The path of China’s peaceful development and its implications for international law in a shifting international landscape

Against the backdrop of a changing international landscape, a shift in the global balance of power is emerging, characterized by “the East rising and the West declining”. The increasing international influence of developing countries, such as China, is challenging the traditional international order and colling for its transformation. Developing nations are becoming more active on the global stage striving to establish a fair and equitable international legal order. Given the frequent occurrence of regional conflicts and the complexity and instability of the global situation, the path chosen by developing countries to promote the development of international law is of particular significance, underscoring the relevance of this research. The aim of this work is to emphasize that China’s modernization path fundamentally differs from the traditional Western model, with its core principle being the “pursuit of peaceful development”. This approach stands in stark contrast to the hegemonic logic of the West, which has historically relied on colonial expansion and violent plunder through war, and serves as an important model for developing countries. Methodologically, the study employs a combination of general and specialized scientific methods, particularly historical and comparative approaches. The findings conclude that effective ways to promote the development of international law through peaceful development include increasing the provision of international public goods, strengthening national soft and hard power, stabilizing existing multilateral frameworks, and implementing other measures to advance international law and build momentum for transforming the international order.