Why don’t people trust China? It’s a question that’s lingered for years, rooted in a mix of politics, economics, and history. From the escalating US-China trade war to allegations of intellectual property theft and predatory lending, China’s actions have sparked global unease. To get to the bottom of this, we’ll dive into the rise of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the strategic moves that shaped its economy, and the ambitious global projects that have raised eyebrows. Here’s what we’ll cover: How the US-China trade war exposed China’s economic playbook. The CCP’s rocky history under Mao Zedong. Why the US turned to China for manufacturing—and how it backfired. The eerie rise of China’s ghost cities and its housing crisis. Trade controversies like IP theft and dumping. China’s staggering debt crisis. The Belt and Road Initiative and its “debt trap” reputation. Territorial disputes fueling regional tensions. Historical grudges that still haunt China’s relationships. Signs that ...