China’s recent narrative about its role in global affairs raises eyebrows. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to project the image of a “responsible power,” a notion echoed in outlets like China Daily and Global Times. They state, “China has all along been a staunch builder of world peace” and highlight the importance of a multipolar world in their communications. However, this self-portrayal starkly contrasts with China’s actual behavior on the international stage.
The CCP’s 2025 National Security White Paper outlines a vision of China as a stabilizing force. Yet, this claim is undermined by its support for conflicts worldwide. While Beijing condemns U.S. military actions as warmongering, it simultaneously funds Russia and the Myanmar junta, deepening involvement in global conflicts. This hypocrisy is evident as China strikes deals with the Iran-backed Houthis while criticizing U.S. actions in the same region.
Moreover, the notion that China champions global health is similarly questionable. The amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), which China supports, could enhance the World Health Organization’s authority, benefiting Beijing through expanded control. During the pandemic, China’s vaccine sales were often dubbed as aid, though they were indeed commercial transactions, complicating its altruistic claims.
China’s environmental policies also contradict its narrative of responsibility. Beijing boasts commitments to carbon neutrality and significant shares in global renewable energy capacities. Nevertheless, these accomplishments are closely tied to commercial interests, with China profiting from the production of green technologies while relying on environmentally detrimental rare earth mining in countries like Burma. This outsourcing of pollution highlights the true cost of its green agenda.
Despite being responsible for 32% of global CO₂ emissions, China positions itself as a climate diplomacy leader. It promotes initiatives like the South-South Cooperation Fund, yet the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) often translates to profit from clean technology sales rather than genuine environmental stewardship. China’s criticisms of the U.S. environmental record during diplomatic exchanges seem only to distract from its own issues.
Furthermore, the CCP’s 2025 National Security White Paper does not shy away from reinforcing a narrative that places China as a stabilizing force while painting the U.S. as reckless. China’s involvement in global crises, from vaccine diplomacy to its selective participation in treaties, aligns with the goals outlined in this document. It promotes the idea that only the CCP can manage complex global challenges, using instances of crisis to justify its authoritarian controls.
Any criticism of China’s approach is dismissed as interference. The CCP maintains a strict stance on issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, exemplifying its unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue about its internal policies. At the same time, China engages in multiple territorial disputes, exacerbating regional tensions while claiming to be a champion of developing nations.
Ultimately, as the CCP works to shape its global image, its actions reveal a different story. The commitment to being a responsible global actor is marred by contradictions and opportunism, suggesting that China’s narrative may serve more to bolster its position than to advance genuine global stability and peace.
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