Manoj Kewalramani, an expert on China's global influence, discusses the recent G20 summit and how China positioned itself as a leader for developing nations. He highlights China's focus on poverty alleviation initiatives and its collaborative approach to the Belt and Road Initiative. The conversation also dives into China's 'Friends of Peace' coalition addressing the Ukraine crisis and analyzes the nuances of India-China diplomatic relations following a key ministerial meeting. Kewalramani offers insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape.
China's participation in the G20 Summit emphasized its ambition to reshape global governance by advocating for representation of developing nations in institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
The recent China-Brazil meeting showcased a strategic shift in collaboration focusing on local priorities, reflecting deeper political trust while navigating complex bilateral relations with India.
Deep dives
China's Engagement in Global Governance
China's recent participation in the G20 summit underscored its commitment to maintaining the platform's significance in global economic governance. Xi Jinping emphasized the need for reforms in the World Bank and the IMF, advocating for greater representation of developing countries in these institutions. By promoting its model of development, China positioned itself as an alternative to potential protectionist policies that may arise with a future U.S. administration, particularly referencing the possible return of Trump. This approach highlights China's intention to strengthen its influence in global governance discussions while promoting cooperation and connectivity among nations.
Promotion of China's Development Model
During the summit, Xi Jinping articulated a vision that juxtaposes China's successes in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development against traditional Western models. He asserted that if China could achieve significant advancements, other developing nations could replicate similar successes, highlighting China's narrative of resilience and perseverance. Notably, he announced China's participation in initiatives like the global alliance against hunger and poverty, aiming to foster collaboration with Brazil and other nations. This strategy aims to position China as a leader in addressing global challenges while expanding its own soft power in international relations.
Bilateral Relations with Brazil
The recent bilateral meeting between China and Brazil marked a significant step in redefining their partnership, crystallized by Xi Jinping's pledge to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil's development goals. This shift indicates a potential moderation in China's approach to the BRI, focusing on local priorities while also addressing Brazil’s recent adoption of new tariffs on Chinese imports. The symbolism of the relationship was elevated with terminology like 'community for a just future,' reflecting deeper political trust. However, the substantive agreements reached during the summit suggest a cautious approach from Brazil, emphasizing that future collaborations will be topic-specific rather than blanket agreements.
India-China Dialogue Post-Summit
The meeting between the external affairs ministers of India and China highlighted the ongoing complexities in their bilateral relationship. Both nations recognized the need for stability along their borders to improve future interactions, yet differing narratives emerged from both sides about their discussions. While India’s readout emphasized principles of peace and a multipolar Asian vision, China's portrayal suggested a readiness to engage without letting specific differences wholly define relations. This divergence underscores fundamental misunderstandings and the continuing challenge each side faces in articulating mutual respect and cooperation amidst underlying tensions.
The 19th G20 Summit recently concluded on November 19, 2024 in Rio, and given that the overarching themes of the summit were quite relevant to the developing world, China's engagements struck home with countries like Brazil and South Africa. From talking about its major role in alleviating poverty and hunger, to launching an alliance on Open Science and reiterating the importance of 'Friends of Peace on the Ukraine Crisis', China's pitch at the G20 clearly demonstrated its ambitions to play a vital role in the grouping.
In this episode of All Things Policy, Manoj Kewalramani discusses with Anushka Saxena how to see through some of China's rhetoric, and which statements and initiatives should one continue to watch out for. Manoj also talks about the daylight in India and China's perspectives on bilateral relations and the two sides' roles in the region and the world, as evident from the meeting between their foreign/ external affairs ministers on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.
Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/
Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
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