The relationship between China and the rest of the world has always been a complex one, fraught with tension and conflict. Whether it is the ongoing trade war, disputes over territorial claims, or concerns about human rights violations, there seem to be no easy solutions to the challenges posed by China’s rise as a global power. However, as much as we may want to point fingers and assign blame, the reality is that the situation with China can never be resolved without disaster unless we first deal with the China in ourselves.

What do we mean by the “China in ourselves”? Simply put, we mean that many of the issues we see in our relationship with China are rooted in our own fears, biases, and insecurities. We are quick to judge China’s human rights record or economic policies, but we are often blind to our own faults and shortcomings. We may be critical of China’s lack of transparency, but we ourselves may be guilty of the same when it comes to our own actions and policies.

This is not to say that China is blameless or that we should ignore the very real challenges posed by its rise as a global power. However, it is to say that we cannot simply blame China for all our problems without examining our own role in creating them. We need to acknowledge that many of the issues we face with China are not just geopolitical or economic, but also cultural and psychological.

As we consider the current situation with China, it becomes clear that our addiction to cheap goods is not just a matter of personal consumption habits, but a systemic issue that perpetuates and reinforces inequality. We cannot hope to resolve the challenges we face with China without first dealing with the China in ourselves.

This addiction to cheap goods is not limited to physical products like clothes and gadgets, but extends to a global system that prioritizes profit margins and convenience over people and the planet. The demand for low-cost goods is often met by exploitative labor practices, environmental degradation, and other forms of social injustice. In turn, this creates a cycle of inequality that harms millions of people around the world.

To break this cycle, we must first acknowledge the true cost of our consumption habits. We must recognize that the price we pay for goods and services does not always reflect the true cost of production, and that marginalized and vulnerable communities are often the most affected by this system. We must take responsibility for our own role in perpetuating this cycle of inequality and be willing to pay a fair price for the things we consume.

However, simply paying a fair price is not enough. We must also address the root causes of inequality and work towards a more equitable and just global economy. This requires confronting issues like wealth concentration, resource depletion, and social injustice head-on. It may mean making changes in policy and consumer behavior, and rethinking the way we value the goods and services we consume.

Ultimately, the issue of cheap stuff is a symptom of a much deeper problem in our global economy. If we want to resolve the challenges we face with China and create a more just world, we must be willing to confront this systemic issue and work towards solutions that prioritize people and the planet over profit margins and convenience. Only then can we truly address the China in ourselves and build a better future for all.

For example, we may fear China’s growing influence and power because it threatens our own sense of identity and superiority. We may be biased against China because of stereotypes or misperceptions we have about its people and culture. We may be insecure about our own ability to compete with China economically or technologically, leading us to resort to protectionist measures or cyberattacks.

To deal with the China in ourselves, we need to first acknowledge and confront these fears, biases, and insecurities. We need to be willing to engage in honest and open dialogue with China, rather than resorting to name-calling, sanctions, or military posturing. We need to be willing to learn about and appreciate Chinese culture, rather than dismissing it as “foreign” or “strange”. We need to be willing to work with China as a partner, rather than treating it as an adversary or enemy.

In doing so, we may find that many of the issues we face with China are not as insurmountable as we once thought. We may find that we have more in common with China than we realized, and that by working together we can achieve more than we ever could alone. We may find that by dealing with the China in ourselves, we can build a more peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious world for all.