China and the Global South in a Contested World Order

This book presents a systematic critique of China and the Global South. Drawing on English and Chinese literature, it identifies and analyses key dynamics behind China's policies and practices in its expanding engagement with Global South countries. Specifically, the book examines China-Global South development diplomacy; tracks dynamics of change; deconstructs China's core ideas of "true" multilateralism and international law; illuminates micrology of power in their development partnerships and unpacks China's digital rise and relations. The author foregrounds voices and perceptions from China and the Global South and combines policies with practices on the ground through a range of cases including Belt and Road Initiative and China's development relations with Africa and Southeast Asia. It offers important insights into China's Provincial and Sub-Provincial development diplomacy with Africa and Southeast Asia. The author argues that China and Global South relations are pivotal in a contested world order, with common challenges and shared interests. But there are also differences and competition, and there is much work to do by both China and the Global South to make their relationship an effective force for global change. This effort is framed by major power competition, tension and unpredictability in an era of polycrisis.