In his New Year’s Eve speech, Chinese president Xi Jinping addressed two issues the non-Chinese world finds concerning—the rise of Chinese nationalism and the Chinese concept of a new world order. In line with his three global initiatives (development, security, civilization), President Xi connected the two issues and demonstrated the ways in which the “Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation” is a crucial part of China’s effort to reshape the global order.

President Xi often focuses on particular issues in his speeches, depending on context and timing. In this brief speech, he ranges far and wide. He connects China’s technological developments (“quality productive forces”) to its unlimited geographical reach—from the moon to the Arctic through the deepest ocean. He then goes on to describe in detail his journeys throughout China (and not the world), describing China as a “complete package”—history, values, aesthetics, and an internal coherence that is unrivaled. Of course, he then describes what is still missing—Taiwan—and commits to reunification as a “trend of the times.”

“Triumph” is a major value for Xi, extending from sports to natural disasters. Xi’s China aspires to excellence (as demonstrated at the Paris Olympics). It is resilient in the face of adversity. Chinese from all walks of life contribute to the nation’s triumphant approach, from athletes to soldiers and ultimately to the leadership, always on hand to assist in a crisis. China’s development and the improvement of Chinese lives—improved grain production, raising pensions, cutting mortgages (among others)—are no less important than Olympic medals.

China knows where it wants to go, but it will not arrive there solely on the merit of “being Chinese.” Or rather, being Chinese necessitates a propensity for change and reform alongside inspiration from ancient traditions. According to Xi, China must not only innovate, but it must also pursue continuous reform. This reform, which includes “opening up,” is planned and led by the CPC and is an integral part of China’s “rejuvenation.” Xi explains that China is, simultaneously, a 5000-year-old civilization, a country intent on achieving the best of all possible futures, and a state of mind actively inspiring every Chinese individual.

What is the rationale for Xi’s detailed description of China’s wholeness, linking economics, sport, military, history, diversity, and technology on a timeline that stretches from the ancient past to the limitless future and encompasses the entire world as well as outer space? The answer may be found in a paragraph located in the middle of the speech, seemingly unconnected to the vibrant words about China. In this paragraph, Xi asserts China’s commitment in “a world of both transformation and turbulence” to “actively promoting global governance reform and deepening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South.” In this paragraph, he describes China as a “responsible major country.”

What accounts for this sudden twist, which is immediately followed by more glowing accounts of China’s compliance with its 14th five-year-plan as well as its “centenary dreams”? For Xi, China’s wholeness and coherence are the key elements in its claim to leadership of the new global order it has promoted over the past year “at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, APEC, G20, and other bilateral and multilateral forums.”

President Xi has repeatedly spoken about the Chinese vision for a world order free of “hegemony,” explained as one country’s desire to impose its interests and values on other countries. When President Xi extols “Common Security,” he describes a world in which each country’s security concerns are considered legitimate, and in which each country can address them as long as it does not interfere with any other country’s similar pursuit. When he talks about “development” and “modernity,” he is careful to point out that every country must find its own path towards these goals. There is no single “good life” that fits all. Every country (civilization) must find its own path towards its own combination of history, values, security, and a good life for its people.

The leader of such a global order cannot lead from the “top,” by virtue of having its own set of values or its specific security interests supersede others. In other words, this is not a “winner takes all” world order. The leader of this global order will be the country that most capably harnesses its resources into being the best, most complete version of itself. Dominance is achieved by being consistently capable of increasing a country’s sphere of influence and presence in the global arena. Knowing who you are—past, future, history, values, etc.—is translated into a constantly expanded scope. As a country’s scope constantly expands, so grows its influence and its ability to shape global interactions in its favor.

Power in the Chinese vision of a global order is not achieved by defeating an enemy. Power is achieved by a constant process of self-improvement in all fields and aspects of life. Self-improvement requires a continuous process of evolution. According to this rationale, the most powerful country is the one that is most intent on evolving its sense of identity. Being Chinese, for example, requires a strong awareness of Chinese history and culture alongside a commitment to constant reform and change as circumstances and contexts evolve. Thus, the more “Chinese” China is, the more prepared it is to deal effectively and coherently with “a world of transformation and turbulence.” Victory is defined as maintaining an optimal state of readiness that will, in turn, allow a country to leverage as many opportunities as possible in the pursuit of its own interests.

This leads to the understanding that the better a country is at being itself, the more power it holds in Xi’s new world order. China, according to President Xi’s New Year’s speech, is the most complete country, the country most connected to both its past and its future, the country most connected to its own sovereign space and to the entire world. China thus becomes, by default, the leader of the new global order.