Is China is Replacing America's Role by Negotiating Peace with Ukraine?

There is no doubt China is spreading its sphere of influence.  Has Joe Biden created a vacuum by his lead-from-behind leadership style?

Over the last three decades: America’s global influence has stagnated while China’s has rapidly expanded.

Before 2000, China ranked as most influential in only Iran, Myanmar and Sudan. By the 2000s, China's influence surged on the back of it's economy.

Although China’s role at the center of global trade that generates most of its influence, China has also infiltrated universities across the globe via the Confucian institute. The government-run body - which offers language and cultural programmes is a back door way for China to spread propaganda under the guise of teaching, interfere with free speech on campuses and even to spy on students.

America’s shift toward protectionism is making it less competitive with China, says Mathew Burrows, another co-author. “The U.S. has bowed out from big regional trade agreements, and that has basically tilted the balance toward China."

State of play: The U.S. remains the most influential power in some 50 countries versus 34 for China, according to the study, including in nearly all of Latin America and in economic heavyweights like India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Proof China is gaining Influence...

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was promised by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Kuleba that China is ready to make every effort to help end the war through diplomacy.

Ukraine News...

"China has always supported and encouraged all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and welcomes the launch of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine", – a foreign ministry spokesperson said. This was reported by The Xinhua News Agency.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to the negotiations between delegations from Russia and Ukraine held in the Gomel region of Belarus on Monday.

"We have noted that the two sides have agreed to hold a new round of negotiations in the near future", – Wang said.

"China hopes that the two sides will continue the process of dialogue and negotiation and seek a political solution that accommodates reasonable security concerns of both sides, serves common security of Europe and is conducive to lasting peace and stability in Europe", – Wang added.

America's influence is clearly taking a hit taking a hit under Joe Biden.  Just today in the State of The Union speech President Biden made no mention of helping Ukraine negotiate a deal nor give assistance military. 

Will America continue to stay on the sidelines and let China take over the role America held for decades? Will America continued to lead from behind? Only time will tell.