China's Ambitious Plan to Reshape the Global Landscape and Gain International Attention
China's President Xi Jinping is aggressively challenging America's global dominance with his ambitious plan to reshape the world order As he enters his third term, his vision for a new global architecture is gaining attention and support from various countries, posing a significant threat to US leadership
Sign up for CNN's Meanwhile in China newsletter to gain insights into China's rise and its global implications. Xi Jinping, now in his third term as Chinese leader, is intensifying his efforts to challenge America's dominance and promote his own vision for global governance.
Last month in Beijing, that bid captured unprecedented attention when Xi, accompanied by Russian President Vladimir Putin, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and numerous other prominent figures from across the globe, praised China as the sole nation capable of effectively addressing the obstacles of the 21st century.
Speaking at the Belt and Road Forum, Xi conveyed to his audience, "Unprecedented changes in the world, our era, and of great historical significance are taking place." He emphasized that China would tirelessly strive towards modernization for all nations and endeavor to forge a "collaborative future for humanity."
Being viewed as a rival by these countries due to its growing assertiveness and authoritarianism, Beijing believes that it is now the opportune moment to reshape the international system and rebalance global power to secure China's ascent and oppose any attempts to hinder it.
Beijing has been actively promoting its alternative model through various means such as policy documents, global initiatives, speeches, diplomatic meetings, forums, and international gatherings in recent months. This has raised concerns among many observers who worry that adopting Beijing's rules may lead to the normalization of its authoritarian practices such as surveillance, censorship, and political repression on a global scale.
China's efforts align with the backdrop of American military interventions abroad, an unpredictable foreign policy influenced by election cycles, and divisive political polarization, all of which have raised doubts about U.S. global leadership. Moreover, urgent matters such as climate change, Russia's involvement in Ukraine, and Israel's attack on Gaza have fueled debates on whether the West's response is appropriate. This scenario also coincides with consistent demands from developing nations for a more inclusive international system that grants them greater influence.
During Xi's leadership, several countries have significantly strengthened their economic connections with Beijing. This has been evident through a decade-long global infrastructure initiative, worth up to $1 trillion, which was recently commemorated by world leaders in China. The extent to which these countries would embrace a future aligned with China's ideology is yet uncertain. However, Xi's determined efforts to amplify his message amidst ongoing tensions with Washington intensify the competition between the United States and China.
And just like the many world leaders who have paid visits to Beijing in the past few months, including Xis gathering last month, it is evident that while some nations may doubt an autocratic China's proposed global framework, others are paying attention.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders pose for a group photo during the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last month.
Shen Hong/Xinhua/Getty Images
Shared future
In September, Beijing released a comprehensive policy document consisting of over 13,000 words, which presents China's vision for global governance. The document also identifies the perceived root cause of present global challenges, attributing them to the "hegemonic, abusive, and aggressive actions" of certain nations. These actions are stated to have significant detrimental effects on both global security and development.
According to the document, in X's vision of a "global community of shared future," the focus is on prioritizing economic development and stability. Countries are encouraged to treat each other as equals and collaborate towards achieving "common prosperity." In this future, there would be no influence of "bloc politics," ideological competition, military alliances, or the obligation to uphold "universal values" determined solely by a few Western nations.
"What the Chinese are expressing is the principle of live and let live. They acknowledge that you may not agree with Russian domestic politics or the Chinese political regime, but in order to ensure security, it is necessary to allow them the opportunity to exist and prosper," commented Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen meet in Beijing on April 6, 2023.
Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Should the United States be concerned as world leaders are queuing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping? This perception is intertwined within three recently introduced "global initiatives" by Xi, which center on development, security, and civilization.
The initiatives reflect Beijing's longstanding talking points and lack specific details, instead relying heavily on persuasive language. However, analysts argue that these initiatives suggest that a US-led system is no longer appropriate for the current era. They also indicate a focused effort to reshape the post-World War II order that has been promoted by the US and other Western democracies.
