Works Cited
Arshad, Faheem, et al. “Impact of respect, equity, and leadership in brain health.” Frontiers in Neurology, 2023, pp. 1 – 4, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10442505/pdf/fneur-14-1198882.pdf.
Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany. Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html.
Hobbes, Michael. “Happiness.” Goethe Institut, 2021, https://www.goethe.de/prj/tbp/en/eps/hap.html.
O’Mathúna, Dónal P. “Human dignity in the Nazi era: implications for contemporary bioethics.” BMC Medical Ethics, 2006, pp. 1 – 12. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16536874/.
Singer, Tania, et al. “Empathic neural responses are modulated by the perceived fairness of others.” Nature, 2006, pp. 1-11. Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/nature04271.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Nazi Party Freiheit und Brot [Freedom and bread] campaign pin.” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 2005, https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn517407.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Victims of the Nazi Era: Nazi Racial Ideology | Holocaust Encyclopedia.” Holocaust Encyclopedia, 20 September 2024, https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/victims-of-the-nazi-era-nazi-racial-ideology. Accessed 29 October 2025.
China’s Expansion Plans Around History and Now
China’s long history has been marked by continuous expansion, through military conquests in the past and through economic and diplomatic means now. From its ancient dynasties to its modern global ambitions, China has consistently tried to extend its power and influence beyond its borders. Understanding this history helps explain China’s current strategy to change the world order in its favor.
During the imperial era, China’s expansion was driven by the desire for security, resources, and centralized control. The Han Dynasty expanded southward into present-day Vietnam and Korea and established the Silk Road, connecting China to Central Asia and beyond. The Tang and Yuan Dynasties extended China’s political and cultural influence deep into all parts of Asia through trade, protectorates, and a tributary system that emphasized China’s central role in regional affairs. The Qing Dynasty, China’s last and largest imperial dynasty, reached its vast territorial size by annexing regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia.
After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, China suffered from an instability marked by internal conflicts and foreign invasions. However, following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the nation gradually regained strength. Instead of pursuing territorial conquest, modern Chinese leaders like Deng Xiaoping focused on consolidating control within existing borders and rebuilding their global status through economic growth, industrialization, and modernization. This internal stability became the foundation for China’s new international ambitions.
In the 21st century, China’s expansion has taken a new form through the Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping. This massive infrastructure and investment project connects Asia, Europe, and Africa through roads, ports, railways, and digital networks. The initiative aims to strengthen China’s global economic influence by linking developing countries to its trade and technology systems. Alongside the BRI, China promotes the “Digital Silk Road,” exporting telecommunications and superior technology to expand its digital footprint and set international standards.
While China’s modern expansion might bring opportunities for development in developing nations, it also brings concerns. Critics warn of “debt-trap diplomacy,” where developing nations become financially dependent on Chinese loans. Others fear that China’s growing influence challenges the balance of global power and undermines democratic values. Still, China continues to push forward using various methods to seize its hegemony in the world just like it did in East Asia.
In conclusion, China’s expansion has evolved from imperial conquest to global connections. Its historical drive to extend power has transformed into a modern strategy that uses trade, technology, and diplomacy as tools of influence. From the Silk Road of the Ancient Han Dynasty to the Belt and Road Initiative of today, China’s enduring ambition to alter the world’s order remains central to its desire and to the future of international relations.
By. Jungwoo Choe
Works Cited
Belt and road: China’s Global Expansion. International Bar Association. (n.d.). https://www.ibanet.org/article/4C748836-B7E1-405B-AF44-7DCBEA257E64