- One of how China is exporting authoritarian governance is by offering training programs targeted at government officials from the Global South.
- These programs instil authoritarianism and are used by the Chinese intelligence in the respective countries.
- China’s approach to training programs is one of its front lines in exporting its governance model, especially in the Global South.
Since the late 2010s, China has actively propagated an anti-democratic modernity model that centralizes economic growth over liberty and democracy, especially in the Global South. The CCP’s success in managing the Chinese economy has driven Beijing to promote authoritarianism as a legitimate form of governance even in foreign countries. As indicated earlier, this shift of narrative has major consequences for the democratisation and governance processes in the Southern nations. Leading this strategy is Chinese government training programs that target foreign officials which is a way through which China seeks to spread its governance systems and values globally.
Training Future Despots
One of how China is exporting authoritarian governance is by offering training programs targeted at government officials from the Global South. These programs, initiated by different ministries and Party departments of China, focus on presenting China’s governance model as an option for developing countries to emulate as they seek to develop at a fast pace but do not wish to be ‘Westernised’. These programs are implemented through the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), although their formats have changed over the years.
These trainings were first carried out in 1981 as foreign assistance programs under the UNDP and changed to China’s undertakings by 1998. Gradually, the emphasis has changed from literacy and humanitarian programs, on the one hand, to the direct spread of authoritarian values inherently associated with the advancement of economic growth on the other. The authoritarian principles wrapped up in the economic achievements of the country and the government.
An earlier investigation of the Chinese government files demonstrates that such training programs are widespread across the Global South. It contains almost all fields of study such as police work, media, computers, and others. It is also rather ironic that even unrelated fields such as beekeeping or meteorology are presented within the context of CCP ideology and governance.
The training sessions can include an initial briefing on the CCP and its part in China’s accomplishments in linking authoritarian decision-making to various technical disciplines. Although each of these programs may be different, they are all geared towards advancing topographical interpretations that are favourable to China’s model of governance which is based on authoritarianism and the supremacy of the party.
Building an Extended Sphere of Influence Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
However, China has kept these programs going and has even shifted to online mode for participants in the Global South due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Furthermore, these programs not only instil authoritarianism but are also used by the Chinese intelligence in the respective countries.
These reports that participants are to produce give important information on the state of affairs in their countries and possibly opportunities for engagement with China. This helps Beijing gauge future cooperation potential and identify compliant personnel in partner countries.
Mapping China’s Governance Practices
Most of these training programmes are grouped into various categories depending on the themes identified, from classic authoritarianism to seeming total anarchism. However, even items that may appear to have no political connection are pertinent to China’s narrative of authoritarian success.
About a third of the programs are in the fields of infrastructure, resources, and security, making China’s engagement in the Global South diverse. It is not just economic but also a strategic agenda, that seeks to influence governance decisions following the Chinese model.
Chinese Engagement with the Economies of the Global South
China’s intervention in the Global South is not limited to the education sector through training programs.
- Pakistan: China has been one of the important friends of Pakistan facing the latter’s economic assistance and infrastructural development projects, including the CPEC, to boost connectivity and economic growth.
- Sri Lanka: Chinese investments in Sri Lanka and its infrastructure like ports have been under the spotlight due to issues arising from debt and sovereignty.
- Kenya: China has invested in Kenya’s infrastructure including the STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY (SGR) though there are issues regarding debt levels.
- Venezuela: China has agreed to grant some financial support to Venezuela and has cooperated with Venezuela in the oil business even though the economic challenges in Venezuela have influenced this relationship.
- Cambodia: China has brought investment in infrastructure and development but that has raised the issues of human rights and governance in Cambodia.
- Ethiopia: China has acted as a benefactor of Ethiopia’s infrastructure improvement, but issues associated with debt and governance persist.
Debt Trap Debate
| Debt Trap Narrative | Counter-Narrative |
|---|---|
| Some people believe that through lending it creates enormous infrastructure projects, and China deliberately burdens developing nations with debt. | China and its host countries do not appreciate this description. |
| The concern now is that, as these countries fail to repay their debts, China manages to take over major assets in infrastructure. | They say that since the Chinese are willing to fund infrastructure projects, this is a godsend for countries unable to finance these projects. |
| An outstanding example of such a strategy is the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, which China started to lease after the country could not repay its debts. | China’s conditions do not include policy reforms or monetary stringency and because of this it is known as a ‘Financier of first resort’. |
Complex Reality
As noted, China’s development finance is motivated by commercial considerations, although managing credit risks among state firms may have geostrategic consequences. It fails to complement the Western discursive construction of a ‘Debt trap’ as well and does not fit the Chinese narrative of a ‘development partner’.
Therefore, China’s approach to training programs is one of its front lines in exporting its governance model, especially in the Global South. The awareness and containment of such campaigns are important, especially to promote democracy and maintain the status quo in the international system. Despite the gains in generating employment opportunities and improving its economy, the Chinese credit has negative effects on the sustainability of debts, governance, and sovereignty.
Aayush Pal 
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra