One year into his third term as Chinese leader, Xi Jinping is escalating China's push to challenge America's global leadership and reshape the international system. Last month, Xi, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, emphasized China's role in navigating the challenges of the 21st century. This display of China's ambitions took place at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, where Xi pledged relentless efforts to achieve modernization and build a shared future for mankind.

Xi's vision, though vague, encapsulates the Chinese Communist Party's desire to rebalance an international system perceived as biased towards the United States and its allies. To win support globally, Beijing has been promoting its alternative model through policy documents, diplomatic meetings, and international gatherings. However, concerns have been raised that China's rise could normalize practices such as heavy surveillance, censorship, and political repression.

China's assertion comes at a time when questions about US global leadership have intensified due to conflicts overseas, inconsistent foreign policy, and deep political polarization. Issues like climate change, Russia's war in Ukraine, and Israel's actions in Gaza have also prompted debates about the effectiveness of the Western approach. Developing countries, seeking greater influence in the international system, have strengthened economic ties with China during Xi's tenure.

A policy document released by Beijing in September outlined China's vision for global governance, highlighting the harms caused by some countries' hegemonic and aggressive actions. Under Xi's concept of a "global community of shared future," economic development, stability, and equality are prioritized. China aims to move away from bloc politics, ideological competition, and military alliances, challenging the notion of "universal values" defined by Western countries.

Xi has presented three new global initiatives over the past two years, focusing on development, security, and civilization. While short on details, these initiatives convey a clear message that the current US-led international system no longer serves the needs of the present era. By reshaping the post-World War II order, China aims to establish a new framework that accommodates its rise and challenges the Western democracies' dominance.

However, China's assertiveness and repression have drawn scrutiny from the US and its allies. Accusations of human rights violations in Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, among others, have strained relations. Xi has responded by highlighting China's own perception of shared human values, arguing against the imposition of Western values on others. This reflects Beijing's growing confidence in its governance model and its belief that it has played a positive role in global economic growth and poverty reduction.

The ongoing tensions between the US and China, coupled with Xi's efforts to amplify his message, have raised the stakes in the US-China rivalry. While some countries remain skeptical of China's proposed world order, others are receptive. The evolving global landscape and the search for a system that gives developing nations a greater say create an opportune moment for China to assert its vision for global leadership.

As Xi maneuvers to reshape the international system, the future of global governance hangs in the balance. The rise of China and the challenges to US global leadership have set the stage for a geopolitical struggle that will shape the world order in the years to come. Only time will tell how many nations are willing to embrace a world influenced by China's vision and how this rivalry will further unfold.