Fact Check: Why is ＂China threat＂ narrative invalid?

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By Xinhua writer Li Binian (Xinhua) 14:23, March 09, 2025

The opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

From proposing an array of pro-development initiatives to mediating reconciliation in the Middle East and promoting peace on the Ukraine crisis, China's concrete actions have spoken volumes for its commitment to global peace and stability, as well as shared prosperity.

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's ongoing "two sessions" have once again highlighted its steadfast commitment to working with all countries to uphold international equity and justice, and safeguard world peace and stability in a world of changes and chaos.

Speaking Friday at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the country's national legislature, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that China will be a just and righteous force for world peace and stability, a progressive force for international fairness and justice, as well as a constructive force for the common development of the world.

Despite the so-called "China threat" narrative that has been hyped by some Western politicians and media, China's visions and actions have consistently demonstrated its dedication to global stability and cooperation, just as the foreign minister has pledged.

From proposing an array of pro-development initiatives to mediating reconciliation in the Middle East and promoting peace on the Ukraine crisis, China's concrete actions have spoken volumes for its commitment to global peace and stability, as well as shared prosperity.

SHARED DEVELOPMENT

While some Western media dismiss China's global economic engagement as "exploitative," the facts reveal a starkly different picture.

The nature of China's cooperation with other countries has always been mutually beneficial. China has prioritized empowering developing nations through tangible investments in infrastructure, trade access and collaborative frameworks that address historical inequities imposed by Western exploitation.

A key example of this approach is China's investment in global infrastructure, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, which has played a pivotal role in supporting the development of the Global South.

Over the past 25 years, Chinese companies have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, roughly 1,000 bridges, almost 100 ports and 66,000 km of power transmission and distribution lines.

China has also taken significant steps to empower the least developed countries through win-win trade.

China's vast consumer base and commitment to openness make it a key driver of global economic growth. Rather than seeking unilateral gains, China has been sharing its development dividends with other countries, especially developing ones, and giving them access to its immense market.

Take the China International Import Expo (CIIE), a trailblazing initiative launched in 2018 to transform China's market scale into shared opportunities for the world.

This photo taken with a tilt-shift lens on Nov. 10, 2024 shows a view of the National Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Since its inception, the CIIE has offered countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America access to China's high-demand sectors. Rwandan coffee growers and Chilean lithium producers, among others, have all seen exponential growth in Chinese market shares, spurring local economies and creating jobs.

With its robust economic growth and the rise of a consumer-driven economy, China offers new opportunities to expand trade with other countries, said Stephen Ndegwa, a Kenyan expert on China-Africa relations.

This dynamic exchange is set to strengthen further, serving as a model for future regional cooperation, he said.

By lowering trade barriers and expanding import quotas, China has empowered developing nations to integrate into global value chains on fairer terms. Since Dec. 1, 2024, China has granted all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of their product categories, becoming the first major developing country and leading economy to adopt such a policy.

STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO PEACE

As a responsible major country, China has translated its pledge of peaceful development into concrete actions.

For more than 30 years, China has deployed over 50,000 peacekeepers to nearly 30 missions, making it the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Chinese "blue helmets" have safeguarded civilians, neutralized explosives and helped rebuild infrastructure in conflict zones from South Sudan to Lebanon.