How China Is Winning Friends and Influencing People

Foreign Affairs  |  Lizzi C. Lee, Eric Olander

Chinese private enterprises are rapidly expanding their commercial footprint in Vietnam, significantly enhancing Beijing's soft power and influence across the developing world. This corporate expansion integrates Chinese consumer technology, electric vehicles, and digital platforms directly into the daily lives of local populations, establishing a subtle but durable foundation for geopolitical alignment.

These market dynamics are driven by commercial firms seeking growth outside saturated domestic arenas rather than direct state mandates from Beijing. In Hanoi, commuters rely on Chinese-made Yadea scooters, while teenagers use Tencent-backed Zalo and shop via the Alibaba-run Lazada platform. This pervasive commercial presence successfully fosters positive grassroots perceptions of China without requiring overt diplomatic interventions. Consequently, Western policymakers face a highly decentralized challenge that traditional statecraft cannot easily counter. This market-driven integration ultimately secures long-term strategic access for Beijing by aligning local economic interests with Chinese technological ecosystems and consumer standards.

Comment

Beijing utilises commercial expansion to secure geopolitical alignment in the developing world. This economic integration creates deep technological dependencies. Western security partners cannot easily counter these consumer-driven market dynamics. Regional states face growing pressure to accommodate Chinese security preferences.

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