Communist China: Significant Trends

摘要

In the Far East today Communist China, Soviet Russia, and the United States form a power triangle. Each power has objectives in the area which are in conflict with those of the others. These conflicts are finding expression in the war in Vietnam which is more and more becoming a test of the ability of China, Russia, and the United States to project power and influence. Because the war is viewed by the other countries of Southeast Asia as a symbol of the resolve of the United States to protect them from China and a test for its containment of China policy, the war becomes one which the U.S. feels it cannot afford to lose. Because Vietnam is a key in China's drive for power in Asia, a key for a coalition of Asian Communist parties, and a key in China's effort for influence in the 'third world,' China cannot afford a defeat in Vietnam. For Russia, the war is becoming a struggle with China for influence in the Communist world, a struggle which Russia will strive to win. Therefore, factors which will lead to escalation of the war are present. China wants to expel the U.S. from Asia and to establish Asian hegemony. China is also threatening Thailand, India, and Malaysia with wars of liberation similar to Vietnam. China is engaged in a worldwide struggle with Russia for leadership of the Communist nations. She has accused Russia of half-hearted support to North Vietnam and of conspiring with the United States to encircle China. Relations between China and Russia appear to be near a formal break. There appears to be no reasons to expect China's objectives to change when China's aged leaders are replaced since these objectives are mainly nationalistic and involve security of China's borders. Despite set-backs during 1965, China's policy of supporting wars of national liberation is being maintained and is the basis of her ideological split with Russia.