Since the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration, which emphasized 'America First', the United States has taken a step back from international organizations and agreements, allowing China to seize this opportunity to expand its influence in the international community. It is investing massive funds, establishing itself as the largest contributor to international organizations, and attempting to shape public opinion in its favor.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 21st (local time), Liu Guozhong, Deputy Prime Minister of the China State Council, announced in a video speech during the World Health Assembly (WHA), the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO), that China will provide an additional $500 million (approximately 687.9 billion won). Liu noted, "In a situation where unilateralism and power politics threaten global health security, the only way to overcome this is through multilateralism," emphasizing that China is fulfilling that role.
China's moves are in stark contrast to those of the United States. After President Trump took office in January, he signed an executive order to withdraw from the WHO, claiming that the U.S. was unjustly paying vast sums of money, and has since halted payments for dues from last year and this year, moving through the official withdrawal process. In contrast, while the U.S. has declared its withdrawal, China has promised additional support and has emerged as the largest donor and most influential member of the WHO.
WP evaluates that "the commitment of $500 million promised by Deputy Prime Minister Liu, which he stated will be provided over the next five years, is one of the clearest examples of China's efforts to fill the global leadership vacuum triggered by President Trump's pursuit of 'America First' foreign policy." Professor Zhou Minghao of Fudan University's International Relations Department also analyzed that "the Trump administration's attacks and disdain for international governance have provided new opportunities for China's diplomacy."
China's encroachment into America's vacuum does not stop at the WHO. China is already dispatching the largest number of troops among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to the United Nations peacekeeping forces. Last week, Wei Fenghe, China's Minister of National Defense, visited Europe and stated that China would make greater contributions to peacekeeping activities. While the U.S. has decided to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, China emphasizes the importance of the agreement and supports the transition to renewable energy in Southeast Asian nations such as the Philippines.
It is interpreted that China's efforts to expand its influence in international organizations are aimed at reshaping international norms to suit its preferences. China is using its influence to strengthen its claims over Taiwan. For this reason, Taiwan has been prohibited from attending the WHO General Assembly for the past nine years due to pressure from China. On the 19th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China reiterated in a statement that "Taiwan has no basis, reason, or right to participate in the WHA without the approval of the central government."
Chien Hsiu-Shiu, a public health professor at National Taiwan University, stated, "China has long used health diplomacy to obstruct Taiwan's participation in the international community," adding that "China has managed to promote its agenda by building friendly relations with various countries in organizations and events in which the U.S. is not involved, making it even harder for Taiwan to lobby internationally."
There are also analyses suggesting that expanding influence in international organizations could help China shed the stigma of being the 'origin of COVID-19.' WP explained that "unlike the U.S., China's expanded participation in the WHO could contribute to shielding it from longstanding criticisms by the U.S. regarding its response related to Wuhan, the initial outbreak location of the COVID-19 pandemic."
China's public relations campaign has already begun. According to the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency, a spokesperson for the Chinese delegation in Geneva stated, "It is surprising for countries like the U.S., which has declared withdrawal from the WHO, to attack other countries that are increasing investments in the WHO."