China’s growing influence within the United Nations has sparked worries in a Congressional hearing, where senior Trump administration officials and lawmakers cautioned about Beijing’s use of the UN to promote its strategic, military, and technological interests. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized the need for the US to counter China’s expanding presence in key UN agencies and standard-setting bodies. He highlighted the importance of engaging in these institutions to shape global rules and policies.
Waltz pointed out that the battle for influence goes beyond traditional diplomacy and extends to specialized UN agencies that establish international standards in areas such as intellectual property, telecommunications, aviation, and maritime affairs. He underscored the significance of these global standard-setting bodies in shaping rules that impact industries worldwide. For instance, he mentioned the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as crucial agencies where the US is actively involved in setting standards.
During the hearing, Republican lawmakers expressed concerns that China was leveraging financial contributions and peacekeeping operations to expand its geopolitical influence. They raised issues about China’s Belt and Road Initiative’s integration with various UN agencies, alleging that Beijing was using these platforms for debt diplomacy and political leverage in the developing world. In response to these concerns, the US administration has taken steps to address the situation, including demanding transparency in aid funding and halting the use of a trust fund associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative by the UN Secretariat.
Representative Sheri Biggs questioned whether China’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions served broader military objectives. China, being the largest troop contributor among the UN Security Council’s permanent members and the second-largest financial contributor to the UN, raised concerns about its motives. While acknowledging the capabilities Chinese peacekeeping contingents bring to UN operations, there were suspicions about potential dual purposes, including intelligence gathering for the Chinese Communist Party.
Jeffrey Bartos, US Representative for UN Management and Reform, highlighted the need for the US to have a more significant presence in UN leadership positions relative to its financial contributions. He emphasized the positive impact of American leadership within the UN system and stressed the importance of meaningful engagement to drive reforms and modernization efforts. The hearing also reflected bipartisan concerns about updating the UN, with differing opinions on the approach, whether through increased engagement or through funding cuts and institutional reforms.
