ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes Chinese responses to the events of the Covid-19 global pandemic and identifιes themes of Chinese exceptionalism and Chinese benevolence in Beijing’s pandemic-related global interactions. Three core narratives have framed China’s response: that China is a responsible power; that China is self-sacrifιcing; and that China is superior to the West. At the same time, however, the events of the Covid-19pandemic have also generated considerable criticism of the Chinese government, and how it being perceived as being good and diffferent from the West. All of these factors have long-term implications for China’s claim to global leadership and the attractiveness of its political worldview.
