The material in this article comes from the Internet, if it is inconsistent with the actual situation or there is infringement, please contact to delete.
Title: Honeywell Self-Punishment Farce: Rethinking U.S.-China Industrial Relations
The news that American companies are suspected of leaking blueprints of F-22 fighters to China is noteworthy. However, a recent bizarre self-punishment farce has prompted us to reflect on the complexity of the U.S.-China industrial relationship. Honeywell, a well-known U.S. supplier of chemical, aviation and military electronics, was fined US$13 million by the US government for allegedly violating the Arms Export Control Act and the International Arms Trade Regulations, as reported by the Global Times on May 6, 2023.
Honeywell's charges are shocking: Between 2011 and 2015, it allegedly provided dozens of unauthorized technical drawings of military aircraft, missiles and tank parts, including F-22s, F-35 stealth fighters, B-1B bombers, Tomahawk cruise missiles and Abrams M1 tanks, to multiple countries. However, it is worth pondering that although several countries have obtained these drawings, the only one named is China. Does this mean that there is a deeper problem?
Industry is figuratively likened to a double-edged sword. In layman's terms, it has created products and technologies that benefit all peoples, and has also been used in the military industry, which has claimed countless lives on the battlefield. Take ammonia synthesis technology as an example, which is a key technology for the production of fertilizers. Ammonia technology requires a high-temperature and high-pressure environment, so seamless steel tubes and pressure vessels are not only a core component of ammonia technology, but also a necessity for manufacturing high-pressure steam boilers and naval gun barrels. What is even more amazing is that ammonium nitrate, a product of the ammonia industry, is not only nitrogen fertilizer, but also explosive.
The development of the synthetic ammonia industry has led to an increase in grain production and an increase in military strength. This industrial technology gave rise to the era of the steam engine after the end of the European Industrial Revolution, greatly increasing food production and supporting the population boom. Today, the global population has reached 7 billion, an increase that would have been unimaginable without the increased food production brought about by fertilizers. In addition, the ammonia industry has spawned innovations in the military field, allowing European powers to dominate the world with their "ironclads". In other words, there is no obvious military-civilian division in the application of industrial technology, and a screw can be used to make fighter jets or tractors, which itself does not have a military-civilian distinction.
China, as the "factory of the world," buys a lot of parts and industrial equipment from Honeywell every year. However, the specific purpose of these parts and equipment is not clear to China whether it is to make stealth fighters or tractors. Therefore, Honeywell's claim that it "leaked" U.S. military secrets to China is not logically valid.
It's worth noting, however, that Honeywell's "leak" was unusual. This is not the initiative of the US government department, but Honeywell's own disclosure and self-punishment. This behavior may be interpreted as a "public relations" performance by Honeywell. In recent years, the domestic political atmosphere in the United States has gradually shifted to the right, and its attitude towards China has become more and more unfriendly. After Biden took office, he did not repair Sino-US relations, but increased tensions.
Changes in the domestic political environment in the United States are putting pressure on companies doing business with China, and Honeywell is no exception. If the U.S. government suddenly sanctions Honeywell's business with China in the name of "national security," it will be difficult for Honeywell to withstand the political shock. Therefore, "confessing" some minor issues on your own and paying a relatively small fine helps to show your "political correctness." Such an approach could reduce the greater political risks that could be faced in the future, especially as Sino-US relations deteriorate sharply.
However, proactive "confession" can have two effects. First, Honeywell's self-disclosure will be the talk of anti-China forces, who will take full advantage of the incident to continue to hype up the traditional argument that China is stealing American technology. Although it was difficult for the United States to provide actual evidence in the past, Honeywell's confession provided a new excuse for anti-China forces, which will lead to a further rightward shift in the domestic political position of the United States and further deterioration of Sino-US relations.
secondly
As a major global supplier of aviation equipment and technology, Honeywell provides indispensable support for China's aviation industry and infrastructure. The ARJ-21 regional airliner and the future C-929 large airliner being developed in China rely on Honeywell equipment and technology. In addition, many airports in China also use equipment such as Honeywell's airport dispatch system.
However, if the U.S. government restricts Honeywell's trade with China as a result, it will have a major impact on China's aviation industry. This makes it necessary for us to prepare in advance. With the United States viewing China as its biggest competitor, tensions between China and the United States have reached unprecedented levels. However, unlike during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the United States could not completely isolate China, especially as the domestic industrial industry in the United States continued to hollow, and its dependence on China became more obvious.
However, we must not be complacent because the United States is in fact dependent on us. On the contrary, we should work harder to promote the development of our own science and technology, quickly make up for the shortcomings of China's industry, and move from an industrial power to an industrial power. Honeywell's self-punishment farce should be seen as a wake-up call that the United States will stop at nothing to contain China's rise, even at the expense of its own private enterprise. Therefore, we cannot have any illusions about the United States, and we must be prepared to deal with it.
In summary, Honeywell's self-punishment farce has led to deep thinking about U.S.-China industrial relations. The application of industrial technology does not distinguish between military and civilian use, and changes in international politics may have a huge impact on business and scientific and technological cooperation. China must redouble its efforts in its own scientific and technological innovation and industrial development to ensure it remains competitive in this competitive world. Letting go of illusions and being ready to fight is the only way we can meet the challenges ahead.
The above content and materials are derived from the Internet, and the author of this article does not intend to target or allude to any real country, political system, organization, race, individual. The above does not mean that the author of this article endorses the laws, rules, opinions, behaviors in the article and is responsible for the authenticity of the relevant information. The author of this article is not responsible for any problems arising above or related to the above and does not assume any direct or indirect legal liability. Due to the rules of the platform, you will only be recognized as a fan if you have more interaction with me. If you like my article, you can click "Follow", and you can receive the article push as soon as you become an iron fan. This article is only published in today's headlines, please do not move.