Xi Jinping’s confidence in China’s unstoppable economic rise has driven much of his grand strategy. In the early years of his rule, this prompted the Chinese president to pursue ambitious expansion of Chinese influence abroad, rapid military modernization, and mega-projects like the trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.
After Sino-US relations shattered in the wake of former US President Donald Trump’s trade war, a belief that time was on China’s side likely played a role in Xi’s decision not to compromise. “In our culture, we fight back,” the Chinese strongman reportedly said in June 2018.
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