Beijing (China Capital): Chinese President Xi Jinping is intensifying his engagement with the Global South, aiming to strengthen China’s political and economic influence.
This effort will be highlighted at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation starting September 4, a key event in a broader strategy to build closer ties with developing nations. Xi has effectively capitalized on the frustrations and aspirations within the Global South to bolster China’s global standing.
However, Xi’s approach has shifted over the past two years, increasingly focusing on geopolitical competition with the United States. This strategy seeks to create a coalition of Global South states to counterbalance the U.S.-led international order, promoting a Chinese-led alternative based on illiberal principles.
This shift has made the Global South more central to Chinese foreign policy, raising concerns about the potential consequences for international relations. In response, Washington may need to increase its diplomatic and financial efforts in the region to counter China’s growing influence and maintain the current international order.
Xi’s growing anti-American stance is shaping his policies, both domestically and internationally. While this approach has strengthened ties with some countries, it risks alienating others in the Global South who may not want to be drawn into a geopolitical rivalry.
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