Since the start of the 21st century, China has shown its desire to recapture its previous position as the world's most powerful and influential nation. Centuries ago, China -- going by the name of the "Middle Kingdom" -- was the world's most influential nation until Western European countries arrived on the shores of the Chinese empire in the early 16th century.
In addition to being forced to open up the country to foreign trade and Western religions and ideals -- including those that impacted the relationship between the country's ruler and its citizens, by the mid-19th century, China was also confronted by Western military aggression and the imposition of extra-territorial treaties. If that was not enough, China was defeated by Japan, a small island country existing on the fringes of Chinese civilisation. Submission to Japan and Western powers was a double humiliation for China. Loss of pride has subsequently shaped the country's pursuit to regain its top position on the global stage.
During the past five decades, China has developed dramatically, recently becoming the world's second-biggest economy after the United States. The country has relentlessly strived to be the world's number one -- a coveted position that could help it vanquish the "Century of Humiliation" and restore its rightful place in the world.
China's ability to be powerful and influential relies on multiple factors, including strength at home and its rapport throughout the world. Both factors allow China to share ideas and assist other countries in projects that lead to common development, prosperity and security.
In terms of its military, China has modernised its armed forces on all fronts -- not only for activities within the planet but also in outer space. The country has become the most powerful state within the Asia-Pacific region through its combination of nuclear weapons, conventional weapons and cyber-space military technologies. Additionally, it has slowly but steadily expanded its military presence from the Western Pacific through the whole of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It would not be surprising to eventually see the Chinese fleet in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
In terms of trade and investment, China has expanded its impactful presence around the world through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by using its Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to enhance state, investment, and people-to-people contact and exchanges.
Chinese investors and the government have together successfully positioned themselves as a global factory, with Chinese-made products being shipped with monumental scope across all continents, making China the No.1 trading partner of most countries. It has also become the top provider through a combination of grants and concession loans to many developing countries around the world. Loans and grants from China have been used for the construction and modernisation of transport infrastructure such as deep-sea ports and airports, roads, railways and public buildings.
China prides itself on its development model, namely a one-party authoritarian system and a mixed economy of state-led enterprises and private companies. China has promoted its model to developing countries in opposition to the Western system of multi-party competition and a market economy.
Additionally, China has joined hands with Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa in forming the Brics group to enhance intra-economic activities, including the creation of the New Development Bank (NDB). Brics membership has been expanding, with multiple countries applying to join.
Therefore, it could be said that China has been taking on a global leadership role, a challenge to the dominance of Western powers. The country is also providing alternatives for developing countries to end their reliance on the Western world. The AIIB and the NDB, as well as the programme to utilise its national currency instead of the US dollar, is a challenge to international and regional organisations founded by Western countries and alliances such as the World Bank, the IMF, the Group of Seven (G7) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In short, developing countries within the Global South, seeking leverage and bargaining chips, have two options -- the West's G7 or Brics.
Despite the benefits provided by China to the Global South, not everything is roses. Offerings under the BRI and AIIB come with strings attached. There are many stories of countries going bankrupt for defaulting on loans after various infrastructure projects built by China's loans were not fiscally viable. These countries then have to give up authority and ownership to Chinese creditors to clear debts. There have been many accusations and reports of corruption and under-the-table payments that Chinese officials have given to political leaders in countries to accept these loans, although these projects were destined to fail from the start.
When the international community or countries criticise China about these matters, China responds by punishing such countries economically, either through trade embargoes or the prohibition of Chinese tourists, as well as suspension of bilateral cooperative programmes and activities. Such coercive tactics are not limited to developing countries, as the international community has also witnessed similar strategies used against the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea over their overlapping territorial claims, claims by each country that have been upheld in the international court of law.
In terms of the environment, China has been criticised for controlling international rivers flowing from it towards the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea by constantly expanding water and dam projects upstream. These upstream water infrastructure projects allow China to utilise the flow of these essential waters as a proverbial Sword of Damocles over countries downstream.
It should be recalled that China previously annexed Tibet and has more or less ended any form of democratic life in Hong Kong, in spite of its agreement with the UK, while also threatening the very survival of Taiwan.
The international community is witnessing the two characteristics of China. On the one hand, there is a benevolent China that helps emancipate developing nations in the Global South from the grips of the Western world. On the other hand, there is a China that is aggressive and confrontational, which is not conducive to world peace and common prosperity.
In terms of trade, China has been criticised for not acting fairly towards its trading partners and for inducing fear and anxiety.
China must dispel this perception. There should be only one Chinese character, that of the kind and attentive "uncle" next door.