英语作文China threat theory

Rm 209, Liberal Arts Building

Fudan University

Shanghai, 200433

January 5, 2012

Editor XXX

Letter from readers

China Daily

Beijing, 100029

Dear editor:

I am a student of Fudan University, majoring in physics. Recently I have read several

articles about the "China threat" theory, in which some claim that the rise of China is a

threat to the West, while others proclaim that China's rising is an opportunity. I am

writing to convey my reflections on this issue.

There is no doubt that China has won acclaim for its significant economic and social

achievements since the reform and opening-up. However, in the eyes of certain Western

powers, China's rise poses a challenge to the traditional Western-dominated international

order and geopolitical landscape. They see China’s every move—political, economic,

military, and diplomatic—as threatening.

Actually the "China threat" theory is misleading and groundless. For example, the US

scholar Lester Brown in his 1995 book Who Will Feed China? claims that China is a threat

to global food security. He indicates that China only has 7 percent of the world's farmland,

while its population accounts for 21 percent of the world’s total. Therefore, Brown argues,

the Chinese cannot feed themselves and will surely cause a global food crisis. His

argument does not stand up to scrutiny. However, spread by the US media, it caused

quite a scare in the world at that time. Twenty years on, China still maintains basic

self-sufficiency in grain and has not caused any "panic buying" in international grain

markets. Even Brown himself has admitted several years ago that his conclusion was

wrong.

Therefore, the real reason for the Western countries to propagate the "China threat"

theory seems to be that they are afraid that China will challenge the existing international

status when it becomes stronger. The Western countries hope to restrict the rise of China

by means of the "China threat" theory.

Indeed, the "China threat" theory, exaggerated by the Western countries for decades,

produced a dual effect of containment and stimulation.

On the one hand, the "China threat" theory damaged the image of China and deterred the

development pace of China. It deteriorated the surrounding environment of China to

some extent and made China face a more complex international environment and

withstand more external pressure.

On the other hand, as an imposed power, the "China threat" theory strengthened China’s

sense of crisis and stimulated the rise and development of China. According to the

"challenge-response" theory of British historian Arnold J. Toynbee, the organism will

instinctively produce a series of effective responses in the face of challenges and

ultimately promote its development.

The "China threat" theory has become a preferred tool in the domestic politics of some

countries, and has become a power discourse in the international community. Whenever

some countries suffer from relevant domestic political issues, they often take the "China

threat" theory as shields. For example, in the currently heated US presidential election,

the "China threat" theory is the stock in trade of the Obama administration. Facing the

"China threat" theory, we not only have to be calm and initiative, but also have to take the

following effective measures.

Firstly, we should have a calm state of mind compatible with other dominant countries

and pursue our own Chinese dream. Secondly, we should continue to promote and

intensify international cooperation. China depends on Asia and the world, as much as

Asia and the world depend on China. She is directly tied to the US and therefore has no

interest in a direct confrontation with her major competitor. Thirdly, we should build a

favorable national image by winning the international discourse right. Finally, we should

follow the road of peaceful development and ensure the world that the rise of China is

peaceful.

In a word, the fundamental way to offset the negative effects of the "China threat" theory

is to vigorously develop China's national strength. Besides, we should concentrate on our

own business so as to ride out the current critical period of development. By then, the

"China threat" theory as a special historical symbol in China's development process will

naturally fade away.

Sincerely,

XXX