China in the Global South: Development and influence in a shifting global order

After decades of being relegated to the periphery of China’s geostrategy, the regions of what is now collectively termed the Global South – Southeast Asia, South Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East – have become an essential component of China’s external engagement and foreign policy. China is now a central player in the economic and technological development of countries across the developing world, with significant implications for these countries’ trajectories as well as their relations with the United States and other developed democracies. At the same time, China’s growing influence in these regions is increasingly hampered by systemic factors, including China’s slowing economy, raising questions about China’s bid to lead the Global South and shape the narrative on the global development agenda. These dynamics all play out against the backdrop of escalating Sino-US strategic economic, security and technological rivalry, and transnational security threats like pandemics, climate change, and terrorism.

This conference will tackle these issues and more, with a particular focus on convening a diverse group of experts from the Global South as well as from the private sector and US and allied governments to kickstart innovative and collaborative policy solutions to mounting strategic rivalry in the Global South and that help ensure engagement with China serves the interests of developing countries.

Please register via the registration box on this page to express your interest in attending this conference! Due to space constraints, in-person registration is now closed. Please visit this page on the day of the event to participate virtually.