China and the West face similar challenges – widening income disparities, powerful Big Tech firms, deepening societal divide. The difference is that China is tackling them head-on as it transforms into a modern socialist economy.
China has much to celebrate, but also much work to do if it is to solidify its own development model as a viable alternative to Western-style liberal democracy. To avoid calamity, Western leaders must also be receptive to China’s efforts.
Realising that the conflict with the US goes beyond business concerns and that Trump might reverse course on political or economic grounds, China has adopted a wait-and-see approach. Meanwhile, it is courting other allies.
The Western media have portrayed Xi’s extension of power in a negative light even though there are checks on his power, and China today is very different from during the Cultural Revolution.
