China–US competition, reverse globalization, and the regression of world politics

Abstract Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict and the Israel–Hamas conflict, the risk of disorder in the international order is steadily increasing, characterized by a rising trend of reverse globalization and populism. Great power competition significantly shapes the current international landscape, with the US perceiving China as a long-term threat and actively working to limit its rise. The competition between China and the US is anticipated to continue for a long time to come. Globalization and the digital economy have exacerbated polarization, and, combined with the extreme tendencies of liberalism, this has led to the rise of populist ideologies. Populism prioritizes the maintenance of “economic security” as one of the starting points for formulating foreign strategies, adopting “deglobalization” policies that reduce international economic cooperation, resulting in a trend of reverse globalization. The international order is likely to become more turbulent in the future, and world politics may regress. Maintaining an optimistic outlook on the development of China–US relations is increasingly challenging. Amid the trends of reverse globalization and the rise of populism, Chinese diplomacy should focus on reducing security and economic risks.