CHINA’S INFLUENCE AT THE UNITED NATIONS: WORDS AND DEEDS

China is perceived as increasingly influential given the rise its rising weight in the UN’s budget. It is increasing mechanically with Chinese growth as mandatory contributions are calculated based on a complex formula that takes into account population and GDP. From previously providing only a 2 percent mandatory share of the UN’s total budget during the early 2000s, China now contributes more 4 than a 15 percent mandatory share of the UN’s budget, second only to the 22 percent US contribution. 

China aims to position itself as a ‘responsible great power’ by being a reliable contributor, with current and on-time payments, a strategy that benefits from the US concurrently being an increasingly unreliable contributor. Nonetheless, the US remains by far the largest financial contributor to the UN, including through its voluntary contributions, which China provides much less. 

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