Trend China pursues a China-oriented international order through BRICS ties and non-binding partnerships

Summary

Under slogans of the China Dream and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi Jinping's leadership seeks to reshape the existing international order. The report says Beijing wants to reform the UN together with Russia and BRICS partners, push its own international initiatives and use new technologies and China-led supply chains to set global standards. China presents itself to developing and Global South countries as a reliable development partner, preferring non-binding partnerships based on mutual economic gain over Western emphasis on human rights and norms, and invests heavily on that basis. Given its economic weight, domestic market, technological leadership and growing military capacity, the authors cannot rule out that these goals will be realized in certain areas. They also point to a structural weakness: unlike past US rivals, China built its power by integrating deeply into the US-led world economy, which leaves it hard pressed to find a market that could replace America.