China no longer fears US, believes world order tilting toward it: Political expert

A research report by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), linked to China’s Ministry of State Security, asserts that Beijing no longer perceives the US as an unstoppable force capable of derailing its rise. Titled *The Great Global Transformation and the Path to US-China Coexistence*, the document frames current tensions using Mao Zedong’s theory of protracted war, where a weaker power absorbs pressure before overtaking a stronger rival. According to geopolitical commentator Arnaud Bertrand, who analyzed the report, China believes it has already endured the US’s toughest measures—including trade wars, technology restrictions, sanctions, and tariffs—while maintaining its economic trajectory. The report argues that the US’s ‘best punch’ has already landed, and Beijing now views Washington as a manageable condition rather than an existential threat. Unlike previous Chinese strategic writings, the document lacks the traditional urgency about the US, signaling a shift from emergency risk management to normalized competition. Bertrand notes that Beijing no longer sees the US as capable of fundamentally halting China’s rise, though economic friction—particularly over Taiwan—remains a concern. The report suggests the global order may gradually revolve around China, driven by its economic strength, manufacturing power, and technological influence rather than military confrontation. Bertrand highlights that China’s vision of success does not rely on direct conflict but on a world quietly reorganizing itself around its centrality. US strategic documents and official statements are cited as evidence that Washington now acknowledges China as a near-peer competitor, marking the end of uncontested US dominance. The report concludes that while challenges persist, China’s long-term trajectory remains unaffected by US pressure.