citing a historical precedent, claiming that it has had a presence in the region for centuries. These claims are largely based on maps published in the 1930s.

What actions has China taken to assert control over disputed territories in the South China Sea?

China has taken several actions, including occupying and militarizing islands and atolls, such as the Paracels and Spratlys, and creating artificial islands. In 2012, China effectively annexed the Scarborough Reef, previously controlled by the Philippines.

What are the environmental and geopolitical consequences of China's actions in the South China Sea?

China's environmental violations include massive land reclamation projects that have transformed small rocks into artificial islands, often disregarding environmental regulations. Geopolitically, these actions have sparked tensions with neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

What is China's stance on Taiwan, and how has it changed recently?

China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory, and Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed this goal during the session. However, unlike previous statements which emphasized peaceful reunification, China now advocates for reunification with 'firmness', implying a more assertive stance on the issue.