Muji, Benedictus Halleyando and Windiani, Reni (2026) Veiled Hegemony: China’s Influence in BRICS through the Belt and Road. Undergraduate thesis, UNIVERSITAS DIPONEGORO FAKULTAS ILMU SOSIAL DAN ILMU POLITIK.

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Abstract

This article analyzes how China strategically uses the BRICS as a tool to launch the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI) and strengthen its influence in global governance. The target of this
study is to explain how China became the dominant (hegemonic) leader in this group through
the institutional mechanisms. Using Antonio Gramsci’s theory of Hegemony, this study
observes that China’s power stems not only from the material strength but also from an
ideological perspective, on how they lead the ideas or the concepts. This study uses
qualitative methods based on document analysis such as official reports, summit declaration,
and relevant literature. This study shows the existence of three interrelated mechanisms. First,
China spreads the narrative that the world shouldn’t be dominated by a single country and
that cooperation among developing countries is necessary. Second, China advances its agenda
through the BRICS financial institution, the New Development Bank. Through this bank,
many projects aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative’s connectivity goals are funded.
Third, China’s economic dominance has made other BRICS countries structurally dependent,
such as due to trade imbalances, infrastructure financing from BRI projects, and external
debts to Chinese lenders. Consequently, if any countries challenged the Chinese-backed
policies, they could face significant economic risks. This study also concludes that this
institutional cooperation doesn’t eliminate hegemony in the global system but only changes
its form
Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative; BRICS; China Hegemony; Gramsci Theory; Institution
Domination; Global Governance; Development Finance; Soft Power
29 Hubungan Internasional 2026

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