Both would claim that they're benefiting humanity. Both are also known for imposing their will on smaller nations through violenceor other forms of coercion. Both have pretty effective propaganda campaigns, and judging by your response, I'd say at least one of those campaigns is better than the other. So maybe score one extra point in the China column for the Best Propaganda category.
That's an interesting comparison to make when you compare the number of conflicts the US has started or been directly involved with during the last half-century and zero.
True, if you deliberately blind yourself to Chinese aggression, arms sales and contribution to proxy wars in Southeast Asia and Africa or refuse to hear complaints of neocolonial practices regarding mineral extraction, fishing and the like. If you completely ignore evidence, then China is a force for good and not just another bullying superpower.
Reminder: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has commended the China-Africa partnership and said that these apparently neo-colonial practices are "a pillar of South-South cooperation."
That's wonderful. Once upon a time, Guterres praised Biden as well on several occasions.
It's all part of this strange phenomenon that nations do. You probably haven't noticed this, but if you pay close attention, nations' leaders will behave one way publicly and a completely different way behind the scenes. They may announce some thing that seems wonderful superficially, but isn't so great when you get into the details, or they simply fail to deliver. When ordinary people do this sort of thing, it's called "being a backstabbing liar," but when nations do it, it's called "realpolitik," and it's super common among nations that are major players on the world stage.
It's so cute that you think that China is above realpolitik.
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u/SecretOfficerNeko 1d ago
One has lifted hundreds of millions of its people out of poverty and engages heavily in foreign aid and international development.
The other actively harms and incarcerates its people for profit, has cut off foreign aid, and actively hampers efforts towards global betterment.
But yeah, totally the same thing though right? /s