The West made an assumption that China would always cooperate within the international system, similar to Germany's assumption that Russia would always pursue profitable commerce—both assumptions reflected faith in the self-reinforcing nature of the rules-based order.
factualpending
Evidence Quote
“the west assumed the Chinese would always cooperate and the same assumption applies to uh German assumptions about buying gas from Russians was like hey they're making lots of money why on earth...if you just join the party we'll welcome you in, you will make money. Your alternatives to this, no one's come up with a better one.”
Source
Sarah C.M. Paine: What Is China's Grand Strategy?— Decoding Geopolitics Podcast with Dominik PreslCreated: 8/11/2026, 6:21:25 AM
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