a setback is carefully managed to maintain the image of competence and control among Chinese leaders and the population. This involves controlling the narrative and information flow to downplay any negative developments.
In the case of the India-China border conflict in Ladakh, China would likely downplay casualties, if any, and emphasize its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully while portraying itself as a responsible global actor. The Chinese government has a history of tight control over the media and online information, so it can carefully manage the domestic narrative to minimize any negative fallout.
Overall, China's domestic and foreign policies are interconnected, and its leaders are keen on maintaining stability and control both at home and on the international stage. Managing information and perceptions is a key part of this strategy.
1. The discussion is part of the Media Partners for Orca's organization for research on China and Asia's Global conference.
2. The experts present are Professor Johan Lagerquist from Stockholm University and Dr. Linan from the National University of Singapore.
3. The discussion revolves around the book "Organize Loyalty" and the control that Xi Jinping has over China.
4. There are concerns about the centralization of Chinese politics and the personalization of Chinese politics over the past decade.
5. The discussion also touches upon the fact that it's difficult to gauge the real control that Xi Jinping has over China due to the lack of transparency and the difficulty in getting accurate information from within the country.
6. The experts discuss the possibility of corruption within China, particularly within the military.
7. The discussion also covers the issue of domestic drivers in China's foreign policy, with a focus on Taiwan and the South China Sea.
8. There is a concern about the potential for war, specifically a conflict with Taiwan, and the potential consequences for China.
9. The experts discuss the potential for economic coercion and the possibility of a kinetic war as methods to deter Chinese behavior.
10. The experts also discuss the importance of maintaining a good international image and the potential consequences for the Chinese leaders if they are perceived as incompetent or weak.
11. The discussion also covers the issue of the Chinese society's acceptance of casualties if a war were to occur.
12. The experts discuss the importance of controlling information, especially in times of conflict, to maintain the image of the Chinese leaders and to prevent a rise in nationalism.
13. The experts also discuss the potential for an imminent decision to attack Taiwan, suggesting that such a decision is unlikely in the near future.
14. The experts discuss the issue of popular nationalism in China, suggesting that the Chinese government has always been in tight control of this nationalism and that it has not been driven by foreign policy.
15. The discussion concludes with the experts expressing their personal interpretations of the Chinese military strategy, particularly in relation to India and the South China Sea.