China wants to be the voice of the Global South – but is the world ready for change?

China’s courting of developing nations is part of its goal of seeking a bigger global role amid isolation from the West, analysts say

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the general debate of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, in New York on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 10:00am, 3 Oct 2024

There was a message in China’s focus on developing countries at the annual UN General Assembly leaders’ meeting last week.

According to observers, China is eyeing greater support from the developing world as it faces increasing isolation from the West, while also seeking to position itself as an important player in the global order.

China made clear its support for developing nations in a position paper released for the 79th session of the General Assembly, a gathering of top officials from around the world that wrapped up in New York on Monday.

The position paper called on the international community to address challenges faced by emerging economies and stressed the need to give developing nations a greater voice and representation, including through changes to the United Nations, which Beijing has long urged.

“China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. It believes in equality between countries big or small, and opposes hegemonism and power politics,” the paper said.

“China holds that countries, regardless of size and strength, should be enabled to take part in decision-making, enjoy their rights and play their roles as equals in the process toward multipolarity.”