Signal China expands its footprint in multilateral institutions and development finance

Summary

While avoiding all-out confrontation with the US, China is exploiting gaps left by US absence within multilateral frameworks to reshape the world order in its favour. Its growing influence shows up in more Chinese officials in international organisations and in friendly groupings such as expanded BRICS and SCO. It is also visible in development finance, through larger IDA voting power and the AIIB, BRICS and SCO development banks, in China-centred norms under its GSI, GDI, GCI and GGI initiatives, and in tariff-free treatment for least developed countries. Through these efforts China seeks a China-centred bloc within the rules, institutions and spaces of the international system. It aims to reflect its interests in climate, internet, development finance, technology and security policy and to secure standard- and norm-setting power in future fields such as technology, digital, telecommunications, environment and health.