When does China go to war? Explaining China's Covid19-driven perceived vulnerability in 2020

This paper argues that China intruded at multiple points along the LAC in May 2020 to showcase strength amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which is believed to have originated in Wuhan. COVID-19 led to large scale deaths and a global economic meltdown with Beijing severely criticized for the emergence of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:India review (London, England) England), 2024-10, Vol.23 (5), p.436-446
Main Author: Godbole, Avinash
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This paper argues that China intruded at multiple points along the LAC in May 2020 to showcase strength amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which is believed to have originated in Wuhan. COVID-19 led to large scale deaths and a global economic meltdown with Beijing severely criticized for the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, poor regulation of the animal markets, suppressing information and failure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 beyond China's borders. This caused immense damage to China's international reputation and status, its economy, and relations with other countries. Border incursions by China in May 2020 were a guise to highlight China's strength lest India consider China in a weakened state and gain leverage over Beijing in the bilateral relationship. Through border incursions, Beijing wanted to mask its vulnerability created by COVID-19 and showcase its willingness to not compromise over its security interests. China is both powerful and insecure about its status. This combination makes it undertake a particularly pessimistic security-centric outlook and more likely to engage in risky behavior. Like in the previous instances, the use of military force against India in the year 2020 stemmed from a sense of vulnerability caused by loss of status due to Covid19.
ISSN:1473-6489
1557-3036
DOI:10.1080/14736489.2024.2423545