US Technology versus China. How Much Should We Make Available for Them to Buy?
Nothing that they cannot now produce themselves.
China has made it clear, through their aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and their policy of economic conquest implicit in the Belt and Road initiative, that they are set on a path to become the dominant power in the world.
They have enormous technological capacity, a strong commitment to further it and are equal to us in drive and inventiveness.
But they still don’t have America’s edge in many fields.
Given that China has shown its colors, why assist them in their quest for dominance?
China’s push is much determined by the bargain they have made with their people. ‘In exchange for our quick rise,’ they have said to their citizens, ‘you will give up free speech and consent to the Communist Party’s detailed surveillance of your behavior.’
The party knows that those restrictions cannot last forever and feels compelled to show results to justify the repression. That is the pressure they’re under.
Why should America assist them with their plans?
It is reasonable to assume, that China will develop what it needs technologically on their own but that will take time.
Time that we need to further our own advantages.
Time to repair the social and economic infrastructure that has kept us from providing equal opportunities to our citizens.
We need whatever edge we now have in the various fields to make our citizens stronger and better educated.
Competition with China will last decades. We need sharp minds and able bodies who are convinced that our system is fair, respectful of human rights and worth fighting for.
We need time to make clear what the American edge is.
As we produce better citizens we will likely keep that edge over China and dissuade the rest of the world from moving to their side.
There is no guarantee that will happen, so we must work hard for it.
The present administration, with its commitment to comprehensive infrastructure building, understands this need.
There will be those, however, who in the interest of profits, will make the case for accommodating with China, that is to supply them with what they wish. But those interests are shortsighted, will undermine our resolve and give China the advantage.
Competition with China is here to stay and it can help us become a better nation.
For that we’ll need inspiring leadership, bipartisan support and lots of gumption.
Oscar Valdes
Oscarvaldes.net
