China is increasingly asserting its influence on the global stage, engaging in both economic partnerships and law enforcement efforts while facing scrutiny over human rights issues.
China executed 11 individuals in connection with Myanmar criminal gangs involved in scam operations, according to state media reports on Thursday. These gangs operated scam compounds in Myanmar's lawless borderlands, part of a multibillion-dollar illicit industry. Beijing has increased cooperation with Southeast Asian nations to crack down on these operations.
Meanwhile, Venezuela is looking to China for economic inspiration. Delcy Rodríguez, a successor to President Maduro, is promoting an era of reform and opening up, modeled on China's post-Mao boom, according to The Guardian. This comes after years of political and social upheaval in Venezuela.
However, China's human rights record remains under scrutiny. Guan Heng, a Chinese man who filmed evidence of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, was granted asylum in the United States. Heng's lawyer stated that his exposed evidence of persecution of Uyghurs makes him a "textbook example of why asylum should exist." The evidence documented secret detention facilities holding Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region.
China has also cautioned against U.S. "military adventurism" in the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. Al Jazeera reported that China told the UN Security Council that such actions would push the region into chaos, as then-President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Iran if it did not submit to his demands. This occurred on January 29, 2026.
Amidst these developments, the global economic order is facing strain, according to Al Jazeera. With the United States pursuing an "America First" agenda, its partners are reportedly edging towards China, and new alliances are forming. Many warn that the global order is starting to unravel. The established system, built on democracy, open markets, and cooperation with the U.S. at the helm, is being tested by rising conflicts, escalating trade tensions, and shifting alliances. China is presenting itself as a stable partner in this changing landscape.
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