The China Threat Theory is an argument that the People's Republic of China poses a serious threat to democracy, peace, military, economic, and other aspects around the world.[1] As China's economy continues to grow, some believe that China's government system and development model are more effective than those of Europe and the United States and that China will eventually replace them.[1] Since the end of the Cold War, the China threat theory has grown in the West, especially the United States, and has affected the US' foreign policy toward the People's Republic of China.[2]
The China threat theory does not represent a unified view. Different countries and governments have different views on China's behavior and intentions. Some countries view China as a potential threat and need to take measures to deal with its behavior,[3][4] while others believe that issues with China should be resolved through dialogue and cooperation.[5][6] Therefore, the China threat theory is a complex topic whose views vary from person to person and depend on the positions and perspectives of countries and stakeholders.