In today’s complex world, two opposing models of interstate relations are shaping the global landscape. The first is the traditional geopolitical model, reminiscent of the Cold War era, which relies on security-centered alliances like NATO, AUKUS, and the Quad. This approach focuses on containing global rivals and leveraging military strength to gain geopolitical advantages, leading to increased militarization of global commons such as space, land, and oceans. This dominance-driven model has resulted in active conflicts worldwide, highlighting its limitations.
Contrasting this is China’s geoeconomic-centered model, which emphasizes economic partnerships, trade, and connectivity to foster an inclusive and mutually beneficial global community. Institutions like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) exemplify this approach by promoting regional peace and prosperity through economic cooperation rather than military alliances. China's role in mediating tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia underscores the growing importance of economic factors in uniting nations.
With over $1 trillion invested in the BRI, China is leading one of the most significant diplomatic and developmental initiatives of the 21st century. This effort aims to enhance global trade and infrastructural connectivity, offering an alternative to the U.S.-led funding of conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza. These wars not only threaten regional stability but also jeopardize the global connectivity envisioned by China's geoeconomic model. Additionally, the U.S. has invested over $6 trillion in post-9/11 conflicts, causing devastation in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen.
The international community is increasingly recognizing the shortcomings of the West’s "rules-based order," which often follows double standards and promotes exclusionary politics. This has led to a shift towards more inclusive global social contracts, as evidenced by the renewed interest in trade and economic cooperation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden during the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco.
President Xi encapsulates China's vision by stating, \"Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, and one country's success is an opportunity for the other.\" This perspective resonates with many war-weary nations seeking stability through cooperation rather than competition. However, tensions remain as the U.S. grapples with closing the technological gap with China, particularly in high-tech sectors like AI and quantum computing. Initiatives like the \"Chip 4\" alliance reflect ongoing efforts to challenge China’s advancements in technology.
Despite these challenges, China’s commitment to a geoeconomic approach continues to influence global dynamics, offering a pathway to a more cooperative and just international order.
Reference(s):
Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: Bedrock of just global order
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