Coronavirus: A Double-edged Sword for China
In this new CSS Analysis Brian Carlson argues that China’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including its effort to shape the narrative, is likely to have major geopolitical implications. For China, the pandemic is a double-edged sword. The government’s shortcomings in responding to the virus have damaged its image around the world. Yet, Chinese leaders may believe that their country will emerge from the crisis more powerful than before.
The pandemic resulting from the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, could become a pivotal event in world history. Long before the outbreak, the rise of China was gathering force, raising the specter of major structural changes in international politics. The pandemic is likely to accelerate some trends that were already underway while introducing new issues. China’s response to the coronavirus – from the standpoints of public health, domestic politics, the economy, and foreign policy – promises to have important geopolitical ramifications. China’s prestige has taken a hit, but its leaders may nevertheless view the crisis as an opportunity to pursue their foreign policy ambitions.
In Europe, China’s image suffered as the Chinese government attempted to divert blame and claim credit for its handling of the crisis. The pandemic has also contributed to growing tensions in US-China relations, raising questions about the appropriate European response.