For the first time since 1950 China has lost its record as most populated nation worldwide. Now, according to United Nations’ esteems India has replaced it.
These forecasts showing a slacking growth of China’s population are a result of the “One Child Policy” the nation has implemented in 1980s to slow down the demographic increase. This restrictive measure proves its unsuccess on the long run. Old Chinese population is increasing and the habit to favor sons, practicing preventive abortions in case of a future daughter, caused great imbalance in terms of gender. There are 32 milion more men than women.
Meanwhile, in India population has grown beyond one billion since 1950. Although demography increas is now slowing, the number of pople in the Country is forecasted to keep increasing for the next decades, until reaching 1.7 billion in 2064.
Competition between States: India and China
Relationships between India and China have recently been characterized by territory disputes, like Kashmir, specifically the North-West area named Aksai Chin, in Hotan county in Xinjiang region. India claims the territory as part of its jurisdiction. Another disputed territory is Arunachal Pradesh region, that India rules as its own, but China declares is part of Tibet and therefore revindicates sovereignty.
Reasons of tension between the two nations, that often almost started a war, are not only territorial.
India is reluctant about accepting Chinese hegemony in the Asian-Pacific and a projection of control in Southern Chinese Sea and Indian Ocean with a view of economic and military expansion.
About this, China regards an area extending from Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Chittagong (Bangladesh) to Sittwe (Myanmar) as its area of influence.
Another reason of tensions between China and India is the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (Cpec). A corridor made of rails, ports, energy infrastructures that crosses not only Belucistan and Xinjiang, but also Kashmir.
Lastly, last reason for the dispute between India and China is Gwadar port. Not only does the port play a crucial role in the China-Pakistan Corridor: it is also a prominent infrastructure for Chinese economic development.
A game of alliances
Besides the Elephant and the Dragon sharing similar territory and population extensions, China has without a doubt obtained higher economic growth in the 2000s, affirming itself as new superpower in terms of military and infrastructures.
The moves of an expanding nation as India could change Asian chess table rules. India presents itself as democratic, friendly bound to the United States, at the same times does not cut its ties with Russia, free to mind its business also when not aligned with NATO’s.
New alliances, like Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as QUAD, strategic dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States, and not adhering to Chinese initiatives tied to One Belt One Road, in conjunction with Indian development are little signs to watch when making hiptesys on future geopolitical scenarios.
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Sources used for this article:
https://www.ispionline.it/it/pubblicazione/cina-e-india-tra-competizione-e-rincorsa-13306
https://www.ispionline.it/it/pubblicazione/india-e-cina-la-grande-sfida-asiatica-37407
Sitaraman, Srini. “ARE INDIA AND CHINA DESTINED FOR WAR?: THREE FUTURE SCENARIOS.” Edited by Alexander L. Vuving. HINDSIGHT, INSIGHT, FORESIGHT: Thinking About Security in the Indo-Pacific. Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep26667.24.
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L'Autore
Graziana Gigliuto
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Graziana Gigliuto è nata e cresciuta in Sicilia. Ha conseguito la laurea magistrale in Relazioni Internazionali Comparate, curriculum Global Studies presso l'università Ca' Foscari di Venezia. Ha conseguito la laurea triennale in Lingue,Culture e Società dell'Asia e dell'Africa Mediterranea, curriculum Cina presso il medesimo ateneo.
Durante i suoi studi non solo ha sviluppato un forte interesse per l'apprendimento di lingue straniere, consolidato durante i soggiorni di studio all'estero, ma anche una spiccata curiosità verso tutto ciò che riguarda la cultura, le dinamiche sociali e la politica estera, in primo luogo dell'Asia, per poi estendersi ad altre aree geografiche.
All'interno della stimolante realtà di Mondo Internazionale ricopre il ruolo di Caporedattore per l'area tematica Società.
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Graziana Gigliuto was born and she grew up in Sicily. She graduated in Master degree in Comparative International Relations, curriculum Global Studies at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in Language,Culture,Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa, curriculum China at the same university.
During her studies, besides developing a strong interest for the process of learning foreign languages, consolidated during her periods of studies abroad, she also developed a particular curiosity regarding culture, social dynamics and foreign policy, initially of Asia, and later of others parts of the globe.
She is working as the Editor in Chief for the Society thematic area in the stimulating reality of Mondo Internazionale.
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