Last year, China increased its ties with 17 countries and territories, most of which could be labeled as "developing economies".
In 2023, China strengthened diplomatic relations with a record number of countries. These nations were mostly located in the so-called Global South, a concept used to indicate all developing nations that have an interconnected history (of colonialism and neocolonialism) and that share a socio-economic structure characterized by large disparities in living standards, life expectancy and access to resources.
An analysis by Bloomberg cross-referenced with the collection of statements released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, revealed that Beijing has increased its ties with 17 countries and territories, most of which can be labeled as "in the process of development". This is a number never seen before during Xi Jinping’s now ten-year rule as president of the People’s Republic of China.
But what is Xi’s goal? Simple: mobilize the global South (or Global South) to reshape the current world order. In other words, due to the intensification of strategic competition with the USA, the Chinese government is increasingly eager to consolidate its partnership base with more countries, primarily with those who are economically dependent on it, who have similar worldviews or who, more simply, share a colonial past.
China conquers the global South
Going into detail, the countries that strengthened relations with China in 2023 include Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, Zambia and Ethiopia in Africa, as well as Venezuela, Uruguay and Colombia in Latin America. Beijing has also strengthened ties with Solomon Islands and Nicaragua, two nations that have severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
“Many of these countries are in areas of dispute with the United States and the West. Those who lean towards Beijing will be rewarded with improved diplomatic capabilities,” Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, told Bloomberg.
Two clear differences emerge between the geopolitical approach adopted by the USA and China. First, while Washington is employing a diplomatic strategy based on coalitions of mostly rich allies, Beijing is doing the opposite, courting the aforementioned developing countries - which make up the majority of the world’s population - using aid, trade, and investment.
The geopolitical benefits of China’s stance, for example, were showcased recently with the first visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to China, breaking conventions with previous Maldivian leaders and handing Xi a victory over regional rival India.
Furthermore, just as the USA strengthens diplomatic relations with nations already formed with a view to the present, at the same time China is betting on actors that could soon emerge on the global stage, suggesting that it wants to think about the long term.
Beijing’s objective
US media then noted that there has been a change in the way Xi conducts diplomatic engagement. The Chinese leader cut back on international travel last year, spending just 12 days outside China visiting four nations, the lowest number in a non-pandemic year since he came to power. Instead, Xi has invited foreign dignitaries to Beijing.
Last year it hosted around 70 leaders from the Global South, the most since 2019, mainly organizing a summit with Central Asian countries and a forum celebrating its flagship infrastructure building initiative Belt and Road.
Some hypothesize that the wave of Chinese "active diplomacy" in 2023 can be linked to Xi’s need to build a solid foundation for international relations. Others believe that these moves are necessary for China to win more partners in an increasingly fragmented world. According to this latest reading, by increasing ties with the South of the world the Dragon would be securing raw materials and supply chains for the future. What is certain is that the Asian giant intends to reshape the current global order. And the Global South seems willing to make its contribution.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-02-24 07:32:00. Original title: Gli occhi di Xi sul Sud Globale: qual è il piano della Cina
