In an article from the Washington Post, Ishaan Tharoor describes the struggles of China’s leader Xi Jinping. Tharoor details many issues that China is facing, such as: a shrinking and aging work force, real estate debt, worsening economic performance, and international disputes.
Challenging the “sleeping dragon” narrative, Tharoor provides a story relevant to all Americans. A weaker China changes how the U.S. will conduct itself abroad as many Americans rely on Chinese products or Chinese manufacturing. Americans will be forced to reconsider where they will manufacture many of the products that they consume without a stable Chinese system.
Tharoor’s article may not have immediate impact on the lives of Americans, though his warning and concern for the future of China is warranted. The concept of Tharoor’s article, a declining China, has vast and historical impact on the lives of Americans and could shape the future of American diplomacy and economics.
The article displays a few tangible circumstances about Xi’s struggles, though it relies too heavily on the opinion on American analysts. American analysts are incentivized to write unfavorably about the future of China. The impact of this article is not one that is readily felt by the reader. The impact relies on the word of analysts rather than something that can be demonstrated empirically.
“Warning” does seem appropriate here. I’ve seen lots of headlines about the economic slowdown in China, which could potentially be bad for the rest of the world.
Now that we’re into leads and organization, make that part of your critique.