“Peaceful Coexistence, New Diplomacy, and the New Silk Roads? New Imperialism!”The Other Globalization: South-South Cooperation in the UN, Shanghai Cooperation Organization+, BRICS+, BRI, Africa and Latin America, South China Sea and West-Pacific Military Buildup, Foreign Trade and Investment—And a New Immigration Wave

This chapter explores China’s evolving role in global diplomacy, focusing on its influence within South-South cooperation, the reshaping of global power dynamics, and the challenge it presents to Western-dominated structures. It examines China’s shift from a recipient to a donor of development aid, with initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) having bolstered economic and diplomatic ties across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. In contrast to Western powers, China’s diplomatic approach model adheres to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, which include non-interference, non-aggression, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality, and cooperation for mutual benefit. China’s growing influence in global governance, notably within the UN, showcases this new diplomatic approach. The chapter also addresses the strategic partnership between China and Russia, which has intensified since 2014, especially in the wake of Western sanctions on Russia. This collaboration has reshaped global military and economic landscapes, leading to a new balance of power. Furthermore, the EU’s response to China’s increasing influence in Europe is analyzed, highlighting the divergent approaches of EU member states and the potential for more cooperative engagement. The chapter argues that China’s global initiatives represent a shift away from previous neoliberal governance approaches, emphasizing multipolarity rather than unipolarity and hegemony, cooperative development, restructuring and regulation of private outbound foreign direct investments (oFDI), and an overall alternative to traditional imperialistic models, making China a key player in the future of global governance.