But the thing is peter, it is of course altogether possible that they could have a war - just as with any competitive countries. The burden of proof however is to demonstrate that war is a predictable outcome, which would hinder their economic expansionism, instead of being just one of any number of potential future forecasts. At the moment nobody is seriously anticipating a war between China and Russia except you, and in your case I suspect that that has something to do with your pro-American biases.
*sigh*
Let me repeat again what I've been saying. ALL I'm saying is that the US is in the most secure and stable location for a major power. In contrast as explained in the Stratfor article - China has serious problems (disparity between coast and poor hinterland people, growing expectations and materialism of the Chinese people, inefficiences and corruption of
the State and company management, overspending and overlending
of money to inefficient Chinese state enterprises, increasing pro
Chinese labour union decisions by the Chinese state vs foreign investors,
huge amount of dollars which may devalue, ageing population despite
recent relaxation of birth control, it has been around for over two decades
and last but not least reduced imports and spending by China's largest
export market and similar economic problems in Japan and EU).
That is one problem. Another problem lies in that EVERYONE here
in SOUTH AFRICA, assumes that China and Russia are friends.
As mentioned they are not. They have a history of aggression
and while they have had common enemies and have common interests
now they are starting to become MORE and MORE UNEQUAL.
China's economy is growing, Russia's is contracting, Chinese population
is growing, Russia's is contracting. China needs an outlet too,
and there are vast empty spaces of unmanaged land in East Siberia
- incredibly depopulated - with some 5 million Russians living there.
Look at the early 20th century - Russo-Japanese War. A possibility
this time of tension between RUssia and China is possible,
as tension between Russia and USA is pointless and is only about
Kremlin flexing its muscles - USA does not pose a threat to Russia,
who else will Russia have to fear? India? Japan?
No-way. The only country in the region capable of threatening
Russia in economic and possibly military terms is China.
Who should CHina threaten?
1. USA? Why? China buys up US dollars and exports to the US.
US companies invest in China and provide the know how
to the Chinese.
2. Japan? Why? Japan has a navy capable of defence of its
own islands, is working on a space program which may
have military uses and is still friendly with the USA.
Besides China has no Blue Water navy. (Neither has Russia).
3. Who else?
All in all it makes sense that if one looks at history of every region,
eg 19th century Europe - with the British, Russia, Austro-Hungarian
and Prussian empires we eventually saw them enter a war against
each other. Logical thinking would have said this would not
happen after all these countries were of similar thought, ruled
by autocratic kings, but in reality their differences (some
had colonies others wanted them and economic
disaprities) led to a collapse of the 19th century system in
Europe.
Look war between China and Russia isn't on the cards yet.
However the region of Central Asia is rich in POTENTIAL
problems. Breakaway Russian/CIS/ex Soviet republics like Moldova. Kashmir,
India, Pakistan. Iran. China and its seperatist movements,
Sri Lanka and its problems, Myanmar and its problems,
Thailand and its problems. In contrast we have the USA
which is undisturbed by all of this - far, far away where
none of this can touch them. Where they can continue with
their own internal 350 million market and even have trade with
Canada, Mexico and S/Central America as a possibility.
A good example of how this served America in the past was the
fact that no serious war was fought in America since the Civil War.
Unlike Europe, China, Japan and Russia, not to mention
Korea and Vietnam, the USA has not been destroyed numerously
by occupying armies, by invading fleets and aerial bombardments.
The US homeland is safe and has been untouched since the end
of the Civil War.
This is all very simplified but NO OTHER nation, sans Australia
has such good prospects as America.
I am not pro US in this. I am just stating an objective opinion.
. No vote, no rights and no respect. By your logic then one can say since they have no respect for their own citizens they wouldn't have any respect for citizens of other countries.