China’s Global Governance Challenge and Domestic Reforms

In a new piece for The Diplomat, Global Leaders Fellow Zheng Chen rethinks the ‘Kindleberger Trap’ and its implications for the rise of China.

Dr Chen argues that:

• Currently, the established power still enjoys power superiority but refuses to assume its responsibility, while the rising power is eager to play a greater role but still lacks sufficient capability
• It is continued unrivaled American primacy that gives Trump both incentive and capability to play the unilateral game
• While many Western observers are worrying that Beijing will “free ride,”  Chinese analysts are concerned more about their country’s growing risks of “strategic overdraft”
• Serving a country that is home to one-fifth of the global population is a major responsibility, and the greatest contribution that the Chinese government could offer for global governance
• Domestic weakness should not stop China from acting more constructively in global governance. Instead, further global engagement could help to promote China’s domestic reforms in constructive ways

Read the article here