Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, an Axios reporter and author of "Beijing Rules," dives into the complexities of China's quest for global influence and its economic strategies that leverage coercion. She outlines how Western companies navigate ethical dilemmas, such as forced labor in Xinjiang, and the impact of censorship on media and markets. The conversation also critiques Western trade policies in relation to authoritarian practices and discusses the concept of an 'economic NATO' to combat Chinese economic coercion. Insightful, timely, and thought-provoking!
China has weaponized its economy to shape the behavior of companies, forcing them to choose between profitability and moral implications.
China's growing authoritarianism is a national security threat that requires a focus on reestablishing democratic guardrails on economic behavior within our own systems.
Deep dives
China's Economic Statecraft and Its Influence on Global Behavior
Bethany Allen Ibrahimia's book explores how China has weaponized its economy to shape the behavior of companies, individuals, and governments in line with its core interests. By leveraging its economic power, the Chinese government has effectively forced multinational companies to either stay quiet on issues like democracy and human rights to access the Chinese market or speak out and risk being banned. This has created a dilemma for companies that must navigate the tension between profitability and the moral implications of their actions.
The Disconnect Between Trade Behavior and Democratic Values
China has exploited the neoliberal model of lightly regulated capitalism, which has allowed trade behavior to be delinked from political values. While Western countries perceive China's growing authoritarianism as a national security threat, few have addressed the underlying issue of trade behavior being disconnected from democratic values. Instead of solely focusing on countering China's influence, there is a need to reestablish democratic guardrails on economic behavior within own systems.
The Chinese Government's Action during the COVID-19 Crisis
China's initial suppression of public health information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the extent to which the Chinese government uses political influence to shape global narratives. The Chinese government has sought to censor and suppress discussions about the pandemic's origins, leading to concerns about the lack of independent investigations. The international community's failure to hold China accountable and the absence of checks on economic behavior and democratic values have further complicated the global response to China's influence.
Is China’s ascendance to world leadership an unstoppable force or a challenge we can overcome? Axios reporter Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian's recent book, Beijing Rules: How China Weaponized Its Economy to Confront the World, looks to help answer that question. For several decades Chinese ascendancy has been supported by an astonishingly broad and deep portfolio of quiet coercion. The stories are breathtaking – Chinese-sponsored reporting in national newspapers and academia; the gagging of sports stars and huge Western brands; Hollywood self-censorship; utilisation of private companies for surveillance. Joining Allen-Ebrahimian in conversation is Intelligence Squared's Conor Boyle.
If you’d like to hear the extended version of this conversation while supporting Intelligence Squared's mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as being able to enjoy exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared. Just visit: