China Chased; the Rise of India

For a long time, China had enjoyed hegemony in the Far East. As a prominent player in the new ‘Great Game’, the current world order revolves around China, due to its large population supporting its politico-economic power. But now, that hegemony seems less secure after the rise of India.

Recently, India took the title of being the most populous country in the world from China after decades of population growth-which is still expected to grow, and reach its peak in 2064 with a total of 1.7 billion people. For China, the future looks grim; after decades of population control since 1979, showcased by the infamous one-child policy which curbed China's population growth via fines, forced abortions and sterilizations, the laws have done too well. 86,000 babies are born a day in India, while just 49,400 are born in China.

With the East Asian hegemon now facing a large portion of the population numbering well over a billion slowly growing older, severe economic and political consequences are likely to follow-with no clear solution. With an increasing number of the population becoming elderly, and lower workers every passing year to work in the many factories the country has attracted across the world-and built as well, China`s prominence as the Factory of the World may take a big hit. Moreover, the decline in cheap workforce will lead the foreign companies to relocate their factories elsewhere, like India, while leaving China to deal with unemployment, recession, and a severe financial problem to help support the surplus elderly.

If such predictions come to life, with such pressing matters, it is unlikely that China will be able to assert its dominance over Taiwan, increase its hegemony and spheres of influence around the world, or take over its rival America as the leading world superpower. Hence, that is what the Chinese leadership fears. Although the change in world politics remains ready to be seen, the implications are all too clear, and perhaps, it has already begun.