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Jul 8, 20213 min read

How will China promote itself globally in a post-pandemic recovery?

By: Kelly Hu


In recent years, China has emerged as a global power, apparent through its advancement in numerous sectors from its advanced economy and transformation of global supply chains to the strengthening of its military and maritime presence to the spread of its investment in the developing world through policies like the Belt and Road Initiative. It has become overwhelmingly clear that one of Beijing’s top foreign policy priorities is increasing Chinese influence across the world.


The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic provided China with opportunities to expand its influence in a variety of ways such as sending supplies to struggling nations, disinformation campaigns, and more. Currently, as the world is coming out of lockdown and beginning its post-pandemic transition and recovery, China, as a global power, has opportunities to expand its influence once again.


Vaccine Diplomacy

In what has been known as vaccine nationalism, wealthy Western nations scrambled to buy massive amounts of vaccine doses exclusively for their own citizens in late 2020 and early 2021. For example, countries like the United States have focused solely on domestic vaccination, hurting efforts to promote an equitable international distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, such as the COVAX initiative by the World Health Organization. With a heavily reduced availability of vaccines from Western nations or in Western markets, developing nations have turned to other states such as China instead.


Taking advantage of the opportunity, China has positioned itself as a provider of vaccines to developing nations across the world. In an effort linked to the Belt and Road Initiative, China formed a “Health Silk Road'', through which vaccine trials were run across the Middle East and Latin America. To date, China has shipped over 400 million doses of its Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccine to more than 80 countries, with 53 of these countries receiving them for free. As a result, not only has China gained influence and leverage within specific countries for shipping vaccines, but it has framed itself as a benevolent ally and the solution to the pandemic.


Medical Assistance

During the pandemic, as nations across the world were struggling with the lack of medical supplies to combat the disease, China stepped in with assistance. By late October of 2020, China provided over 179 billion masks, 1.73 billion protective suits, and 543 million testing kits to 150 countries and seven international organizations. While the United States has either retreated or taken a relatively reactive stance in regions like Africa, China has continued its efforts to supply the continent with medical equipment and personnel. As regions across the world are continuing to combat waves of COVID-19, China is continuing to provide them with medical supplies needed, establishing themselves as a protector of developing nations and growing their influence in the process.


Boosting Trade

Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China has already increased its investment and trade exponentially in countless regions across the world. Coming out of a global pandemic, many countries are focused on promoting economic growth to fix their damaged economies. In response, China has looked towards boosting trade with other countries. Beijing has entered into trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with many Southeast Asian Countries, opened up trade negotiations such as for a China-EU Free Trade Agreement, and is continuing with its Belt and Road Initiative.


China’s 14th Five Year Plan for 2021-2025 aims to not only focus on domestic goals for economic and social development but also to reaffirm China’s commitment to international cooperation and development. China will no doubt continue to prioritize the spread of its power and influence, especially in the developing world. It’s imperative that we continue to watch Chinese policies enacted to achieve these goals during the world’s post-pandemic recovery, as well as the international community’s response.


Discussion Questions

  • How should the US respond to China’s increasing influence as the world comes out of lockdown?

  • What will the repercussions of China’s vaccine diplomacy be?

  • How has the pandemic changed the global balance of power?


Sources Used/Further Reading


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