The existing global framework was established with the aim of guaranteeing, at least in theory, that governments, while maintaining sovereignty over their respective nations, also adhere to regulations and principles that promote peace and safeguard fundamental political and human rights for their citizens.
China has reaped the rewards of this system, leveraging World Bank loans and accessing increased prospects through its inclusion in the World Trade Organization, an initiative supported by Washington to encourage economic liberalization in the Communist nation.
After a little more than twenty years, Beijing is grappling with this issue.
The United States and its allies have been cautious observers as Beijing has not only emerged as a formidable economic rival but has also displayed growing assertiveness in areas such as the South China Sea and beyond. Furthermore, their domestic policies have taken a more repressive and authoritarian turn.
Washington's attempts to limit China's access to sensitive technology and impose economic sanctions are seen by Beijing as blatant efforts to oppress and control. The United States and other countries have criticized China's intimidation of Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, and have sought to hold it accountable for alleged human rights abuses in Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. The UN human rights office stated last year that the situation in Xinjiang could potentially qualify as "crimes against humanity," a claim that Beijing refutes.
Riot police stand guard during a June 2019 protest in Hong Kong against a proposed extradition law that would have allowed extradition of fugitives to mainland China.
Sanjit Das/Bloomberg/Getty Images
In response, Xi has ramped up longstanding efforts to undercut the concept of universal human rights.
Earlier this year, Xi informed leaders of political parties and organizations from approximately 150 countries that "Different civilizations" hold varying perceptions of shared human "values." He implied that if China were leading the way, countries would refrain from imposing their own values or models on others. This reinforces Beijing's belief that governments' endeavors to enhance their citizens' economic status equate to upholding their human rights, regardless of the lack of freedom for individuals to voice their opinions against their rulers.
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It also points to the increasing confidence among Chinese leaders in their governance model, which they believe has significantly contributed to global economic growth and poverty reduction. In contrast, the United States has been involved in wars, triggered a major global financial crisis, and is currently facing domestic political challenges. Shanghai-based foreign policy analyst Shen Dingli suggests that these factors lead China to perceive America as rapidly declining. Consequently, President Xi aims to not overthrow the current world order, but rather to reform it.
The US is perceived by Beijing as only pretending to support the "liberal order" in order to harm other countries. China questions which country is more inclined towards peace and less qualified to lead the world. This perception has bolstered China's self-image and the belief that it is destined for greatness, leading to the desire for the world to recognize China's time has come.
Whos listening?
For strongmen leaders and autocratic governments, Xis vision has obvious appeal.
Despite being accused of war crimes and continuing the brutal invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Russia's Putin and Afghanistan's Taliban leaders were both given a warm welcome at Xi's table of nations in Beijing last month. Adding to the controversy, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has been accused of using chemical weapons against his own people, was also celebrated at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. He arrived on a Chinese-chartered jet and even visited a renowned Buddhist temple.
The state-run Global Times described Assads visit as that of a respected leader from a war-torn country, offering a glimpse into the potential scenarios that could arise from Xis worldview gaining popularity. However, Beijings broader argument, suggesting that a few wealthy Western countries have excessive global power, resonates with more governments beyond just those at odds with the West.
The mounting concerns have intensified in recent weeks, with the international spotlight squarely on Israel's continuous assault on Gaza since the October 7 attack by Hamas. While much of the world rallies behind a prompt humanitarian truce, the US finds itself in the minority opposing such broad global support. Many perceive the US's backing of Israel as enabling the country to persist in its retaliatory actions, despite the escalating toll on civilian lives.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcomed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a ceremony at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last month.
Sergei Savostyanov/Sputnik/Reuters
In recent years, several countries that have long maintained a strong alliance with the US have started to forge stronger ties with China and its vision.
According to Ali Sarwar Naqvi, a former Pakistani ambassador and current executive director of the Center for International Strategic Studies in Islamabad, Pakistan now aligns with Chinese leader Xi Jinping's outlook that a new global era is taking shape, marked by multipolarity and a shift away from Western dominance.
