The rise of China, Ben Reid

The increasing role of the People’s Republic of China in the world economy poses important issues for Marxists. China has developed increasing trade foreign, investment and aid ties with a range of Third World countries since 2000. This and the progressive restoration of private capitalism since the early-1990s has led some to even argue that China has now emerged as an imperialist country in its own right. These claims are tested against the definitions of imperialism given by Marxists writers such as Lenin, Luxemburg and Bukharin. The historical and statistical evidence suggests that although China’s domestic capital accumulation and relations with the Third World are growing, it remains a marginal player in comparison to the wealthy-imperialist countries. China’s actions are perhaps better understood as a form of sub-imperialism where it remains in a subordinated position within the international division of labour.

Ben Reid is a member of the RSP and a long-time socialist political activist. He has conducted extensive research on and published articles and one book on politics and economics in the Asia Pacific region.

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