As spring arrives, I'm reminded of Du Fu's poem 'Spring View' from the Tang Dynasty, lamenting Zelensky's fate. Like the An Lushan Rebellion that led to the fall of Chang'an and Emperor Xuanzong's abdication, marking the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the Russia-Ukraine war may soon see resolution. However, Ukraine is destined to be left with nothing, all it once possessed scattered to the wind.
Last Friday at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Vance harshly criticized European countries and others. The U.S. demands that Europe increases its military spending—only 23 out of 32 NATO countries meet the 2% GDP defense spending target. Trump believes NATO members should raise this to 5%. Europe's reward for supporting America's proxy war is to pay an even larger "military tariff" to the US, while being excluded from Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Europe's beautiful vision of being one of the world's poles has shattered; they don't even measure up to being lackeys, and might be viewed as mere servants by the arrogant Trump.
However, Ukraine suffers the most. U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth recently stated at NATO headquarters: "Restoring Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic. “ And he also stated that the US doesn't see Kyiv joining NATO as part of a peace plan. President Trump echoed from afar, saying that Putin won't allow Ukraine to join NATO. The 2014 Crimea dispute is no longer a dispute, and the Ukrainian territories occupied over the past three years are more likely to be incorporated into Russian territory. As if this weren't enough, the tens of billions of dollars in military aid for Ukraine's war effort aren't free. At the very least, you can't escape the US portion. Rumors suggest the White House intends to claim half of Ukraine's rare-earth elements as compensation.
Compared to the American aggression, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi seemed more amicable at the conference. In his speech, he used an inclusive tone, stating that China views Europe as a partner, not an adversary, and emphasized China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. During bilateral talks with German Chancellor Scholz, Wang Yi also said that China is willing to deepen its comprehensive cooperative relationship with Germany and called for China and the EU to "strengthen complementary advantages, deepen practical cooperation," "adhere to free trade, and practice multilateralism."
The above is based on a Deutsche Welle report. Western scholars ask: "Is China's goodwill towards Europe aimed at filling the power vacuum left by America's withdrawal from the international stage?" Graham Allison, the American scholar who proposed the "Thucydides Trap," affirms: "As a rising power, China will undoubtedly do its utmost to replace America's former role." Allison adds that Beijing has seized opportunities since Trump took office and immediately announced withdrawal from the World Health Organization and other international organizations. "Xi Jinping has noticed many opportunities here. If the U.S. doesn't play its cards right, Beijing will find it easier to succeed."
My view is simple and direct: The current international situation has been reshuffled, with America abandoning Europe to embrace Putin, freeing up resources to deal with China in the Asia-Pacific. As a result: 1) Small countries no longer have a say in global affairs; 2) American power is depleted, unable to maintain its "unipolar multi-strong" hegemony; 3) As we enter the 21st century, a "tripolar" world of China, Russia, and the U.S. has formed, dominating the globe. These three poles, running parallel, can continue to expand and strengthen globalization while simultaneously calculating for their national interests. One can expect exciting developments. In short: "Watch the geopolitical chessboard—as the East rises and the West falters, a crisis becomes a turning point."
Occupying the position of a great power means striving to be the best and strongest, with no room for compromise. From now on, we should abandon the cliché of "Who cares about the 'rise of great powers'? At least I don't." Today, we all witness the sorrow of "a broken nation, where mountains and rivers no longer exist." How can we not lament?
Deep Blue
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
Trump's talking up his China visit next year with all the enthusiasm of a dealmaker closing a big one. Fine. But the thing is: America's got to pick between two paths ahead. Either Washington works with Beijing to uphold a genuine international order—not the selective "rules-based" playbook the West loves to cite—or it rallies the old imperial gang for an "Empire Strikes Back" scenario across the Asia-Pacific.
Two days back, China's carrier Fujian slipped through the Taiwan Strait. First time since commissioning. The Fujian isn't just China's third carrier—it's the first one designed, developed, and built entirely in China, and it's got electromagnetic catapults. That's not just hardware. That's a statement.
Then, Washington green-lit $11.15 billion in arms sales to Taiwan—the biggest weapons package to the island in U.S. history. The Pentagon's spin? The sales "serve “U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability." China's Foreign Ministry didn't mince words today: U.S. arms sales to support (Taiwan) independence will only backfire on itself.
Okinawa Radar Games
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Japan are making their big moves. On December 15, Japan's Ministry of Defense signed a land lease deal to deploy mobile radar on Okinawa's easternmost island—all to track Chinese carriers and aircraft operating between Okinawa and Miyako islands. Beijing's spokesperson fired back with a pointed question: Is Japan creating incidents and engaging in close-range provocations to provide cover and excuses for its own military expansion? Is it following the track of right-wing forces down the evil and dead-end path of militarism?
Here's something worth to note: Japan's an old imperial power too. And it was once a major carrier nation.
Back in September, the U.S. military website Army Recognition broke the story that China's first nuclear-powered carrier, the 004, is already under construction. When foreign media pressed China's Defense Ministry on whether "China is building a fourth aircraft carrier and whether it will be nuclear-powered," the spokesperson played it cool: they "do not have specific information."
But as the saying goes: God is in the details. Expert analysis suggests the PLA's aiming to go toe-to-toe with America's supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford. The 004 nuclear carrier is expected to displace somewhere between 110,000 and 120,000 tons with a length of 340 meters—outclassing the Ford-class at 100,000 tons and 337 meters. The 004's projected to carry over 90 aircraft, beating the Ford's roughly 75.
Twenty-Five Years, Three Carriers
What can you call a miracle? Everyone knows aircraft carriers were the domain of major industrial powers from the early 20th century, taking a full century of development to achieve dominance over the seven seas. Here's some context: China purchased the Varyag in 1999 and started refitting it at Dalian Shipyard on April 26, 2002. On September 25, 2012, it was officially renamed Liaoning and entered service. China went from zero to carrier capability in just 25 years. Are Chinese carriers really viable? That's the question many netizens keep asking—mainly the ones from Japan.
The great architect and Bauhaus pioneer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe summed up his life's work by pointing out that architecture lives in the details. "Precise details and vivid vitality can create a great work," he said. Flip side? Sloppy details destroy order and rules—as terrifying as the devil himself.
China's carrier success reflects its industrial achievements and excellent execution capability—rooted in outstanding historical traditions. Look at the infrastructure built during the “Spring and Autumn” and “Warring States” periods: the Qin Speedway, Dujiangyan, Zhengguo Canal, and the Great Wall. You'll quickly realize that Chinese culture goes way beyond mere "craftsmanship." What's the difference? Strategic vision combined with meticulous attention to detail.
Trump's Details Problem
Trump doesn't sweat the small stuff—but he can't establish himself through integrity either. Take the Nobel Peace Prize, for instance. Today's world isn't the world of 200 years ago. America's current situation looks exactly like Spain's futile attachment to the Americas back then. But perhaps it's even worse, and this comes down to details: U.S. carrier aircraft repeatedly lose wheels during takeoff, and there have been incidents of accidentally shooting down their own planes in the darkness.
Postscript: Don't know what you're thinking, Trump. But if you want to fight, you've got to get the details right first—especially quality control. A superpower can't be this sloppy and disorganized, yeah?
