China rethinks the role of a great country in the world — South China Morning Post
China is increasingly clearly describing its international role as that of a “great country,” rather than a superpower, emphasizing sovereignty, multilateralism, international law and development. This is stated in an analytical article by the South China Morning Post devoted to changing perceptions of state power in the 21st century.
Beijing possesses the traditional features of a great power: a large population, significant territory, a powerful economy, advanced technological capabilities and growing military potential. At the same time, in official rhetoric, the Chinese authorities call the country a “great country,” avoiding the definitions “great power” or “superpower.”
Power is not only about military might
As the publication notes, the concept of a superpower emerged during World War II. In a 1944 book, American political scientist William T. R. Fox placed the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union in a new category of states. Their defining feature was the ability to deploy and sustain troops across large theaters of military operations, relying on overseas bases and broad geopolitical influence.
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At the same time, military potential is no longer the sole source of international influence, SCMP writes. Industrial capacity, finance, technology, global supply chains and the production of critical goods have become important instruments. A state with powerful armed forces may be constrained by the weakness of its industrial base, logistics, finances or ability to sustain a prolonged confrontation.
Trade and technology
The publication cites the confrontation between the United States and China in trade and technology as an example of such interdependence. During last year’s tariff escalation, China, in addition to reciprocal tariffs, took measures in areas where it has significant leverage, including with regard to critical minerals. Subsequent negotiations, according to SCMP, demonstrated the close connection between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s White Paper on global governance presents the Global Governance Initiative as an attempt to build a fairer and more equitable international system. The document emphasizes multilateral cooperation and an international order in which the UN plays a central role. In the publication’s view, the concept of a “responsible great country” emphasizes not only the scale of a state’s capabilities, but also how they are used in international relations.
