China says that, but they put countries into enormous debt and then control them. They also build naval bases in many of those countries.
> smaller countries tend to prefer partnering with them
Countries near China's borders have turned strongly against their neighbor. The US has built a widespread network of alliances around that.
All the third-world countries that have had their debts to China blow out of control have been able to renegotiate.
>Countries near China's borders have turned strongly against their neighbor. The US has built a widespread network of alliances around that.
I'm not upholding China as a moral actor. They're as utilitarian as anyone else, but they're honest about it, that's all.
Not every country is the same - that's a line used by bad actors to avoid scrutiny. And they are not honest about it - they say they don't interfere and are not acting for political interests, but they do.
> All the third-world countries that have had their debts to China blow out of control have been able to renegotiate.
I haven't read that but would be interested if you know of something. Also, what did they have to give up?