To start in a Short History of Asia, it explains how after World War 2 "Russia occupied the north of Korea, US forces the south. Two states, Communist north and American supported South Korea, resulted. Both were harshly authoritarian and corrupt." (Mason P.301). What this shows is the start of the country division where two countries of different political ideology take over control of one country. Forcing their own political ideology on the people. This would result in the civil war amongst the North and South.

Another point in the reading that supports how these two ideologies led to this war was when Mason mentioned "June 1950 they were at war - a war that was really an expression of zonal rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and China." (Mason P.301) This shows how the war in Korea was a direct result of two larger nation competing for the superior ideology supporting my argument how Korea was separated because of Capitalism and Communism.

To begin In "Clash of Empires" they explained unique approach from America in a attempt to control China. "After Trump became President, he launched a trade war with China by leveling high tariffs against a wide range of Chinese products." (Hung P.61) What this showed is the economic competition between China and America where America attempts to increase prices of exports through tariffs. In an attempt to not only increase American industries but to also rely less on Chinese industries.

Another example of competition between the two countries was when China attempted to change currency in 2008 by using the RMB which hopefully replaced the U.S. Dollar as explained "China promoted the international use of the RMB, hoping that China's external trade and its investment inflow and outflow could increasingly be settled in RMB instead of the dollar." (Hung P.57). China is attempting to replace its currency from the USD and hopes other countries would hop on this trend and follow China because they are a powerful nation. This would be caused by the 2008 global crisis and China was looking to not depend on the U.S. Dollar in case of another collapse.

To begin in a Short History of Asia Mason explains the enormous population of Asia where he says "Asians are already the largest regional group. Of 7.2 Billion people in the world in 2013, more than four billions were Asians. Asia's three biggest nations China, India, and Indonesia, make up almost 40% of the world's population." (Mason P.328) and then he talks about the economic status of Asia saying "China's reserve of $3.3 Trillion are allowing her to invest heavily in many parts of the World, not the least in the United States." (Mason P.329) What these two piece of signify is the significant advantage Asia has and the power they possessed. With having the most people meant that they have more influence, they have a larger consumer market, and human capital, giving countries like China and India a big advantage. Now the second text significance is that the amount of money China has allows for industrial growth, improved living conditions, and military growth. This is significant as this allows global influence and culture and society to develop. With the increase of innovation China will surely become one of the most powerful country and lift its allies.

Talmadge, E. (2024, September 19). Competing with China, explained: What Americans need to know. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2024/09/competing-with-china-explained-what-americans-need.html

The article talks about how China and US relationship is still so complex, and how China is slowly becoming stronger with their economy, technology, and military power. The article tells America to not look down and underestimate China and to continue growing ourselves in order to compete.

I picked this article because it relates to the previous module objectives of America vs China. How throughout history there was rarely direct physical violence between the two countries but rather war through economics, influence, and trade, and the article I selected claims that this rivalry is still ongoing.

The authors purpose was to explain that America and China's rivalry is more complex where it took in the form of a cold war versus all out war. And that we must be aware of the threats posed by this war.

I loved how it went into depth on policies and the goal of the policies and how it would've benefitted both sides, I also loved in the article it broke down different problems amongst the countries making it easier to read and understand.