Opinion   Brazilian scholar: China must embrace world despite geopolitical risks

Marcus Vinicius De Freitas

Visiting Professor of China Foreign Affairs University, Senior Fellow of Policy Center for the New South

As the 21st century unfolds, few phenomena have drawn as much attention as China's transformation from a developing nation into a global economic powerhouse. Much has been said about the role of Chinese government policy, infrastructure investments and long-term planning in driving this remarkable ascent. However, a crucial piece of the puzzle remains under-explored: the globalization of Chinese companies.

China has long been known as the "world's factory," a label that aptly captures the country's immense manufacturing capacity. Nonetheless, mere production is no longer sufficient in today's dynamic global environment. The future of China's economic relevance depends not only on its domestic prowess but also on the ability of its companies to expand, integrate, and thrive on the global stage.

Confucius wisely said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." For Chinese companies, that step has already been taken. Now, the challenge is sustaining the journey. As Chinese companies increasingly look abroad for opportunities, they must navigate a world of promise and peril. Understanding the contours of this new landscape - and preparing for its realities - is not simply advisable, it is imperative.

A large number of commercial vehicles are assembled at the Yantai Port Automobile Terminal in Yantai, Shandong Province, ready to be loaded onto ships for the sea on March 30, 2025. Photo by CFP

The motivation for Chinese companies to internationalize is rooted in economic logic. While China's domestic market is huge, but it is maturing. Competition is intensifying, and margins are becoming increasingly narrow. Companies need to look outwards for new customers, resources, and frontiers to achieve sustainable sustained growth.

Alibaba, for instance, has expanded its e-commerce "empire" beyond China's borders; Huawei remains a global leader in telecommunications despite facing geopolitical headwinds; and BYD has grown from a local battery manufacturer into a prominent player in the global electric vehicle market. With their strategic foresight, these companies demonstrate what can be accomplished when ambition is combined with a clear vision of the future.

Internationalization provides access to new markets, allowing companies to diversify revenue streams and reduce dependence on domestic consumption. In an era of volatile supply chains and shifting geopolitical alignments, diversification becomes a key avenue for growth and a crucial mechanism for resilience. Moreover, global exposure drives innovation. Global exposure also drives innovation. International competition forces companies to improve the quality of their offerings, refine their operating models and adapt quickly to evolving standards.

Deng Xiaoping famously said "It doesn't matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." This pragmatism is essential: effectiveness and success on the global stage are what matter. Chinese companies that venture abroad sharpen their competitive edge while learning from international best practices.

In addition to market access and innovation, global expansion enables strategic acquisitions of resources, talent, and technology. From lithium reserves in Latin America to cutting-edge financial ecosystems in Europe, opportunities abound for companies bold enough to take the lead.

Emerging markets offer particularly compelling opportunities. Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are experiencing rapid urbanization, population growth and increasing demand for infrastructure, telecommunications, and consumer goods. These regions are hungry for investment and eager to learn from China's development experience. By expanding globally, Chinese companies can contribute to the development of these regions, promoting economic growth and mutual understanding. This not only benefits the regions, but also the global economy by promoting a more balanced and interconnected economic landscape.

Simultaneously, the Fourth Industrial Revolution - marked by breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, green energy and biotechnology - demands a forward-looking approach. Chinese companies are strong competitors in e-commerce, electric mobility, and clean technology. To secure leadership positions in these sectors, collaboration with foreign partners and integration into global innovation networks will be indispensable.

One cannot overlook the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative in this equation. What began as a geopolitical vision has become a pragmatic business framework. It offers Chinese companies a roadmap for investment and expansion, particularly in regions with significant infrastructure needs. The Belt and Road Initiative facilitates China's global economic expansion and promotes international cooperation and development, in line with China's broader financial strategy.

Geopolitical risk has become even more pronounced in recent years. With China's rising economic influence has brought increased scrutiny, particularly from the United States and its allies. Donald Trump's return to the White House brings increased pressure on Chinese companies. His current administration is actively seeking to curb China's economic advancement, and more aggressive strategies will be implemented.

We can expect to see a broadening of efforts to choke China's technological and commercial expansion. Among the most insidious of these is perhaps the weaponization of oil. Trump has historically aligned American foreign policy with energy diplomacy, and we should expect attempts to manipulate oil supply and prices as a tool to undermine China's industrial momentum. Energy markets, which are already volatile, could become a front in a new form of economic warfare that requires not just foresight but strategic foresight from Chinese companies that rely on external energy inputs. This strategic foresight is not just a luxury but a necessity in the face of such geopolitical risks.

(Photo by CFP)

This confrontation comes at a time when the ideological underpinnings of the liberal economic order are being quietly re-examined. Many nations, particularly in the Global South, are coming to realize that liberalism, long promoted as a universal doctrine, is often applied selectively. Global rules are designed to preserve the dominance of a few while limiting the rise of new players.

Faced with this emerging reality, China is responding with engagement, offering relief, investments and partnership. Many countries are looking for alternatives: new sources of capital, infrastructure, and technological expertise. Chinese companies are uniquely placed to provide these, but they must do so with strategic patience. In doing so, they will contribute to global development and solidify China's position as a responsible and engaged global stakeholder, ensuring its long-term success.

Equally important is the investment in soft power. One potent tool is bicultural media production. Joint film, television, and digital storytelling ventures can build bridges of empathy and shared values. India's successful soft power outreach to Brazil, through a television soap opera that intertwined Indian and Brazilian narratives, offers an instructive precedent. Chinese companies should support similar projects, humanizing China and creating cultural intimacy that facilitates economic collaboration.

In parallel, China must focus on cultivating long-term corporate legitimacy in the eyes of global citizens. This involves public diplomacy and company-level transparency, as well as engagement with local civil society and demonstrating corporate citizenship, particularly in areas such as job creation, environmental protection, and technology transfer.

BRICS will be instrumental for China and global governance. The bloc has matured beyond symbolic coordination and now holds the potential to become a platform for structural change in the global economy. If member countries commit to deepening capital flows, harmonizing trade regulations and developing multilateral financial institutions, BRICS can begin to shift the global economic centre of gravity. The New Development Bank, for instance, must evolve from a development lender into a driver of strategic innovation, supporting joint ventures between member states and providing liquidity in times of market stress.

These shifts create new avenues for growth and resilience for Chinese companies. Expanding cross-border investment not only builds influence but also secures allies. In a world marked by economic fragmentation, bilateral and multilateral investment commitments are more important than trade figures alone.

However, to capitalize on these opportunities, Chinese companies need to take a long-term view. Patience, often undervalued in the modern corporate landscape, is essential for those seeking to build truly global brands. Markets will fluctuate, regulatory climates will change, and political winds will shift unpredictably. Success belongs to those who remain grounded in their purpose, adaptable in their methods, and strategic in their timing.

This is not a time for complacency. Success abroad will require meticulous preparation and a coherent narrative. Confucius once said, "Success lies in previous preparations and there will be failure without previous preparations." Chinese companies must articulate their value proposition, not just in terms of returns but also in terms of impact - how they improve livelihoods, empower communities, and drive sustainable development.

The world is watching. Chinese companies going global will be met with both curiosity and caution. This moment requires courage, adaptability, and cultural intelligence. But if Chinese companies rise to the occasion, they will not only thrive abroad - they will help build a new global economy marked by inclusion, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

Deng Xiaoping once declared, "To get rich is glorious." It is time for Chinese companies to promote a new motto: To get rich with partners is even more glorious!

来源：中国青年报客户端