Xi Jinping’s High-Profile Forum: Projecting China as a Global Leader
Photo:Reuters
As the world grapples with the aftermath of a global pandemic and mounting geopolitical tensions, a gathering of world leaders in Beijing presents a unique opportunity to consider China’s role on the global stage. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has set a clear agenda for this week’s high-profile forum: to highlight China’s contribution to global economic development over the last decade and to position China as an alternative global leader to the United States. In a world where the balance of power is increasingly multipolar, this forum marks an important milestone in China’s strategic positioning. The forum is not only a chance for China to highlight its achievements, but also to persuade world leaders of its potential to provide a viable alternative to the U.S.-led world order. Over the past decade, China has played a pivotal role in the global economy. With its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in developing countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. These investments have not only strengthened China’s economic connections with those countries but have also raised its profile as a significant stakeholder in the global development arena.
Moreover, China is now the world’s second-largest economy, with significant influence on global trade, investment, and technology. Chinese companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei are globally recognized, and the country’s digital economy is rapidly growing. Xi’s leadership has further solidified China’s position, with policies aimed at boosting domestic innovation, enhancing China’s technological capabilities, and reducing its reliance on foreign technology. Nevertheless, China’s rise has not been without controversy. Critics cite concerns about intellectual property rights, market access, and the country’s approach to human rights. These issues, coupled with the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., have added a layer of complexity to the discussions at the forum. Yet, Xi remains undeterred. In his opening remarks, he emphasized China’s commitment to peace, development, and win-win cooperation. He lauded China’s role in supporting global economic recovery, particularly in the Global South, and underscored the country’s commitment to multilateralism. In this context, Xi’s forum seeks to project China not just as an economic powerhouse, but as an alternative global leader, capable of shaping the international order in ways that diverge from U.S. norms and values. This involves promoting a different model of governance, characterized by a more state-led approach to economic development and a different approach to issues like internet governance, human rights, and global security. While the U.S. remains a global superpower, a combination of domestic challenges and international criticism has weakened its standing in recent years. In contrast, China’s assertive international posture and its economic resilience amid global turbulence have bolstered its image as a potential global leader. Whether Xi’s forum will be successful in convincing other countries to rally behind China’s vision for a new global order remains to be seen. However, it is clear that China is keen to assert itself as a global powerhouse and is not shying away from challenging the U.S.-led world order. As the world watches Beijing this week, the conversations held—and the decisions made—could serve as a barometer for the shifting dynamics of global power in the 21st century. What is certain is that China’s role and influence in the world cannot be ignored. Its ambitions to reshape the global order will continue to define international relations for years to come.
By Cora Sulleyman
