The Path to Power: China’s “Make Yourself Strong” Doctrine

Power in global politics is rarely an accident. In a conversation with Fred Teng, president of the America China Public Affairs Institute, this episode traces the logic behind China’s rise: economics first.

By strengthening domestic business and creating wealth, China built the resources required for a modern military. That military capacity then supported a more assertive foreign policy. The sequence captures a central reality of international affairs: without economic and military foundations, foreign policy can easily become dependence on stronger states.