China Positions Itself as Part of the Global South, Challenging Western Hegemony
China has declared its affiliation with the Global South, identifying with the goals and challenges of less-developed nations and offering an alternative to what it claims is Western hegemony. This proclamation was made by a high-ranking Chinese official, Vice President Han Zheng, at the United Nations General Assembly’s leaders’ meeting. Notably absent was President Xi Jinping, who has skipped the annual U.N. gathering once again.
Han emphasized that China, as the largest developing country, is a natural member of the Global South and shares a common destiny with other developing nations. He expressed China’s support for these nations’ development paths, tailored to their national conditions. The concept of the Global South has gained prominence at the U.N. this year, referring to nations that are less developed and less affluent than traditional first-world nations, regardless of their geographic location.
Several leaders of larger developing countries, including Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and India’s Narendra Modi, have positioned themselves as leaders around whom the Global South can unite. This trend was further highlighted by Lula’s recent address at the U.N., where he proclaimed that Brazil is back. Similarly, earlier this year, Modi hosted the Voice of the Global South virtual summit.
China has assumed a similar role for over a decade, particularly since President Xi launched the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative aimed at bolstering Chinese development, infrastructure, and influence worldwide, particularly in developing nations. While the project has faced challenges, China has been steadfast in defining its approach as an alternative to Western hegemony.
By aligning itself with the Global South, China aims to amplify its voice, speaking on behalf of many nations within this group. This association allows China to frame its statements as representative of these nations, even if they may not possess the strength to object to any mischaracterizations by the powerful Chinese government.
The issue of whether China’s $18 trillion GDP and overall economic power should categorize it as part of the Global South remains a subject of debate. Notably, China was not included in Modi’s summit earlier this year, which featured 125 countries. However, this exclusion may have been more influenced by the tense relations between China and India rather than a reflection of China’s overall stance on the concept of the Global South.
While Han’s presence at the United Nations indicates China’s continued engagement on the global stage, the country’s diplomatic operations appear to be in a state of disarray. Many anticipated the presence of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, potentially paving the way for a meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden. However, Wang’s attendance from the previous year was followed by a period of mystery surrounding a newly appointed foreign minister, ultimately resulting in Wang resuming his role.
In his address, Han touched upon China’s typical talking points at such meetings. He reaffirmed China’s stance that Taiwan, a self-governing island off its coast, is an integral part of China, both historically and in the future. He also stated that China supports human rights that are suited to its national conditions and in response to its people’s needs. China’s policies towards ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang and dissent in Hong Kong have faced scrutiny from Western nations. Additionally, Han reiterated China’s belief that a cease-fire and peace talks are the only viable path to resolving the conflict in Ukraine, a stance that China has maintained since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
China’s assertion of its position within the Global South and its ongoing resistance to Western hegemony are consistent elements of its foreign policy. As China continues to balance its role as a developing nation with its growing global economic and diplomatic influence, its alignment with the Global South allows the country to shape international discourse and present itself as a powerful counterbalance to the West.
