The
aim of the huge military parade the government of China will put on display
tomorrow in Beijing, as they celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory
Day against the Japanese, is obviously related to a policy of intimidation.
But
the ones the Chinese authorities try to intimidate are not based in Japan, not
even in the neighbouring countries. To the neighbouring countries, Beijing´s message
is clear: our military capabilities are growing by the day and modernising by
the hour. It´s an arms race and the Chinese want it to be clear that they have
the means and the knowledge to win the run.
Regarding
the intimidation, the target is the Chinese people itself. Their government
wants them to understand that the armed forces are a powerful instrument of
power. It was used in 1989, at Tiananmen Square. And can be used again, now in
a much more efficient manner. That´s the message.
Civil obedience remains the
key issue in such a vast country. The leaders are today, as their predecessors
were, deeply afraid of any possible loss of political control.
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