The General & the Journalist China’s power: Is Xi's strategy to supplant the West working? (Part 2)
Sep 10, 2025
Sam Olsen, a seasoned geopolitical strategist and former military intelligence officer, delves into China's strategies for global dominance. He emphasizes China's vital control over the military supply chain, highlighting how the West's dependence on Chinese resources could cripple its defense capabilities. Olsen discusses the complexities of the Chinese economy, including demographic challenges and reliance on exports. He also examines the implications of China's military strategies, especially in the context of global conflicts like Ukraine.
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Xi's Shift From Concealment To Assertion
- Xi shelved the 'hide and bide' approach and decided China should assert its global power in the 2010s.
- He seized a perceived window as American relative power declined after the 2007–08 financial crisis.
Winning The Fourth Industrial Revolution
- Sam condenses China's grand aim as winning the fourth industrial revolution centered on AI and advanced manufacturing.
- Victory would convert technological leadership into lasting economic and political global power.
China's Grip On Critical Minerals
- China dominates critical mineral processing and refined materials that underpin advanced weapons and electronics.
- Western militaries now depend heavily on Chinese-controlled manufacturing and refining of these inputs.
