I. Violent plunder in the old era.
In the 19th century, the great powers opened the doors of China with opium and gunboats:
• Opium as a Weapon: Britain profited enormously from the opium trade, leading to a massive outflow of Silver from the Qing Dynasty, signing unequal treaties, paying indemnities, ceding territories (like Hong Kong), and opening trade ports.
• Economic Hollowing: The reparations from the Treaty of Shimonoseki were equivalent to four years of Japan's fiscal revenue; the great powers controlled China's customs, railroads, and mineral resources, akin to draining blood and hollowing the economy.
• Cultural Plunder: The Eight-Nation Alliance looted the Forbidden City, with hundreds of thousands of treasures (such as the Yongle Encyclopedia) being taken away, while historical records of burning, killing, looting, and humiliating civilians are widespread.
II. The "Civilized Cloak" of Modern Trade Wars.
In the new era, major powers have switched to "rule warfare," which essentially still suppresses development:
• Tariff big stick: The USA imposes tariffs on Chinese commodities, while China retaliates using its Industry Chain advantages (such as rare earth export restrictions).
• Technology blockade: Bans on chips and sanctions against Huawei attempt to lock China's technological lifeline, similar to the plundering behavior of monopolizing customs in the past.
• Rule suppression: Utilizing WTO rules, Eco-friendly Concept standards, and other tools to attempt to curb China's development, much like the past control over China through extraterritorial rights.
3. The Path to Breakthrough for China
• Rise of hard power: Relying on New energy Fund (photovoltaics, electric vehicles) and 5G technology, breaking the blockade to achieve leapfrogging.
• Creation of new rules: Establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, promoting the Belt and Road Initiative Concept, and reconstructing Global economic discourse power.
• Historical lessons: Once reduced to a weak country due to the loss of tariff autonomy...