No China impact – rise is peaceful and won’t escalate – alliances, military power, incentive, assurances solve

Medin 20 [John Theodore Medin, Johns Hopkins University, Master of Arts in Government. Master’s Thesis. "RISING TENSIONS: THE EFFECTS OF CHINA’S RISE ON THE UNITED STATES, CHINA’S REGIONAL NEIGHBORS, AND THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM." https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/62699/MEDIN-THESIS-2020.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y]

The international system, which can be defined as the western-backed liberal system that has existed since the end of World War II, is being impacted in subtle ways due to China’s rise. China's rise will harm the current western-backed international system because China has utilized its newfound strength the erode the liberal norms and values which the system is based on. China has looked for ways to contribute to the international system while altering the system to suit its ideals of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations. China has used its growing influence to curtail and limit attempts by the international system to deal with a variety of issues, including human rights. It has also looked for ways to undermine the Washington Consensus, which advocates for political and economic reforms in nations, for its own Beijing Consensus that only focuses on the economic growth of nations. This new concept has further undermined the norms and values of the international system as other nations can look for aid and funding from an alternative source which is not as concerned about social and political reforms such as environmental protections, anti-corruption measures, and human rights. However, the international system is still principally controlled by the Western powers of the United States and the European Union who maintain a distinct advantage over China economically, politically, and militarily. Their extensive system of alliances, which have been cultivated over the last several decades, also means that the international system has a loyal following of supporters committed to its maintenance and continuance. China's rise will allow it greater power and flexibility to allow it to alter the international system along the edges. However, overall, the rise of China will have a limited adverse impact on the international system as China alters the system around the edges by looking for ways to erode the values and norms, such as human rights and democracy, using its influence. However, it will not be a severe threat to the existing global order or its institutions because it has an interest in maintaining the status quo and does not have the power to alter it drastically.

In conclusion, China’s rise will have a limited negative impact on the United States, China’s regional neighbors, and the international system. These impacts include unfair economic trade practices that hurt the United States and other nations around the world while continuing to fund its rise. This economic growth enables China to increasingly challenge the United States and bully its regional neighbors in pursuit of China’s national interests and the growing ability to withstand diplomatic pressure attempting to China’s bad behavior, such as its aggressive actions in the South China Sea and flagrant violations of human rights. China also uses this economic power to pressure other nations, fearful of economic repercussions, into altering key aspects of the international system to better suit China’s interests and condone bad behavior. However, the United States, China’s neighbors, and the international community have the power to limit and roll back these short-term negative effects. Policymakers and scholars are becoming increasingly aware that China is actively trying to alter the global order to suit its national interests and cannot be ignored. China’s current capabilities may not allow it to pursue its national interests aggressively, but if its capabilities increase, it will most likely change its behavior and show different motives. The United States and international community can continue to work constructively with China on a variety of issues of mutual interest such as counterterrorism and North Korea. However, they can no longer be afraid to push back against China’s actions. The top priorities should target China’s main source of power, its economy, by forcing China to end its long-standing unfair trade practices. It should also enforce the international norms and standards that the international system claims to stand by publicly calling out China for any of its offenses. Working constructively with China should not mean giving in to China’s demands as it so frequently has in the past. Now is the time for the United States and the international community to create a united front to firmly reject when China oversteps while the US and the international community have the upper hand.