According to Dams, it is certain that China will only become more powerful in the near future. Both politically and militarily. “Beijing has stated in policy documents that it should be able to win any war with any opponent within 10 to 15 years.” This is an unequivocal message. “China is preparing for a long-term confrontation.”
For the United States, this is an existential challenge, Dams says. “It undermines America’s self-image as a hegemon.” It’s different in Europe, he says. For us, the risks of cooperation with China can be absorbed.
World with two superpowers
The Chinese expert believes that we should focus right now on Europe’s position in about twenty or thirty years, in a world that by then will be divided between these two superpowers. Simple distrust will not achieve this. “It makes no sense to look only at possible military action from Beijing.”
We have to work better with China, he says. ‘That’s why it’s important to act with a common voice towards China and claim at least one seat at the table.
Common European voice
Dams refers to the ASML Dutch chipmaker discussion. ‘We don’t sit together like Europe and China around the table. Talks are also sweeping across the United States. Europe is seen as a playing field, but not as a protagonist».