Introduction

China’s participation in international affairs has been increasing in recent decades. Its emergence as a leading voice among Global South countries has led many in the developed world to speculate about its intentions, assuming that China is orchestrating the overthrow of the current system and the establishment of a new one.

However, China has largely been a beneficiary of the established, UN-centered international system and has no intention of trying to replace it. But while it’s strongly committed to upholding this order, China, along with many other nations, seeks to make amendments that would make it fairer. By pursuing these amendments, China hopes to promote greater balance, so that it better reflects the interests of all nations, particularly developing ones.

China is not looking to create a new system. It’s looking to make the current system work for everyone.