An often quoted saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Fast forward to the third decade of the 21st century, and we say, “With louder narratives comes greater prowess.” From national to global governance, the contemporary world is seeing some of the fiercest battles over controlling the narrative. A case in point is the rise of China.

The Asian giant has made its place in the world with its multi-pronged efforts, from lucrative financial assistance to establishing the largest network of diplomatic posts. From offering bailout packages to investing in critical and strategic infrastructure, traces of Chinese interests are everywhere. The world could be wary of China, but no one can ignore its presence in the room.

However, the lack of faith in this unilateral rise is evident from global support for initiatives aimed at diversifying industrial reliance beyond the current monopoly. The China+1 policy is one such initiative. In light of the growing regional turbulence and bilateral discomfort, it becomes all the more important to analyse China’s increasing influence and the direction in which it is headed.

China’s Influence: An Overview

The two-pronged approach adopted by China—the ‘infrastructural industrial complex’ and its ‘military-civil infusion’—offer a multifaceted insight into China’s manoeuvring in the global domain. Currently, the country has invested over USD 1 trillion on infrastructural projects outside of its borders, while having loaned over USD 600 billion in infrastructure-related loans—higher than those extended by the World Bank and the Asia Development Bank, among others.

Furthermore, China’s extensive economic influence in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region has further bolstered its stance, with investments and contracts between the MENAT and Beijing amounting to USD
273 billion
over 17 years. In Africa alone, this marks an increase of 520 per cent in the last 15 years. The ambitious Belt Road Initiative (BRI), which alone accounted for nearly
21 per cent
of China’s investments in the region in 2022, amidst other construction projects, also plays a crucial role in determining China’s influence in the region, affecting 40 of the 54 countries in the African continent.

The strategic importance being accorded to Africa by the Chinese leadership is also visible in the
10,000
Chinese private firms that are now operating in the continent with a potential to generate USD
440 billion
in revenue by 2025. China is also the biggest exporter to 19 of the 40 sub-Saharan countries.

China’s influence in Latin America, along with increased investments in the “Lithium Triangle” of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile via the construction of lithium production units, amounts to over USD
73 billion
from 2000 to 2018. Additional investments in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru to develop artificial intelligence, smart cities, and 5G technology further solidify China’s position in the region.

Developments in the Middle East are also indicators of China’s growing rapport in the region. The increasingly warming acquaintance signifies a rather dangerous predicament for the Western world, particularly the US, which remains the largest arms exporter to the Middle Eastern arms market. Over the past decade alone, Chinese arms sales in the region have increased by
80 per cent
, owing to their promises of express shipping, financing, and the lack of an end-user agreement. Additionally, China’s extensive dependence on the Gulf for its oil imports and arms exports (worth USD
307 billion
over 16 years) is also one of the driving factors for the astronomical increase in regional cooperation.

Its widespread role in shaping the political crisis in Myanmar by not only extending arms support but also pushing for a ceasefire by coordinating the three ethnic armies—the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army—indicates its further involvement in regional politics. Additionally, China’s extensive movement in the Indian Ocean to control critical sea lanes through its alleged “String of Pearls” strategy is a manifestation of its mighty hard power politics—an attempt to demonstrate its valour to the world.

China as the Global Hegemon: Will it, or Won’t it?

According to a recent study conducted by the
Pew Research Centre
, over 47 per cent of Americans believe that the US influence is diminishing, while 66 per cent of the people consider an increase in Chinese geopolitical influence. Moreover, an overwhelming number of people in the US consider China an “enemy” rather than a “partner”.

Despite the vehemently opposing opinions on China worldwide and its robust ambitions in progressing as a geopolitical hegemony, the lack of transparency on its account prohibits the country from harbouring trust among world leaders.

This is evident by the increasing influence of the China+1 policy, where nations such as India and Vietnam play a pivotal role in providing alternative infrastructural support to the world. The world also recognises India’s significance as a major geopolitical and geographical partner in striking a balance in the region amidst China’s increasing military movement. Repeated violations of territorial integrity and challenging a rule-based world order make China a constant threat to the peace and stability of the region.

Moreover,
Chinese protectionist policies
are often seen as a hindrance to foreign businesses, as is evident in increasing regulations on tech giants such as Meta and Google. The lack of trust thus becomes mutual, with Chinese tech giants such as Huawei (a company generating over 100 billion USD of annual revenue) being banned for operations in 13 countries.

A world where China rises as the hegemonic superpower will be a world with numerous unanswered questions—the increasing offensive tactics against the Uighur community in the Xinjiang region, the challenges in Taiwan, or the massive censorship of freedom of speech and expression. With the ever-evolving power dynamics and shifting loyalties, it becomes imminent to follow the traces of Chinese money around the world to understand the nuances of the emerging Chinese order.

Deeksha Goel is a Deputy Director at India Foundation, a think tank based in New Delhi. Shubhangi Mishra is an Associate (Research and Content) at Ardent Co. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.