China is profiling itself as a stabilizing actor on in world politics, after the US killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, says political analyst Victor Shih at the South China Morning Post. However, China’s presentation of itself as respectful of the sovereignty of other nations does not square with numerous examples of China looking to use its economic sway to influence other nations’ diplomacy or politics, Shih said.
The South China Morning Post:
For domestic audiences, state media coverage of the situation, and China’s role, has boosted a long-term drive to present the country as a stabilising international force in contrast to the United States, analysts said.
“This event obviously has helped China make the argument that the US is in fact isolating itself in the world by engaging in unilateral interventions in other countries, and China is on the side of the righteous majority in resisting [what it frames as] US hegemonic activities,” said Victor Shih, associate professor of political economy at the University of California San Diego’s school of global policy and strategy.
However, China’s presentation of itself as respectful of the sovereignty of other nations does not square with numerous examples of China looking to use its economic sway to influence other nations’ diplomacy or politics, Shih said.
Major outlets including state news agency Xinhua, China Daily and People’s Daily, have highlighted the potential for China to play a role in stabilising the region and characterised the US as a destabilising presence in the Middle East.
More in the South China Morning Post.
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