In any outbreak of conflict, both parties often face significant losses.
Take the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example, to this day, neither side has been able to gain substantial benefits.
On paper, Russia's strength appears to far exceed that of Ukraine, yet even with NATO's assistance, Ukraine can still contend with Russia.
NATO countries aid Ukraine often out of their own strategic considerations, not purely for defending the rights and peace of a sovereign nation.
In contrast, China typically adopts peaceful approaches to handle global conflicts and strives to facilitate ceasefire agreements.
Despite China's demonstration of a peaceful stance, some countries led by the West continually provoke.
Today, China has firmly established itself as the world's top industrial power.
History has shown that when the leading industrial nation falls into crisis, the consequences are unimaginable.
Therefore, the world should cherish the existence of peace-loving China.
Does controlling industry equate to controlling war?
Looking at historical wars, almost all conflicts indicate that countries with strong industrial capabilities often emerge victorious, provided their strategies are sound.
Taking the current Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example, there is a significant disparity in industrial capabilities between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia's industrial strength is evidently superior to Ukraine's.
Without the aid of NATO countries, Ukraine might have already been defeated.
In other words, Russia's industrial capability is currently on a downward trend.
Compared to the Soviet Union's glorious period, Russia's current industrial capability has significantly regressed.
Therefore, although Russia holds the initiative on the battlefield, it cannot gain substantial benefits from the conflict.
Russia's conflict also carries a certain national protective tint, but industrial capability directly affects its performance in war.
The late Qing Dynasty's inability to resist Western colonial powers is a typical example.
Due to its isolationist policies and backward industrial capabilities, the late Qing Dynasty could not fend off the invasion of Western powers.
Hence, the strength of industrial capabilities directly impacts a country's performance on the battlefield.
Industrial development is the core premise for the development of national military strength; military materials and technology cannot be separated from industrial capabilities.
Understanding the linkage between industrial capabilities and national military strength, we continue to explore its impact on a country.
What happens when the world's most industrially capable country joins a war?
A classic example is the rise of the United States.
Although China does not fully favor the United States, it must be acknowledged that the process by which the U.S. developed from a colonized area to the world's most powerful country is indeed a miracle.
After World War I, the U.S. was not strictly a global power, but everything changed with the advent of the Roosevelt administration.
Under Roosevelt's leadership, the U.S. almost elevated industrial development to an obsessive level.
A mature industrial system brought about the development of military technology, which in turn propelled the rapid growth of the American economy.
The operation of more industrial enterprises provided sufficient international orders, meeting domestic employment needs, and industrial development elevated technology and economic levels, a process of accumulating strength.
During this phase, America's industrial power thrived and actively showcased its influence internationally.
The U.S. typically targeted countries with weaker industrial capabilities in its wars, those nearby or relatively close.
Through a series of wars, such as seizing Louisiana from France, Florida from Spain, and Texas through the Mexican-American War, the U.S. continually expanded its territory.
This expansion best exemplifies the enhancement of national military strength driven by industrial capability development.
However, prolonged wars also brought great consumption to the country itself.
Many believe the U.S. got rich by selling arms during World War II.
In fact, as mentioned earlier, the U.S. had already developed sufficient industrial capacity after World War I.
At the beginning of World War II, the U.S. did not participate in the war, ostensibly as a neutral country advocating world peace, but was actively engaged in arms trade.
As long as there was funding, the U.S. quickly supplied arms and reaped profits swiftly.
With the accumulation of funds, the U.S. invested more resources into military technology research, such as the famous Manhattan Project.
Under this correct strategic state, the U.S. attracted a large number of scientific talents to participate in military research, driving its rapid military technological development.
Due to stable domestic conditions, the U.S. maintained neutrality while supplying arms externally until the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, after which the U.S. formally entered the war.
The Manhattan Project ultimately led to two atomic bombs being dropped on Japan, bringing World War II to an end.
From the U.S.'s performance in World War II and the enormous destruction caused in various wars afterward, it is evident that the consequences of an industrial power entering a war are nightmarish for its enemies!
Is the U.S. still the world's top industrial power?
From the perspective of industrial scale, this is not the case.
Today, China has become the world's top country in industrial development.
Although the U.S. remains at the forefront globally in military strength and possesses a large number of nuclear weapons, modern warfare differs from traditional wars of World War II; modern wars between strong nations have not occurred to date.
However, an industrial system is a key support for prolonged war at any time and place.
For the growth of a nation's strength, countries with strong industrial capabilities are more likely to secure a place internationally.
Reflecting on the post-war reconstruction process of the U.S. and Japan, Japan rebuilt its industrial foundation within ten years after the war, rapidly becoming one of the world's economic powers, with astonishing industrial technology development speed.
After the destruction of World War II, Japan, as an industrial power, gradually ranked among the world's powers.
Clearly, industrial strength plays a crucial role in the growth of national military power and economic development.
Industrial strength not only affects a nation's military and economic development but also significantly influences its foreign policy.
In the context of globalization, industrial powers are typically among the most influential countries in the international community.
As an industrial power, China occupies a unique position in international affairs and must actively respond to various international challenges and opportunities.
For instance, under the "Belt and Road" initiative, China has signed cooperation agreements with dozens of countries, covering multiple fields such as industry, agriculture, and culture.
These cooperation agreements not only drive domestic economic development but also contribute to the international industrial powers.
Additionally, China's development in technology has gained international recognition.
For example, China's progress in 5G technology and artificial intelligence has become a focal point in the international community.
In conclusion, industrial strength is a crucial foundation for a nation's path to becoming powerful.
It influences not only military and economic development but also significantly impacts foreign policy.
In today's globalized world, China must continue to maintain a high level of industrial development and play an active role in international affairs.
Therefore, China needs to strengthen development in the industrial sector, enhance its industrial strength, and thereby promote economic development and national power.
Kommentare