The Rise of China: The Emergence of a Bipolar Superpower and the Implication for the Future of International Law

Abstract

With the continuing rise and influence of China in the international system, the world is gradually transforming from a unipolar world to a bipolar world. A critical analysis of recent events happening in the world suggests a decline in the power of the USA while China, on the other hand, has over the years embarked on numerous measures to strengthen its military and economic might in the international system. This article contributes to existing knowledge and literature by giving a comprehensive view of events that suggests the decline in the power of the USA, as well as measures that China has over the years embarked on to increase its influence in the international system such as  “ the One belt One road” initiative. The methodology adopted for the study is the qualitative approach of which the works of scholars that focus on the rise of China was analyzed and reviewed. Materials used include information from the internet, journal articles and policy documents. The article gives a picture of the possible implications that the emergence of a bipolar world due to the rise of China will have on the practice and application of international law and concludes by suggesting that with the current global challenges of the world such as terrorism, the massive inflow of refugees, the need for a general consensus on policies to protect the ecology etc. bipolarity is the best way to deal with such challenges. Thus, if the USA and China are to collaborate and corporate effectively with one another, the challenges of the world could be efficiently dealt with. It is thus recommended that the two countries bury their ideological difference and think of ways by which they could make international law stronger and effective to deal with the challenges that the world is confronted with.