Re-Globalisation: When China Meets the World Again

Abstract

When China Meets the World Again, which explores China's pivotal role in reshaping the global order in the post-Cold War era. The book defines "reglobalisation" as a renewed phase of globalisation led by emerging economies, particularly China. It traces China’s historical engagement with globalisation and outlines its evolving motivations and philosophies, particularly through Confucian values. The book critically categorizes earlier forms of globalisation and presents three major case studies: the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Alibaba’s digital innovation. These case studies demonstrate China’s strategic efforts to create a more inclusive and balanced global development model. However, while the book offers a comprehensive and optimistic view of China’s leadership in reglobalisation, it largely overlooks current global challenges such as deglobalisation, rising protectionism, US-China tensions, and geopolitical fragmentation, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Thus, the book provides a valuable but one-sided perspective on China’s influence in the global system.