2023 marks the significance of Belt & Road Initiative for China, while the current Chinese leader Xi Jin Ping continues to polish Chinese economic agenda. There is no doubt that Xi is hungry for something much bigger, which could enhance his political agenda through the economic elevation. Meanwhile, nations in the global south are rather worried about the further collaboration with China. Is China playing by the rules? How should we understand the mutual interests in Africa nations from both China and the US? Is China truly replacing the role of the US today?

Dr. Dawn Murphy, Associate Professor of National Security Strategy at the US National War College, specializes in Chinese foreign policy and domestic politics, US-China relations, and international relations. Her research analyzes China’s interests and behavior as a rising global power towards the existing international order. Her latest book is called "China’s Rise in the Global South: The Middle East, Africa, and Beijing’s Alternative World Order."