China and the Global South in a Contested World Order : The Changing Dynamics of Policy and Practice in an Era of Polycrisis

China and the Global South in a Contested World Order is a timely and thought-provoking exploration of China’s growing influence across the Global South. From the Belt and Road Initiative to China’s rising power in Africa and Southeast Asia, this book explores China’s vision of a new world order and its unique approach to “true  multilateralism”. Through compelling case studies and fresh insights such as China’s underexplored provincial diplomacy, it reveals the shared challenges, opportunities, competition, cooperation and untapped potential between China and the Global South. The author calls for deeper collaboration between China and the Global South to harness their collective potential in an era of global crises and shifting power dynamics. This book offers essential understanding of how this relationship is shaping the future of global change.

Jing Gu is a Senior Research Fellow at IDS and Director of the Centre for Rising Powers and Global Development in the UK. She also serves as an Adjunct Chair Professor at China Agricultural University. A political economist and policy advisor, she specializes in China’s global engagement, BRICS, and South-South Cooperation. She is the founder of the China Global Development Knowledge Network and has published extensively on emerging powers and global development, offering insights into how emerging powers are reshaping the world order.