New era of global leadership

For the last two centuries, China has witnessed many ups and downs, but also learned lessons and become more mature, wiser, and practical as a nation. Credit goes to President Xi Jinping who has a strong personality of a visionary leader and is equipped with Chinese traditional wisdom. He is currently one of the most popular leaders in the history of China. Experts have termed him the second most popular leader, after Chairman Mao.

During the first session of the 17th Group of 20 (G20) summits, Xi called on countries, the world’s major economies, in particular, to stand with each other in the face of risks and challenges, join hands together, and elevate win-win cooperation to a new height. The Chinese leader called for more global efforts to support and assist developing countries and ensure that the benefits be shared by all across the globe, saying, “Development is real only when all countries develop together. This is the century of media and the flow of information is so quick and rapid that no single country can develop or sustain its developments in isolation.” China is a beneficiary of globalisation and multilateralism and is convinced to follow its same policy with enhanced and much widened horizon.

Moreover, the global crisis of two basic commodities, food and energy, are the most pressing challenge in global development causing a damaging impact on many countries and regions, especially after the Russia-Ukraine war. The rich countries in Europe are providing subsidies to its citizen to lessen the burden of a sharp hike in energy prices. But, how long will they sustain is a big question. According to the World Food Program, there is an unprecedented 345 million people whose lives and livelihoods are in immediate danger from acute food insecurity.

He pointed out that the root cause of the ongoing crisis is not production or demand, but interrupted supply chains and international cooperation. He suggested that the global community enhance cooperation on market supervision and regulation, build partnerships on commodities, develop an open, stable, and sustainable commodities market, and work together to unclog supply chains and stabilise market prices. His proposal was widely hailed by foreign experts and observers. As a matter of fact, China has attained a stage of development, where it can contribute to the development of other nations, further proving Xi’s spirit of a global leader.

President Xi’s remarks came at a critical moment when the world economy is facing a bunch of mixed and acute challenges including the increased risk of deep recession, growing attempts to form bloc politics and stoke confrontation, and a wider gap between the rich and the poor.

The world is going through unprecedented difficulties unseen in many decades, and the rising protectionism and isolationism, the resurgence of the outdated Cold-War mentality as well as arbitrary sanctions have seriously disrupted international cooperation to shore up recovery. Xi’s words at the G20 summit were, “I always believe that the G20 should stay committed to its founding purpose of unity and cooperation, carry forward the spirit of solidarity, and uphold the principle of consensus,” noting that “only solidarity and common development is the right choice to make.”

He emphasised, “Development is real only when all countries develop together. Prosperity and stability cannot be possible in a world where the rich become richer while the poor are made poorer.” He also urged frontrunners in development to sincerely help others develop, and provide more global public goods. “All major countries should perform their due responsibilities, and do their best for the cause of global development,” he added.

His words are a vivid reflection of China’s long-term commitment to common development. For decades, the country has always lent a supportive hand to developing countries, especially those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America through investment, infrastructure, skills training, and education. Pakistan is one of the countries that fell victim to the Russia-Ukraine war. The country is prevented from buying cheaper fuel and food from Russia. The trend in the increase of fuel prices, might further push the middle class into poverty.

Pakistan is currently facing pressures to keep its distance from China and the smooth execution of CPEC might aggregate another economic crisis in the country. Whereas India is allowed to import cheaper fuel and food from Russia as well as from Iran, sanctions are no hurdle for India for the West keep its eyes closed and permits India to be beneficiary of cheaper fuel and food. Pakistan needs to realign its foreign policies and keep balance in its relations with the West and China-Russia. Our national interests must be protected at all costs and looked after at all levels.

China has the capacity to reshape the world order; it has ample resources and potential to balance geopolitics. The country is strong economically, well-advanced technologically, and independent militarily. After the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President Xi has been strengthened further. His policies will be continued in a more aggressive manner. The opening up of China may be of higher quality with reforms becoming deeper and the policy of globalisation and multilateralism improving in quality. The Chinese involvement in international affairs may increase. Its contribution to the global economy, developments, and security might be much more visible.

It has been already established that President Xi is a global leader and is recognised in the international community. Gone are the days when the West used to pressurise China. The country has successfully surpassed the stage where it might get influenced by any other major country. Today, the future is China, those who understand China and stand by it will be in the long run.

The writer teaches at NUST and is an analyst and non-resident fellow of Centre for China and Globalisation