However, numerous governments maintain a cautious stance towards China's politics and aspirations, as they are wary of being perceived as aligning themselves with Beijing over Western powers. "Our nation has maintained an open relationship with all countries," stated Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape during an interview with CNN at the Belt and Road Forum earlier this year. In his speech at the event, he emphasized the need for increased eco-friendly energy investments in his country under the leadership of China.
"We establish connections with both the West and the East. We uphold our principles and do not sacrifice our friendships with anyone," he stated.
However, there are doubts about what it truly entails when China is supported in advocating for a more inclusive global system under their guidance.
"China can rely on Brazil around the clock to emphasize the significance of multilateralism and the need to reassess global governance... nevertheless, there is a crucial caveat," states Rubens Duarte, the coordinator of LABMUNDO, a research center for international relations based in Brazil.
He highlights the raised concerns within certain countries, including Brazil, questioning why China is presently advocating for ideas that have been promoted by the Global South for seven decades and asserting them as its own.
"Is China really trying to promote multipolarityor does China just want to (become a) substitute (for) US influence over the world?" he asked.
A passenger gets off a Chinese-funded high-speed train after its commercial operations launched last month in Indonesia.
Li Zhiquan/China News Service/VCG/Reuters
Expanding ambitions
China has long relied on its economic strength to exert global influence, leveraging its remarkable journey from extreme poverty to becoming the world's second largest economy as a blueprint that it could offer to emerging nations.
Xi initiated his flagship Belt and Road financing initiative in 2013 with the aim of strengthening China's international presence and forging closer ties with borrowing nations. This endeavor came one year after he assumed leadership, vowing to revitalize China and establish it as a globally influential and respected power.
Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank in Washington, emphasized that China's traditional foreign policy thinking heavily prioritized economic prowess as the basis for all other aspects. By attaining economic power, political influence, soft power, and other elements naturally follow suit, creating a cohesive strategy.
Amidst China's economic growth, its relations with the US and its allies have been strained, prompting Beijing to recognize the importance of addressing geopolitical issues. This awareness has been further intensified by the conflict in Ukraine. As European countries, which are vital economic partners of China, strengthened their alliances with the US and reevaluated their connections with Beijing due to its refusal to condemn the Kremlin's invasion, the US also worked towards fortifying its relationships with Asian allies.
According to Sun from the Stimson Center in Washington, this event acted as a reminder to China that the ultimate goal of the competition with the United States is to gain influence over the rest of the world.
A Chinese vessels operate near Scarborough Shoal in a disputed area of the South China Sea.
Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images
In the face of increasing Western pressure to denounce Moscow's invasion of a sovereign nation, Beijing took the opportunity to present its perspective on global security. Two months after Russian forces entered Ukraine, Xi unveiled China's "Global Security Initiative" at an international conference, emphasizing that "bloc confrontation" and a "Cold War mentality" would undermine the framework for global peace.
The reference made was not aimed at Russia as the aggressor, but rather at NATO, which both Moscow and Beijing have accused of inciting the war in Ukraine.
While Xi's words were not groundbreaking for Beijing, Chinese diplomats increased their use of this rhetoric in the subsequent months. They reached out to their counterparts in European capitals, the United States, and Russia, urging the establishment of a "sustainable European security architecture" to tackle the "security deficit that underlies the (Ukraine) crisis."
After his state visit to China this spring, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seemed to resonate with the rhetoric, urging Washington to "put an end to promoting conflict."
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands after signing joint statement during Xi's state visit to Moscow in March 2023.
Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/Getty Images
China and Russia condemn Israel amid growing divisions with the West, revealing Beijing's strategic objectives. According to experts, China does not seek to establish its own alliances or employ military force to ensure stability in volatile contexts, diverging from the approach adopted by the United States.
Instead, it seeks to instill doubt in the existing system and instead proposes its own, albeit ambiguous, vision for achieving peaceful relations among nations through dialogue and shared interests. This statement further undermines the notion that countries should oppose each other solely due to political disparities.
