The Chinese Way of Reforming Global Economic Governance: An Analysis of China’s Rising Role in the Group of Twenty (G-20)

Since the Global Financial Crisis engulfed much of the world in 2008, the Group of Twenty (G-20) has emerged as the self-acclaimed “premium forum” for international economic cooperation and policy coordination. The ascendency of G-20, of which China is a part, indicates the world’s preference for a more inclusive and informal economic governance model, moving away from the relatively restrictive Group of Seven (G-7) and the legalized Bretton Woods settings. This article analyzes China’s participation and increasingly critical role in the G-20. China’s main priorities in relation to the G-20 evolved over time. The initial focuses on containing financial contagion and reforming Bretton Woods institutions were followed by attempts to resolve bilateral trade issues with the US and to fight the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. China aspires to transform the G-20 from an ad hoc crisis management platform to one promoting proactive long-term global policy cooperation, partly in support of “a community with shared future for humanity” and the Belt and Road Initiative. However, public distrust of international economic interdependence, populist backlash against neoliberal globalization, as well as geopolitical, ideological, technological tussles between China and the West collectively present significant challenges to the G-20.