Xi Jinping declares dawn of 'Chinese century' as US influence wanes

Kamran Khan says the “Chinese century” is underway, with Beijing asserting itself as the new global power at a time when the United States and its Western allies appear divided.

In his latest vlog, Khan argued that the balance of power is shifting. He pointed to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s leadership on global politics and the economy, contrasting it with the faltering cohesion of the Western alliance.

Xi’s emergence, Khan said, represents not a coming rise but a present reality. “China is not becoming a superpower—it already is,” Khan noted, referencing Forbes magazine’s ranking of Xi as the world’s most powerful leader ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi’s consolidation of power

Xi holds the rare combination of titles as president of China, general secretary of the Communist Party, and commander-in-chief of the People’s Liberation Army. According to Khan, this concentration of authority rivals that of Mao Zedong, China’s founding father.

Through strong control of domestic politics and economic growth, Xi has secured influence without direct confrontation. Khan likened his strategy to the ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu’s dictum that the greatest victory is achieved without fighting.

SCO summit and military parade

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which convened nuclear powers China, Russia, India, and Pakistan along with 20 other Eurasian nations, Xi promoted a multipolar world free from U.S. dominance.

During speeches, Xi criticized “bullying practices,” a veiled reference to Washington’s unilateral tariffs and sanctions. He urged joint development and partnerships instead of imposing domestic systems on others.

Khan said Xi’s remarks reinforced Beijing’s confidence. His body language at the summit—smiling and engaging in contrast to his usual seriousness—symbolized China’s growing self-assurance in shaping the global order.

On Sept. 3, Xi will preside over a massive military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end. World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are expected to attend.

The event will showcase China’s defense capabilities and highlight its narrative that China and the Soviet Union were decisive victors in the war, a stance echoed by Putin.

Diplomatic outreach

Khan said Xi has achieved what once seemed improbable: drawing India closer to Beijing despite its traditional alignment with Washington. Facing U.S. tariffs, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is re-engaging with China.

In meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Xi urged Modi to see China as a partner rather than an adversary. “The dance of the dragon and the elephant must become reality,” Xi said, while Modi signaled agreement.

This rapprochement, however, has raised questions within India, where opposition parties are asking whether closer ties with Beijing implicitly validate China’s support for Pakistan.

Beyond India, Xi has rehabilitated Russia’s global standing after its diplomatic isolation following the Ukraine war. He also brokered the 2023 rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, underscoring China’s role as a peacemaker in the Middle East.

Economic power projection

At the heart of Xi’s foreign policy is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), connecting more than 60 countries through infrastructure and energy projects. By December 2024, investment in BRI projects had reached $1.175 trillion.

Khan said Xi’s “Chinese Dream” aims to make China the leading global superpower, contrasting sharply with Trump’s “America First” policy. China’s strategy emphasizes non-interference and joint development, appealing to nations weary of Western conditionality.

A multipolar future

Western institutions, including the Brookings Institution, now describe Xi as surrounded not by adversaries but by “followers.” Khan said this reflects how Beijing is building a coalition of willing partners across Asia, Africa, and beyond.

The United States, meanwhile, appears increasingly isolated as its allies question Trump’s consistency and policy direction.

Khan concluded that the rise of the “Chinese century” is not the result of a sudden event but a daily accumulation of economic strength, diplomatic maneuvering, and historical reframing. Xi, he argued, is capitalizing on America’s missteps while presenting China as the alternative leader of the global order.

“China’s ascent is a slow rewrite of history,” Khan said. “The world is not just accepting it but embracing it.”