China’s rise ‘unstoppable’ as US grows tired of policing the world: Zhou Bo

A book of essays by the retired PLA senior colonel examines the question of whether the world should fear China

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Advanced military technology is transforming the PLA into a global navy, in line with China’s stated ambition, according to retired Senior Colonel Zhou Bo. Photo: Weibo/Eastern Theatre Command

Published: 11:00am, 8 Apr 2025

Time is on Beijing’s side in the Taiwan Strait, according to a former People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officer who argues that, while President Donald Trump pressures Washington’s allies, mainland China is focused on building a hi-tech “global navy”.

Retired PLA Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, who is now a senior fellow with Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy, said the Taiwan issue was a potential flashpoint for conflict, but added that “the geography will not change”.

However, Taiwan is not the only issue driving Beijing’s military build-up – especially of its navy, according to Zhou, who also described mainland China’s rise and influence in the international order as “unstoppable”.

“Yes, China is a country that is still divided, but the Taiwanese issue – one of China’s core issues – is not the whole issue,” Zhou told the Post ahead of the publication of Should the World Fear China? – a collection of his essays written between 2013 and 2024.

“Because for major powers like China, there are actually two more missions for its military. One is to safeguard its overseas interests, another is to shoulder its international responsibilities,” he said.

In the 102 essays and opinion pieces for numerous international media outlets featured in the book, Zhou examines the questions facing Beijing as its status rises on the world stage.

He also addresses concerns about China’s rising international status and its influence in geopolitics and relations with other countries in the book, which will be published by C. Hurst & Co this month.