The Invisible Frontline: The Nature of China’s Unrestricted Warfare and Why the US Needs a Strategic Wake-Up Call
by Dallas Tueller
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12.16.2024 at 06:00am
The Invisible Frontline: The Nature of China’s Unrestricted Warfare and Why the US Needs a Strategic Wake-Up Call Image
“Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more”
― Sun Tzu
Introduction
Imagine you’re playing a game of chess with the assumption that the rules are traditional. Your opponent, however, gets to change the rules at any time, distract you with clever misdirection, and manipulate the audience’s perception of the match. This game is no longer equal; one player has a major advantage. This is the essence of China’s approach to warfare in its Unrestricted Warfare (UW) strategy. Rather than relying solely on traditional military strength and playing by the “rules,” China employs the full spectrum of national power, including cyberattacks, economic coercion, disinformation campaigns, and spies, to achieve strategic goals. The United States (US) is scouring the rule book for effective responses but is coming up short. These tactics fall outside the typical rules of warfare and are increasingly relevant in today’s interconnected world, effectively creating a new normal. With a traditional mindset on warfare, the US needs to adapt to these changes to keep up with integral changes to the character of war and effectively protect itself from external influence. China’s use of UW is having profound repercussions on core US infrastructure. These effects occur without recognition and proper urgency, putting US national security and hegemony at risk. It’s critical that senior-level policymakers and strategists adequately recognize the impact of China’s UW on the US. This article provides evidence of UW’s occurrence within vital US systems and details possible solutions to mitigate its effects. The primary aim is to increase awareness of China’s ongoing action against the US to stimulate strategic discussion within higher levels of the government.
Brief History of China and Setting the Stage for UW
Tensions between the US and China are well-documented and are anticipated to be a central focus in strategic discourse for the foreseeable future. These tensions are not recent but have deep roots, originating from a complex history that goes back several centuries. Interactions began when disagreements arose between Great Britain and China on the importation of opium into China in 1839. This led to the Opium Wars, which China lost, and the signing of the Treaty of Tianjin in 1858. This treaty opened Chinese ports and gave access to foreign powers, including the US. Many deemed this signed agreement unequal, granting foreigners privileged access to China while forcing the country to make concessions. This fueled Chinese animosity toward Western powers and imperialism. The exploitation and embarrassment experienced after the Opium Wars led the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Xianfeng, to realize that a national reassessment was required. This reassessment focused on border fortification, strengthening internal systems, and maintaining the national capacity to influence surrounding entities. Despite these aspirations, internal conflict hindered forward progress. A century of wars within China led to integral changes in leadership and ideology. These include the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, the rise and fall of the nationalistic Republic of China, and the revolutionary takeover of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led by Mao Zedong in 1949. Following the revolution, Mao Zedong stated, “China will never again be an insulted nation. We have stood up…No Imperialist will ever be allowed again to invade our territory”. Mao’s goal was to build China’s economy and solidify national communism. Industrial growth more than doubled under Mao’s leadership, but his ideology created rifts in the population. These rifts came from his Cultural Revolution in the 1970s, which aimed to reinforce communist party ideology through radical policy. These policies led to significant social friction, the persecution of intellectuals, and cultural destruction. This revolution further divided China’s ideology from global powers, affecting its standing in the international community. Following Mao’s complex legacy, China underwent leadership changes with Mao Zedong’s passing and Deng Xiaoping’s rise. Deng brought a level of change and openness to the country while also introducing critical doctrinal ideas. One included the “toa guang tang hui,” meaning “keep a low profile.” This idea prompted China to lay low, “hiding one’s capabilities and biding one’s time.” Deng’s emphasis on patience, practical work, and cautious observation was foundational in guiding China through its initial phase of economic reform and integration into the global economy. His approach was characterized by strategic patience to create a stable environment for China’s growth. This idea benefited the country, and over the last four decades, China’s economic strength has accelerated at surprising rates, allowing it to move towards more assertive goals. China’s bolstered economy and the transition from Deng Xiaoping’s pragmatic advice to China’s current strategic ambitions reflect a significant change in the country’s approach to global interactions. China’s current strategy centers on its economy. This strategy involves leveraging its economic power through trade, investments, and technological advancements while engaging in indirect activities to achieve strategic objectives and replace the US hegemon. It also includes efforts to influence international institutions and norms while expanding its arm of influence globally. A primary target of China’s action is the United States. The friction between China and the United States, rooted in ideological differences and competing national visions, has become more pronounced as China’s ambitions grow. The economic symbiosis that once characterized their relationship is now complicated by rivalry and competition for global influence. China’s pivot to UW tactics is vital to understand as it targets the US and navigates the international environment. As both nations continue to maneuver within their relationship, the interplay between China’s rising ambitions and the US’s response will likely shape the future of global geopolitics.
Unrestricted Warfare
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2024/12/16/the-invisible-frontline-the-nature-of-chinas-unrestricted-warfare/
