I'm starting to think China's rise is going to be another arrogance super power that wants "lesser countries" to pay it tribute and it's putting up an act acting like like it's championing the cause of the Global South by acting like it respects sovereignty of others and speaking out against the West's behavior. You see how dumb that sounds? We're not stupid, we know China is looking out for its interests and it's not doing anything for charity but we like the idea that we can look to a power that treats people with respect. We welcome that and we hold admiration. What we don't want is another arrogant power that wants us to pay it tribute because it has guns and a big economy (that the world fuels). Thankfully, most on this forum and indeed in real life don't hold these arrogant views so we'll keep hoping for a peaceful rise and a new order of respect.I'm starting to think the global south doesn't actually want China to win with this attitude. What they really want is China to be just powerful enough so the west has less bargaining power and they can play off each other for maximum benefits. Kinda like what Vietnam is doing when you have two shopkeepers instead of one. Ultimately the status quo still stays but the terms are better. After all if China actually wins, then that mean China can afford to be more assertive for a country of its size and this is a huge no. Its supposed to be like Superman or whatever in a zero-sum game world where a lot of things are mutually exclusive which just isn't happening.
Btw superman can only do these things coz he just happens to be one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Which again comes from his might. If he had the same level of strength when he's next to that rock that makes him lose his powers but spouted the same thing, that would be considered arrogance.
If, however, China gets taken over by a new generation of leaders that aren't humble and feel entitled because they never saw struggle then its going to be in for a hard time. No country is that powerful that it doesn't need the world, if you think power is only about how big you think you are then you'll fuck around and find out. I'll say this again; do not take the goodwill China has built for granted. Nobody will "serve" China strictly because it's powerful. That's delusional.

