Beijing’s Vision for a New World Order
Beijing believes that the current global order, led by the United States, is in chaos and declining. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, however, has a plan to replace it. He wants a new framework that prioritizes national sovereignty, where nations are equal and free from outside interference. Xi’s Global Security Initiative, introduced after the start of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizes the protection of sovereignty as its first principle.
Although Russia’s invasion of Ukraine challenges China’s stance on sovereignty, Xi has chosen to stand with Russia instead of supporting Ukraine’s fight for independence. This conflicting position has forced Chinese diplomats to dance around the issue and try to maintain their neutrality, even staging a peace mission. However, this war raises doubts about Xi’s vision for a new world order and his ability to achieve it.
China consistently emphasizes its commitment to respecting the sovereignty of other countries, expecting the same in return. From China’s perspective, sovereignty gives the Communist Party the authority to govern within its borders as it wishes, including actions like detaining Uyghurs in Xinjiang and stifling democracy advocates in Hong Kong. China rejects the idea of universal values that apply to all people, regardless of their location.
China’s emphasis on sovereignty is closely tied to its claim that Taiwan is part of China. Interacting with Taiwan’s government is seen as a violation of China’s sovereignty. This position appeals not only to autocratic leaders seeking to suppress dissent but also to leaders in the developing world who have experienced the negative impact of Western colonialism.
As Xi becomes more involved in international affairs, his professed principles clash with his strategic goals. China frequently intrudes on other countries’ sovereignty, as seen with incidents like the Chinese spy balloon in American airspace and alleged interference in Canada’s national elections. But the Ukraine war poses the greatest challenge to Xi’s ideological framework.
Although Chinese leaders initially appeared conflicted about the war, they have strengthened ties with Russia and provided political and economic support without directly aiding the war effort. Chinese diplomats now talk about sovereignty with greater ambiguity, often questioning Washington’s respect for sovereignty in Ukraine while deflecting criticism of China’s own sovereignty issues.
Xi issued a proposal to end the Ukraine conflict, which included upholding the sovereignty of all countries but did not specifically mention Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized the importance of restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting the unambiguous nature of sovereignty for Ukraine.
China’s lack of regard for Ukraine’s sovereignty may not deter developing countries attracted to Xi’s sovereignty rhetoric. These countries are more interested in shifting the global distribution of power and reducing Western influence. While China’s inconsistent stance may hinder its goal of presenting itself as a better alternative to the Western-organized international system, it is unlikely to have a significant impact in the global South.
In conclusion, Beijing’s vision for a new world order centers on sovereignty, but its actions in the Ukraine conflict raise doubts about its commitment to this principle. Despite this inconsistency, China’s promise of counterbalance and reducing Western dominance may still appeal to many developing countries.
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