ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how China conceives of the Global South (i.e., the developing world), its increasing importance in Beijing's ambitious geostrategy, and China's evolving methods and objectives toward developing countries. China portrays itself as both a developing country and a major power, a self-portrait that attracts like-minded partner countries while insulating Beijing from international leadership on issues unrelated to its strategic priorities. This chapter identifies the three main characteristics of China's approach (asymmetry, comprehensiveness, and its interlocking structure) and elucidates the various economic, political, and security policy tools that comprise China's comprehensive approach toward the Global South. It concludes with an analysis of the headwinds that China is facing in these regions including fallout from its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, its increasingly precarious economic position, and an emerging debt crisis among some developing countries. Beijing's primary objectives – regime survival and advancing China's position vis-à-vis the United States – remain insufficient to engender widespread support among developing countries for a China-led world order. Amid its aggressive Wolf Warrior diplomacy and lacking an economic resurgence to buoy its engagement, China will find it increasingly difficult to expand its partnerships with developing countries.
