Analyse
China’s white papers and diplomatic statements (e.g., 2022 *China’s Global Security Initiative*) consistently reject hegemony and expansionism, aligning with Xi’s speech. However, independent analyses (e.g., from RAND, CSIS) highlight China’s assertive behavior in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as de facto sphere-of-influence tactics. While China avoids *direct* hot wars, its gray-zone warfare (e.g., cyber operations, economic coercion) and Cold War-style ideological competition (e.g., U.S.-China tech decoupling) undermine the absolute denial of such strategies. The claim is *technically true* in a narrow, declaratory sense but *misleading* in practice.
Achtergrond
Xi’s statement at the Boao Forum—a platform for China’s ‘peaceful rise’ narrative—occurred amid escalating U.S.-China tensions (e.g., trade war, Taiwan disputes). China’s 2019 Defense White Paper frames its military growth as ‘defensive,’ yet regional neighbors and Western allies cite aggressive actions (e.g., island-building in the Spratlys, 2020 Ladakh clashes with India). The term ‘hegemony’ is often defined differently by China (focusing on U.S. unilateralism) versus critics (including China’s regional dominance).
Samenvatting verdict
Xi Jinping’s 2021 statement reflects China’s *official* foreign policy rhetoric, but its actions—such as territorial disputes, military buildup, and coercive diplomacy—contradict the claim of *never* seeking expansion or influence.