Given China’s status as a nuclear power, Chinese analysts and officials do not believe the United States will target Xi Jinping in the same way it did Khamenei. But Trump’s use of war as a tool to assert U.S. dominance has reaffirmed Beijing’s view that the United States remains China’s most persistent threat. The Chinese military posted a graphic on social media last week outlining five lessons from its attack on Iran. One of them is the importance of “strong firepower,” echoing Xi Jinping’s slogan.
It also lists the need for “self-reliance,” likely a reference to China’s attempts to reduce its reliance on other countries for key inputs such as energy and defense production. One pointer said China must be wary of “enemies within,” an apparent reference to Beijing’s long-standing fear of foreign espionage and any incitement to “color revolutions” that overthrow the government. Last month, the CIA released a new video aimed at recruiting spies within China’s military, hoping to capitalize on Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has purged many top commanders. One of the broadest points being discussed in China is not to be lulled into a false sense of security by negotiating with Washington. The first U.S. and Israeli bombs dropped on Iran when the two sides were supposed to still be negotiating, leaving Beijing feeling duplicitous and an abuse of U.S. power. new york times
