China can show global leadership on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

OVER the past years, China has been gearing up to contest America's global leadership as it attempts to take centre stage in the world, particularly on the economic front.

There is the Belt and Road Initiative, a colossal infrastructure project launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, that would stretch from East Asia to Europe, significantly expanding China's economic and political influence. Its technology sector has grown so rapidly in the last 2 decades, it is widely seen to have challenged the US' long-held dominance. Advancements by companies like Huawei, WeChat, Baidu, Tencent and others have helped fuel the Chinese economy's supercharged growth during the boom years.

Holding the position as the world's second largest economy, China's economic prowess cannot be doubted. However, while many governments want to build better relations with Beijing, deep caution, if not mistrust, persists over its ideological posture and intentions.