The Atlantic Council recently hosted a two-day conference titled \”China in the Global South: Development and Influence in a Shifting Global Order.\” Scholars and experts from Africa, Asia, and Latin America convened to discuss China’s development programs and their impact on emerging economies.
Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, delivered a keynote address outlining the United States’ perspective on China’s role in the international system. He acknowledged that China has benefited from the current global order but expressed concerns that it often takes actions that undermine international principles.
\”China intends to reshape the international order,\” Kritenbrink stated. He raised issues regarding China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, trade practices, and activities that the U.S. views as aggressive abroad. Kritenbrink emphasized the importance of upholding international norms and the need for collaboration with nations in the Global South.
The conference highlighted the growing influence of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has brought infrastructure development to many developing countries. Participants discussed how the BRI and initiatives like the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative are reshaping relationships between China and countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Amid these discussions, U.S. officials underscored the importance of offering alternate development partnerships. At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked, \”If you’re not at the table in the international system, you’re going to be on the menu,\” highlighting the urgency felt by some U.S. policymakers.
The Atlantic Council’s conference reflects a broader dialogue on how nations in the Global South navigate relationships with major powers. As China continues to expand its global footprint through development projects and diplomatic initiatives, other nations are assessing the implications for the existing international order.
For countries seeking growth and development, partnerships with major economies like China and the United States offer different opportunities and challenges. The discussions at the conference suggest a need for inclusive engagement that respects the aspirations of the Global South while maintaining international norms and cooperation.
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Atlantic Council hopes to lure the Global South from China's 'embrace'
cgtn.com
