Is China really a champion of the Global South?

China's position as a champion of the Global South remains a subject of intense debate, with conflicting narratives emerging from both domestic and international perspectives. Recent reports suggest that while China has positioned itself as a defender of developing nations, its actions may reflect broader strategic goals rather than purely altruistic motives. The nation's alignment with the Group of 77, a coalition of 134 countries primarily from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, has been a cornerstone of its diplomatic strategy. However, critics argue that this alliance serves more as a means to consolidate influence than as genuine support for the Global South's collective interests. Historically, China's trajectory offers insight into its current ambitions. During the 19th century, Qing-dynasty China was the world's largest economy, contributing nearly a third of global GDP in purchasing-power-parity terms. This changed dramatically following the so-called "century of humiliation," during which China was subjected to invasions and occupations by Western powers and Japan. In contrast, the United States emerged as a dominant force, surpassing Britain in economic size by 1903 and later solidifying its global hegemony after World War II. Through institutions such as the United Nations, the Bretton Woods framework, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the U.S. established a lasting economic order that shaped the post-war world. China's modern resurgence began under Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms in 1978. These policies catalyzed rapid industrialization and integration into the global economy. By 2010, China had become the world's second-largest economy, and as of 2024, its share of global manufacturing exceeded 30%. Meanwhile, the U.S. share of global manufacturing dropped to just 15%, a sharp decline from its 50% share in 1945. This shift laid the groundwork for escalating tensions, particularly in the context of the U.S.-China trade war, which began in 2018 with the imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports. The dispute further intensified when the U.S. left the WTO's Appellate Body in an incomplete state, undermining its ability to arbitrate trade disputes. As a result, China's trade surplus with the U.S. decreased from a high of $400 billion in 2018 to approximately $200 billion in 2025. Many Chinese exports still enter the U.S. via intermediaries such as Mexico and Canada. In response, China has prioritized self-reliance, investing heavily in resilient supply chains for essential technologies like semiconductors. It has also leveraged its control over rare earth minerals, a resource critical to advanced manufacturing and defense systems. Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have publicly asserted that "the East is rising and the West is declining." This narrative frames the U.S. as a declining superpower driven by "hegemonic anxiety" and reacting to China's ascent. Yet, the U.S. remains the world's largest economy, with a nominal GDP of around $32 trillion and a national debt exceeding $40 trillion. Despite these challenges, the U.S. continues to exert considerable influence, maintaining a vast military presence in 178 countries and hosting 35 of the world's top 100 universities. Immigration patterns also underscore the U.S.'s enduring appeal, with 55% of its billion-dollar startups having at least one foreign-born founder. China, by comparison, is characterized by its homogeneity and limited openness. While it has made strides in scientific research, with R&D spending surpassing that of the U.S. in 2024 and publishing a record number of academic papers in 2025, its approach to innovation emphasizes affordability and practical application. This focus aligns with its broader goal of achieving technological independence, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, where it competes directly with the U.S. for global leadership. Despite these developments, skepticism persists regarding China's capacity to serve as a reliable leader for the Global South. Critics argue that its engagement with developing nations is often transactional, driven by geopolitical and economic interests rather than a commitment to shared prosperity. As the competition between the U.S. and China intensifies, the question of who truly represents the Global South, and what that representation entails, remains unresolved.