Introduction: Understanding China’s Global Journey
China’s ascent on the world stage rests on millennia of cultural depth, political resilience, and expanding ambition. Political scholar David Kelly captures this trajectory in the concept of the “Seven Chinas,” a framework that traces the country’s changing identity—and its growing global role—through seven distinct stages.
1. China as a Self-Sufficient Civilization
In antiquity, China viewed itself as the cultural and political center of the world. The idea of “Tianxia” (“All Under Heaven”) reflected a belief in harmony, order, and moral leadership. This sense of self-sufficiency guided early diplomacy and regional influence—a continuity later noted by Western observers such as Henry Kissinger.
2. China as the Humiliated Nation
The 19th and early 20th centuries delivered a series of defeats—from the Opium Wars to unequal treaties and the loss of Hong Kong. Branded the “Century of Humiliation,” this era left enduring scars and fueled modern Chinese nationalism. President Xi Jinping often invokes the period to justify today’s drive for national rejuvenation.
3. China as Leader of the Developing World
During the Cold War, Beijing formed alliances with newly independent nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. At the 1955 Bandung Conference, China advanced non-alignment, anti-colonialism, and South-South cooperation, positioning itself as a champion of the Global South.
4. China as a Champion of Multilateralism
After the Soviet Union’s collapse, China highlighted the need for shared leadership in a U.S.-dominated world. Through the United Nations, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and regional institutions, Beijing promoted a more inclusive, multipolar order that amplifies developing countries’ voices.
5. China as a Resilient Sovereign
While many communist systems fell, China adopted “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.” Post-1989, it combined tight political control with market-oriented reforms. This hybrid model preserved sovereignty, accelerated growth, and avoided wholesale Western-style liberalization.
6. China as the Last Economic Power Standing
In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, China became a primary engine of world growth. Guided by Deng Xiaoping‘s credo—“To get rich is glorious”—state enterprises, targeted reforms, and massive investment vaulted the country from survival mode to near dominance in trade and manufacturing.
7. China as a Global Steward of the Future
Today, Beijing seeks a leading role in shaping global norms. Initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative and ambitions in sustainability, space exploration, and peace mediation portray China as a responsible stakeholder fostering a “community of shared future for mankind.”
Conclusion: A Nation Reborn Through Time
From ancient self-sufficiency to contemporary global stewardship, China’s seven-stage journey reveals a nation that consistently reinvents itself and broadens its influence. Grasping this evolution is essential for understanding China’s worldview—and for anticipating its impact on 21st-century international relations.
