In today's edition of Diário de Notícias, 25/07/2025
This comprehensive analysis, penned by Victor Ângelo, paints a stark picture of Europe's geopolitical predicament, caught "between a rock and a hard place." It contrasts Europe's perceived fragility and historical focus with China's formidable and rapidly expanding global influence.
China's Ascent: A Geopolitical Powerhouse
The author emphasizes that China, under a rigid central command, has become a prominent power with all the necessary conditions for global dominance:
Central Geographical Location: Strategically positioned with a vast population and connections to billions more through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Dominant Industrial Base and Innovation: Daily multiplication of industrial innovation, accelerated development in Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and large-scale renewable energy production. The abundance of low-cost energy is highlighted as a major future asset for the digital economy.
Assertive Diplomacy: China is seen as leveraging its diplomacy to exploit Europe's colonial past and the growing aggressiveness of the US, positioning itself as a new force for "national liberation" in the Global South.
Unrivaled Military Modernization: The text asserts that China's military program is far more extensive and innovative than commonly estimated in the West. This includes being the world's leading builder of warships, massive investments in stealth aircraft, a constantly developing nuclear arsenal, digital espionage, AI and autonomous combat systems, space exploration, and dual-use technology.
Patriotism and Cultural Pride: High levels of patriotism and cultural pride within the dominant Chinese population contribute to its assertiveness regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Europe's Perceived Weakness and Misconceptions
The author suggests that China views Europe as little more than a "historical curiosity" and a significant market, akin to a museum of fine arts and the past. This perspective implies that China doesn't see Europe as a major geopolitical power.
The text also points out what it considers the West's misjudgment regarding China:
NATO's Blind Spot: The recent NATO summit in The Hague is criticized for not mentioning China, focusing instead on Russia and US arms acquisitions. While acknowledging Russia as a threat to some neighbors, the author argues Russia lacks the economic foundation to sustain its imperial ambitions long-term, unlike China.
Outdated Defense Strategy: The traditional approach of high defense spending, large military parades, and advanced warplanes is deemed "misleading" and easily overcome by modern geopolitical warfare, where cheap drones purchased online can down sophisticated aircraft.
Europe's Urgent Need for an Alternative
Europeans are urged to confront the realities of Donald Trump and the rise of Xi Jinping, lamenting that they appear to fear the former and ignore the latter. Given the distinct European mentality, an alternative path is deemed essential.
The proposed clear alternative for Europe involves:
Defining Real Threats: Identifying genuine dangers.
Defending European Unity: Strengthening internal cohesion.
Protecting Democratic Regimes: Safeguarding core European values.
Combating Political Extremism and Public Opinion Manipulation: Addressing internal vulnerabilities.
This is presented as vital political work rooted in truth in education and information, coupled with courageous public intervention. The author concludes that by electing such leaders, Europe will earn global respect and be able to deal with dictators effectively.
This analysis serves as a powerful call to action for Europe to reassess its position and adopt a more realistic and proactive strategy in the face of shifting global power dynamics.
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