In the wake of the recent COVID-19 crisis, it has been quite easy to observe that China can exert an impressive influence in multilateral organizations. According to official statistics, a Chinese national can be found at the helm of four out of the 15 agencies that are a part of the United Nations.
These agencies are the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Industrial Organization, and the Telecommunication Organization. The number may not seem to b to impressive at first sight, but this impression may change after a brief comparison.
For example, two French Nationals lead the International Monetary Fund and the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. One national from the UK coordinates the International Labor Organization while the US is responsible for the World Bank Group, the UN Children’s Fund, and the World Food Program.
China Has a Lot of Influence in Multilateral Organizations, as the COVID-19 Crisis Proved It
It is also interesting that China enjoys more leadership role event if its contribution to the agency budgets reaches 8% while the US contributed to 28%. However, while the US does offer generous contributions, China doesn’t demand budgetary rules or severe reforms that may not be convenient for the UN or select member states, a factor that is quite important.
China is also quite willing to use its veto right during UN meetings, even if some issues tend to be sensitive for some states. Twelve Security Council resolutions have been blocked by the country since 1971, with 9 of the actions taking place before 2017.
In recent years China has also started to become more imposing in the face of subjects related to human rights, offering particular interpretations of international rules and protocols. While it may seem that it supports the prime principles of the UN, it is thought by some that the strategy aims to alter the protocols of the agency to gain more benefits in the future.
