Introduction
Constant improvement and innovation are critical to the country, and are impossible without addressing the challenges and opportunities it faces. To analyze these aspects, it is helpful to consider the DIME framework: diplomacy, information, military, and economy. A closer examination of these indicators provides an opportunity to see how they are reflected in the country’s strategic measures for advancement and the protection of national interests. Therefore, within the framework of this policy memo, an investigation will be conducted by the international and domestic spheres of China to gather an understanding of its threats, challenges, strengths, and weakness and their impact on the country’s strategy.
Main Challenges and Threats
The first step before considering strategic recommendations is to investigate the main challenges and threats facing the country. This process will provide an opportunity to inform the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs about ways to facilitate national decision-making. Special attention should be paid to security and (geo)political and socio-economic issues that the country must deal with. This is essential not only for China itself but also for its regional and global partners.
One of the most important threats in the modern context is the security of the country. However, this aspect concerns the measures a country takes to limit it, which affect relations with other countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States (Milmo, 2024). Hence, at the moment, considerable attention is being paid to the Chinese growing offensive cyber prowess (Rajagopalan, 2024). In other words, the strategy planned by the government may become a threat to the security and activities of other countries, causing difficulties for them.
The next challenge for the country is China’s aging population. Research identified that “people aged 60 and above accounted for 30% of Nantong’s 7.7 million population — almost double the national average of 18.7%” (Yiu et al., 2023, para. 3). This characteristic has a threat to the region, as it strongly affects both the political and economic, as well as the socio-economic status of the country (Chen et al., 2022). This aspect is due to its contribution to increased healthcare and pension costs. In addition, much of the aging population contributes to workforce reductions and social welfare pressures.
In studies of China and its operations, it was highlighted that China is highly dependent on imported energy from other countries. This article includes the need for oil and natural gas supplies. This characteristic makes the country more vulnerable to geopolitical and economic changes, as it can affect the availability of this resource.
At the same time, it is worth noting that the country is making attempts to reduce this level of dependence. It is noted that it decreased from 73.6 percent in 2020 to 72 percent in 2021 (China Daily, 2022). Thus, China is aware of the threat posed by the aspect under discussion and is taking measures to limit it.
The next step is to assess the current policies designed by that country’s leadership. In this context, it is necessary to consider the previously identified challenges and threats and to apply the DIME (diplomatic, information, military, and economic) perspectives. Therefore, the country has a fairly advanced strategy to solve the problems it faces.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology implemented a plan that “aims to improve data security in China’s industrial sector and effectively contain ‘major risks’ by the end of 2026” (Reuters, 2024, para. 1). In addition, it implements policy measures that encourage the labor force participation (Hsu, Yoshida, and Chen, 2022). This aspect demonstrates that China has significant potential to address the problems and difficulties it faces.
Key Domains of Cooperation
The next step, within the framework of this policy memo, is to identify key domains of cooperation with the UAE. Particular attention should be focused on the future of bilateral relations. This procedure will contribute to the allocation of recommendations on the conduct of the national comprehensive strategy and effective decision-making. In addition, it will have a positive impact on the creation of stronger, more sustainable global collaboration and help limit the difficulties faced in the country.
Based on the research, one key domain of cooperation is strengthening bilateral ties. The UAE is already making significant progress in this area, but increasing the focus on diplomatic visits and international forums will provide an opportunity to strengthen interaction and collaboration with other countries (Sim & Fulton, 2022). Another key aspect is the need to focus on military cooperation. It implies strengthening this area through joint defense technology partnerships, such as the recent deal with Japan (Peretz, 2023). This process will also contribute to joint research, development, and production.
In the field of economics, the critical domain for cooperation with the UAE is bilateral investment. This will be achieved through focusing on the creation and strengthening of free trade zones in areas such as energy and infrastructure (Special Eurasia, 2023). In the information component, diplomatic initiatives are critical for ensuring cybersecurity. This will help reduce the risks of misinformation and the dissemination of confidential data.
Recommendations
Based on the highlighted components, several recommendations can be identified to foster advancement and ensure national interests. The first of them is the emphasis on measures to strengthen existing and create new collaborative relations between countries. This is because it will ensure essential processes such as information exchange, the introduction of innovative technologies, and the improvement of bilateral relations. This will also improve the country’s development strategy, as it will provide an opportunity to attract the most significant number of partner countries and stakeholders. This aspect, in turn, will contribute to both the political and socio-economic fields of activity.
Another recommendation is the need to focus on investing in human capital and institutional organizations. In this way, internal development and improvement will be ensured, thereby enhancing stability in the global arena.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this policy memo provided an opportunity to highlight the UAE’s effectiveness in implementing its strategic measures guided by the DIME framework. In each of the selected areas, diplomacy, information, military, and economy, an effective strategy is implemented. On the other hand, China faces cybersecurity challenges and an aging population, both of which require closer attention from the government. The identification of key domains of cooperation between China and the the UAE provided an opportunity to highlight recommendations to ensure the country’s productive and sustainable development.
References
Chen, Qiuxing, Qiaozhu Chi, Yang Chen, Oleksii Lyulyov, and Tetyana Pimonenko. 2022. “Does population aging impact China’s economic growth?” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 19.
China Daily. 2022. “China’s Oil Dependence on Imports Sees Drop.”
Hsu, Yuan-Ho, Hiroshi Yoshida, and Fengming Chen. 2022. “The Impacts of Population Aging on China’s Economy.” Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies 14, no. 1: 105-130.
Milmo, Dan. 2024. “China Cyber-Attacks: this Growing Threat to UK Security Will Not Go Away.” The Guardian.
Peretz, Jenn. 2023. “Japan and UAE Sign Deal for Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer to Enhance Cooperation.” Medium.
Rajagopalan, Rajeswari Pillai. 2024. “US Official Warns of China’s Growing Offensive Cyber Power.” The Diplomat.
Reuters. 2024. “China to Increase Protections Against Hacking for Key Industries.”
Sim, Li-Chen, and Jonathan Fulton. 2022. “External Powers and the UAE.” In Facets of Security in the United Arab Emirates, 124-132. Oxfordshire: Routledge.
Special Eurasia. 2023. “United Arab Emirates and Eurasian Economic Union Might Establish a Free Trade Zone.”
Yiu, Pak, Grace Li, Ck Tan and Mitsuru Obe. 2023. “China’s Aging Population Threatens a Japan-Style Lost Decade.” Nikkei Asia.