During a security forum hosted in Beijing last month, General Zhang Youxia, a senior military official, addressed representatives from over 90 countries and emphasized that if a country becomes fixated on suppressing differing opinions, it will inevitably breed conflicts and wars in the world.
Beijing claims its success by citing its role in facilitating a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March. It also sent an envoy to the Middle East, promising to actively work towards de-escalating the conflict, although no mention was made of any involvement in Israel or Palestine.
However, many countries view China and its modernizing military as the main aggressor in Asia. They also question China's support for Russia, despite Russia's clear violation of international law during its invasion of Ukraine. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused China of bullying smaller nations and illegally expanding its control over disputed areas of the South China Sea, disregarding an international tribunal's ruling.
"If we dont (push back), China is going to creep and creep into what is within our sovereign jurisdiction, our sovereign rights and within our territory," he said.
Alternative architecture
Beijing's endeavor to communicate its plan for reshaping the world order is facilitated by a vast network of international organizations, regional dialogues, and forums that it has developed over the past few decades.
According to experts, a crucial aspect of Xi's strategy to reshape global power involves strengthening these groups and positioning them as alternative international organizations to those of the Western nations.
During the summer, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), founded by China and Russia, as well as the BRICS group of emerging economies, both expanded their membership. These platforms provided an opportunity for Xi to promote his approach to geopolitics. Xi urged countries to reform global governance and prevent the formation of exclusive groups that present their own rules as international norms. Following the invitation extended to Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, this marked the first expansion of the BRICS group since 2010.
Weeks later, he further demonstrated his preference for his own alternative architectural approach by not attending the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, which was attended by US President Joe Biden and other Group of Seven leaders.
In addition to the prominent events on China's diplomatic agenda, officials are actively promoting China's vision and presenting its new initiatives in various ministerial or lower-level regional dialogues with counterparts from Southeast Asia to Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes engaging in topical forums on security, culture, and development, with participation from international scholars and think tanks, as evidenced by official documents.
China has thus far demonstrated ease in garnering support from numerous countries for certain aspects of its vision. However, it remains uncertain who exactly these supporters are and whether their endorsement equates to any concrete commitments.
BRICS leaders gather in Brazil in 2019.
Sergio Lima/AFP/Getty Images
China's Foreign Ministry stated earlier this year that over 80 countries and organizations have "expressed their approval and support" for the Global Security Initiative. The economic-focused "Global Development Initiative," launched in 2021 to promote United Nations sustainability goals, is said to have around 70 countries in its "Group of Friends," which is hosted by the UN.
This aligns with China's longstanding strategy of seeking widespread support for its stance against Western countries in the UN and other international organizations. Beijing has been actively advocating for a more influential position in these organizations.
However, there is still a crucial question lingering as to whether Xi's ambitions are solely focused on controlling the global narrative and shaping favorable rules for China or if he aims to truly establish China as the dominant global power.
China's power and military capacity lag significantly behind the United States, creating a substantial gap. Furthermore, the possibility of an ailing economy slowing down China's ascent adds another dimension to this disparity. Currently, experts suggest that China is primarily concentrating on altering the rules to undermine American credibility in intervening or holding nations accountable for internal matters such as civil conflicts or human rights violations.
Rewriting: Achieving success in this endeavor may have significant consequences for the global response to any potential future attempt to seize control of Taiwan, a self-governed and democratic island that is claimed by the Communist Party. However, China's actions in Asia, characterized by growing assertiveness in its military activities and criticizing the presence of the US military, indicate to numerous analysts that Beijing indeed aims to exert dominance over the region.
They also raise questions about how a more militarily and economically powerful China would behave globally, if left unchecked.
China, however, has denied ambitions of dominance.
Beijing stated in its policy document in September that there is no strict rule stating that a rising power will always strive for dominance. It emphasized that all its efforts are aimed at improving the quality of life for its people and creating more opportunities for global development. Moreover, China acknowledged the historical lesson that hegemony is often followed by decline, possibly hinting at its perception or expectation of the future trajectory of the United States.
