The United States is an overextended hegemon, and its decline will continue slowly, as other powers like China assume more global responsibilities. Against this backdrop, China’s efforts to lead the Global South are more about consolidating its power in the current international system than creating a new one that benefits all.
PRETORIA—China often leans into its “developing country” status, portraying itself as a defender of the Global South’s interests and cultivating a close alliance with the Group of 77, which includes 134 countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. But some have questioned whether China’s efforts to lead the Global South are less about shattering the status quo and more about consolidating its power as the United States disengages from the international system it built.
