1. Patrick Shanahan, the acting US defence secretary, singled out China as a key priority in a “great power competition” on his first full day in his new role at the Pentagon on Wednesday, continuing a course set by his predecessor.... “While we are focused on ongoing operations, Acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember China, China, China,” an anonymous defence official was quoted as saying.... 2. As more white supremacists from the US military, political parties and the white heartland are gripped by Sinophobia, hawkish voices from America are growing louder day by day. This is not new to China as the US had gone all out from 1949 to 1972 to denuclearise China by imposing sanctions -- just like what it is doing now to Iran and North Korea. Let us find out the reasons for the utter failure of the US sanctions at that time, for which I coin the term "military denuclearisation". (a) At that time, China was absolutely poor, having no industrial base or a global brands like Huawei. Its warplanes could not even match their counterparts from across the other side of the Strait, yet it was able to weather the storm due to its resolve to stand firm on the "rock" of principles and sovereignty throughout that crucial period. (b) More importantly, China did not harbour any delusion that the US would mete out any mercy or reward had it kowtowed to Uncle Sam. (c) Throughout the crisis, the Chinese held their heads high and showing some backbone in dealing with the US. 3. I coin the term "economic denuclearisation" for the so-called trade war which is a new round of sanctions in disguise. Like the first, the disguised sanctions which could last as long as 20 years. As the US views China as its rival now, we can expect its economic assaults on Chinese companies to be more brutal and ruthless. China has to look back to history to find out how to deal with the US in the latest life-and-death struggle. The above three factors are as vital as ever for China's survival. Most important of all, China must reckon with the reality the US will contain its rise at all costs, even to the extent of sacrificing the economic interests of many US companies. China must not be deluded by any US "peace" overture or be intimated by any threat as Trump blows hot and cold from one moment to the next. China must bear in mind that Trump has ruled out any 50-50 deal or meeting it halfway in the trade talks even though he preaches fair, free and reciprocal trade. On the one hand, China must not underestimate the US resolve to stem its rise. On the other hand, China must make known to the US not to underestimate the resolve of one fifth of mankind to fight the "war of resistance" to the very end. While most Chinese may be prepared to fight to the finish, one worrying aspect is some may opt for a policy of appeasement after growing "soft" in many years of prosperity. 4. In remarks during closed-door talks, Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan told civilian leaders of the US military to remember “China, China, China” even as they wage counter-insurgency battles. He told the audience that “there are no such things as fair competitions – there’s just competition”. And he acknowledged that the US would “operate in a contested environment” in the great power rivalry. Similarly, China must remember "US Imperialism, US Imperialism, US Imperialism" and be prepared to struggle to the last against the American Imperialist.
