Economic power remains China\u2019s most important tool of power in the field of foreign policy. In recent years, China has emerged as a global economic superpower, using its economic dynamism to expand its influence in international forums, weaken the dominance of Western countries (especially the United States), and strengthen its relations with countries of the \u201cGlobal South\u201d. This strategy is based on three main axes: promoting political and economic alliances, securing access to critical mineral resources, and investing in physical and digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic Power as a Lever of Geopolitical Influence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n China has transformed from a closed economy into a global power, with its GDP exceeding 18 trillion. dollars. This economic growth gives it a significant advantage on the international stage, as it can use trade agreements, investments, and loans as tools of pressure or speculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A classic example is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to create an infrastructure network connecting China with Asia, Africa and Europe. Through it, China provides loans and expertise to developing countries, while strengthening its political influence. Many of these countries, such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have significant economic dependence on China, giving it a greater bargaining advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weakening Western Hegemony and Eminence in International Forums<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n China seeks to reshape the international system, reducing the influence of the United States and the European Union. In organizations such as the UN, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, China is strengthening its position, promoting alternative structures such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, China uses its economic power to isolate countries that oppose its geopolitical interests. For example, the economic pressure on Australia due to political disagreements or the sanctions against Lithuania for supporting Taiwan show how trade is becoming a weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategic Connection with the Global South<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Countries in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia are key targets for China. Through investments in mines, ports and industrial zones, China secures access to critical mineral resources (e.g. lithium, cobalt, rare earths), which are essential for its technology industries. At the same time, with initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China is strengthening its diplomatic presence, offering \u201caid\u201d without political conditions, in contrast to the West, which usually imposes demands for democracy or human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Investments in Infrastructure and Digital Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n China is investing massively in 5G & 6G networks, artificial intelligence and digital currencies, promoting its technology companies (Huawei, Mi, ZTE) on a global scale. Its commitment to the development of defense technology and space applications is a given and effective. These technological infrastructures are not only commercial products, but also tools of geopolitical influence, as they give China control of critical information networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Challenges<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its economic success, China faces resistance due to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past two decades, the Chinese people\u2019s infrastructure policy has provided them with an explosion of infrastructure development in all areas: public works, housing projects, medical technology, etc. China continues to rely on its economic power to advance its geopolitical agenda. In a world where economics and politics are increasingly intertwined, China is a model of how money can be transformed into power.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Economic power remains China\u2019s most important tool of power in the field of foreign policy. In recent years, China has emerged as a global…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24700,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[836,3],"tags":[161,5990,2404,2523],"class_list":["post-24699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-geopolitical","category-geopolitical","tag-china","tag-economic-power","tag-foreign-policy","tag-international-relations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24699"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24701,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24699\/revisions\/24701"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n