China's Growing Influence

China is making efforts to bring together its Asian neighbors as it seeks “to extend its influence in the region in a bid seen as a challenge to the previous dominance of the United States” (Deutsche Welle, March 28, 2015). At a recent Asian forum, China led the creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)—an Asian alternative to the U.S.-led World Bank. Forty-four nations have applied to be founding members of this $50 billion financial effort (Big News Network, March 31, 2015), including South Korea and many European nations (Deutsche Welle, March 28, 2015). Setting the tone for the meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping “opened a regional economic forum by calling for more cooperation among Asian nations. He urged Asia to build ‘a community of common destiny’” (ibid.). 

Although there is considerable unrest among Southeast Asian nations over North Korea and issues in the South China Sea, the initial success of the AIIB project shows there is worldwide interest in moving away from the U.S.-dominated financial system. The increasing efforts to bring together Asian nations also fits with ancient Bible prophecies that an end-time confederacy of Asian nations—“kings from the east”—will eventually move toward the Middle East with a large army (Daniel 11:44-45; Revelation 9:13-17;16:12). This type of military might is only possible with the inclusion of China and likely Russia. It is sobering to watch world events moving in the direction of fulfilling these ancient prophecies.

For more information on China’s future, read “Is This China’s Century?”