China Is Taking Over

China's President Xi Jinping has been vocal about his ambition to not only challenge the existing global order but also to elevate China to the forefront of a new world paradigm. This vision involves a complete overhaul of the current international system, positioning China as the preeminent global power. But what if Xi’s ambitions came to fruition, and China managed to displace the United States from its position of dominance, eventually establishing control over the entire world?

Over the past three decades, Xi has led an extensive modernization campaign, transforming China from a reclusive and impoverished nation into a central player in global politics. Economically and militarily, China has become one of the leading forces in the world, incrementally eroding Western hegemony. The notion of a world led by China is, therefore, not as implausible as it might once have seemed.

Imagine a world where China is not just a significant player but the sole governing entity, controlling every inch of land and water across the globe. What would such a world look like in terms of governance, military, wealth distribution, and daily life?

**Governance Under a Global China**

If China were to extend its control to the entire world, governance would undergo a radical transformation. Currently, China operates under a one-party system dominated by the Communist Party of China (CCP). Since its establishment in 1949 under Mao Zedong, China has been a single-party state with no competing political entities. President Xi Jinping, as the head of the CCP, represents this undivided political authority.

Globally, this would mean an end to the democratic processes that are prevalent in many countries today. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center report, 57% of the world's 167 countries studied were democratic, featuring regular, fair elections. An additional 28% of countries were described as having mixed political systems, combining elements of democracy and autocracy. Countries like Russia, which present themselves as democracies but are heavily influenced by autocratic practices, would also see significant changes.

Under a unified global China, democratic elections and political pluralism would cease to exist. The entire 8.1 billion population would be governed under a single set of rules dictated by the CCP. Although China's constitution, specifically Article 34, guarantees the right to vote and run for office for all citizens, this provision would become meaningless in a world where the CCP is the only political entity. The concept of voting would still persist, but it would only be within the framework of the CCP, with no real opposition or choice.

The CCP's structure, led by Xi Jinping, includes the Politburo Standing Committee, consisting of seven top officials who are Xi's closest advisors. In a global China, Xi might expand this committee to include representatives from various regions or maintain the existing structure, effectively centralizing power. Below this committee is the Politburo, a larger body of 25 members that includes the Standing Committee members. These individuals would wield significant influence over global affairs.

The National People’s Congress (NPC), which currently consists of around 3,000 delegates responsible for lawmaking in China, would likely be expanded to include representatives from the newly incorporated global territories. Despite the expansion, the NPC's fundamental structure would remain unchanged, with elections confined to local levels and all candidates vetted by the CCP. Thus, real political power and decision-making would continue to reside with the top CCP leaders.

**Military Implications**

In a world fully under Chinese control, the necessity for a military might initially seem redundant. With no other nations to contend with, the primary function of the military would shift to internal security. Despite the absence of external threats, the military would likely focus on suppressing internal dissent and insurgencies that seek to restore pre-existing national identities.

China's military, currently one of the largest in the world with approximately 2.54 million personnel, would expand significantly. Using the earlier ratio of 5.78, the global Chinese military could grow to include around 14.7 million soldiers, vastly increasing its size. This would necessitate the establishment of regional military branches to manage the vast territories and populations.

Currently, China does not enforce conscription during peacetime, but in the event of significant unrest, the Central Military Commission could activate conscription policies. This would allow the military to quickly bolster its ranks in response to rebellions or resistance movements.

Moreover, leaving the military could result in severe consequences. For instance, in 2019, a former Chinese soldier faced substantial penalties for attempting to leave the People's Liberation Army (PLA), including travel bans and restrictions on various civil rights. Such punitive measures would likely be applied to those seeking to exit the global Chinese military, ensuring a high level of control and discipline.

**Economic and Wealth Distribution**

Under global Chinese rule, wealth distribution would reflect China's current economic model, which has evolved from strict communism to a system blending state ownership with capitalist elements. Approximately 30% of China's wealth is state-owned, contrasting with countries like the U.S., where the state does not own wealth but rather regulates it.

Despite this state ownership, wealth disparity remains a significant issue in China. The top 10% of earners control about 41% of the national income, a level of inequality that might increase globally if China’s current economic policies were extended. The distribution of wealth would be highly dependent on factors such as industry, location, and gender, with significant regional disparities.

Income levels would likely vary based on geography and occupation. Major cities like Beijing and Shanghai might offer higher salaries compared to smaller cities or rural areas. Additionally, industries in demand, such as technology and finance, would provide better compensation compared to agriculture or lower-skilled jobs.

Gender disparities in income could also be exacerbated. Historical data indicates a significant wage gap between men and women in China, with women earning a substantially lower percentage of what men make in equivalent roles. This issue could worsen on a global scale, affecting women’s earnings and economic opportunities.

**Food and Water**

In terms of food security, the shift to global Chinese rule could present mixed outcomes. China’s agricultural sector involves around 200 million shareholder farmers, who collectively manage a substantial portion of the country’s cultivated land. If the world were entirely under Chinese control, the number of these farmers would rise, potentially leading to increased agricultural output. However, the lack of land ownership for these farmers could limit their economic mobility and financial security.

Malnutrition remains a concern in China, with a significant portion of the population suffering from inadequate food intake. If these conditions persisted globally, a substantial number of people might face food shortages. However, there could also be improvements in calorie consumption for some regions, particularly those that currently have lower per capita intake.

Access to clean water would likely improve in many areas previously lacking this resource. China’s current water access issues, though significant, affect a smaller percentage of the population compared to some other regions. If the global standard of water access were to align with China’s current status, many previously disadvantaged areas could benefit.

**Daily Life and Cultural Changes**

Daily life in a global China would see significant cultural shifts. The Chinese lifestyle, with its emphasis on traditional practices such as tai chi, tea ceremonies, and communal activities like mahjong and square dancing, would become the norm. Dietary habits would also change, with rice and noodles becoming staples, accompanied by various traditional Chinese dishes.

Counterfeiting, a pervasive issue in China, would likely proliferate globally. The lack of effective regulatory oversight in China means that counterfeit goods, including food and luxury items, are widespread. In a world governed by China, the prevalence of counterfeit products could become even more pronounced, affecting the quality and safety of goods available to the global population.

In summary, if China were to dominate the entire world, the global landscape would undergo profound changes. Governance would become a monolithic system devoid of political pluralism, while the military would shift focus to internal security. Economic inequality might persist or worsen, and food and water access could see both improvements and deteriorations depending on the region. Cultural practices and daily life would align more closely with Chinese traditions, though issues like counterfeiting and food safety would pose ongoing challenges.