Former Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong once belittled the United States as a “paper tiger.” Pierre-Antoine Donnet, former chief editor of Agence France-Presse who has long researched China, stated in his new book “The Illusion Empire” that now the term “paper tiger” is more suitable to describe China under the rule of Xi Jinping. The illusion of a “peaceful and powerful” China promoted by the Communist Party of China has been shattered, with its extensive propaganda machinery failing, leading to awakening in the West and Asia.
According to reports from the Central News Agency, Donnet’s book titled “The Illusion Empire: China’s Self-Mythology and Global Narratives” has recently been published in Taiwan. As a seasoned expert on China-related issues, Donnet has authored several books on China, including “The Great Plunder of China” and “Life and Death in Tibet.”
Donnet, in a video interview with the Central News Agency, mentioned that over the past few decades, the Communist Party of China has portrayed itself through extensive propaganda as a peace-loving economic powerhouse. The United States believed that by establishing diplomatic relations with China and assisting its entry into the World Trade Organization, China would move towards democracy and openness.
However, Donnet noted that the world has been deceived by the Chinese Communist Party, pointing out that authoritarian regimes are adept at exploiting the weaknesses of democratic systems. Instead of progressing towards democracy and openness, China has been increasingly moving towards authoritarianism and totalitarianism. China’s assertive actions in geopolitical matters have caused tensions with several Asian countries.
Donnet highlighted that China’s “economic miracle” has faltered, with the economic growth rate plummeting to its lowest level in decades and youth unemployment reaching record highs, suggesting that the actual situation is worse than what official figures indicate.
He believes that Western countries naively considered the relationships with China and Russia as mutually beneficial and aligned towards common goals, but recent actions by China and Russia demonstrate that they are forming a “military alliance.” Western nations are slowly realizing that they are not just dealing with China or Russia individually, but with two major powers seeking to reshape the international order. However, both China and Russia have vulnerabilities in their internal economic and social crises.
The book “The Illusion Empire” delves into the Taiwan issue, highlighting that China has constructed Taiwan’s reunification as an essential component of its regime’s legitimacy. China’s legitimacy relies solely on sustained economic development and the concept of “common prosperity”; however, with the current economic turmoil and escalating social conflicts in China, “achieving Taiwan’s reunification” has become a means to support the regime’s legitimacy.
Donnet pointed out that China’s extensive propaganda and dissemination of fake news targeted towards Taiwan, leveraging artificial intelligence to maximize their impact, aiming to instill doubts about democracy among the Taiwanese people, posing one of the biggest challenges for Taiwan. Additionally, military and economic encirclement of Taiwan are among China’s options.
Many are concerned about whether the Chinese Communist Party will attack Taiwan. Donnet believes that China needs to wait as there is no guarantee of success; failure would have severe political and economic repercussions.
He mentioned in his book that after decades, the West and Asia have awakened from the lies spread by the Chinese Communist Party and are beginning to counterbalance China. Renowned contemporary China scholar Geremie R. Barme has stressed that in the face of the era of Xi Jinping’s China, one should not engage in overly lenient or appeasing exchanges with the Chinese authorities and should not blindly believe in Cold War mentality, exaggeration, or falsehoods. Maintaining a stance of neither flattery nor easy concession is crucial when dealing with China.
Donnet expressed that authoritarian regimes pose a significant threat to democratic systems, and democratic countries should unite more than ever before. He emphasized the importance of remaining optimistic but not naive in facing these challenges.