This paper discusses the significant impact of the Global South on the reform of the global governance system and the just and equitable development of the international order amid unprecedented global changes in a century. It notes that the collective rise of the Global South is a defining feature of these transformations, yet the contemporary international order suffers from deficits in fairness, justice, and inclusivity, with dominant powers reluctant to relinquish the arrogance and biases of Western-centric perspectives. Academic research has begun exploring the role of the Global South's rise in driving changes to the international order, suggesting it will promote transformation in areas such as international rules, institutions, and power structures. However, existing studies have not deeply analyzed the international status of the Global South, and the enhancement of such status is not solely dependent on material growth. This study introduces the theoretical lens of international status to analyze the motivations, goals, types, and challenges of the Global South's pursuit of role status, emphasizing its importance for international order transformation and the complexities of this path.

I. International Status in the International Community

International status refers to the collective belief in the hierarchical valuation of states within the international community, encompassing positional, membership, and role status. It is the product of intersubjective interactions and exhibits autonomy, relativity, and sociality. Positional status is based on material capabilities, reflecting a state's power in specific domains; membership status relates to participation in international institutions, signifying recognition within the international community; and role status involves behavioral patterns and expectations, with a strong element of subjective agency. The acquisition of international status requires recognition from high-status states, including acknowledgment of special rights, international roles, and strategic partnerships. Major powers play a central role in status recognition, but recognition from smaller states can also create fait accompli, pressuring high-status states. Global South countries face dual challenges of internal and Western recognition in their pursuit of international status, with the core objective of safeguarding national interests.

II. The Rise, Fragmentation, and Policy Orientations of the Global South

The collective rise of Global South countries is reshaping international political dynamics and the global order. This diverse group shares collective aspirations for development, discourse power, and status but is fragmented by divergent national interests and interference from Western powers. The rise of the Global South reflects the growing strength of emerging and developing economies and the southward shift of the global economic center. However, internal heterogeneity leads to varying developmental needs, perceptions of the international order, and self-identity, affecting its cohesion. China, India, and ASEAN, as key members of the Global South, exhibit distinct policy orientations. China advocates the vision of a "community with a shared future for mankind," promoting Global South development through Chinese wisdom and solutions. Under Modi’s leadership, India emphasizes its role as a leader, advancing collective Global South causes. ASEAN selectively endorses Global South identity and agendas, as its member states benefit from North-South connectivity and economic globalization, exhibiting lower dissatisfaction with the current system. The rise of the Global South and its members' differing policy orientations will shape their international engagement and status pursuits, influencing contemporary international order transformation.

III. Motivations and Goals of the Global South's Role Status Pursuit

The Global South seeks role status within the existing international order to alter power disparities with Western states, despite resistance from dominant powers. This pursuit not only fulfills psychological needs for international respect but also creates conditions for enhancing positional and membership status, thereby elevating international standing and achieving national interests. Motivations include: fulfilling psychological needs, advancing foreign policy objectives, embodying social constructivist logic for easier recognition, and accumulating leverage to improve other status dimensions. The Global South’s role status goals center on promoting international fairness and justice, fostering a more liberal, equal, open, and inclusive order. Specific objectives manifest in political, economic, and civilizational spheres: politically, advocating for democratized international relations and peace; economically, championing inclusive globalization and growth; and culturally, emphasizing civilizational dialogue and equality.

IV. Types of Role Status Pursuit by the Global South

Facing resistance in the Western-led liberal international order, Global South countries prioritize role status pursuits, adopting distinct approaches: China seeks to be an "initiative leader," proposing frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative to bolster influence; India aims to be a "group leader," hosting events like the "Voice of the Global South Summit" to assert dominance; ASEAN positions itself as a "cooperation driver," leveraging the "ASEAN Way" to uphold regional integrity and inclusivity. These pursuits demonstrate the Global South’s impact on steering the international order toward greater equity.

V. Challenges in the Global South's Role Status Pursuit

The Global South faces structural constraints from Western powers and internal competition. The "gatekeeping" mechanisms of the liberal order, led by the U.S., restrict status elevation through democratic identity narratives. Western states view role status pursuits through a power lens, using recognition to maintain dominance—e.g., U.S. opposition to the BRI while supporting ASEAN and India. Internal divisions over identity, development models, and interests create complex rivalries, such as China-ASEAN cooperation versus India’s wariness of China’s initiatives, heightening fragmentation risks.

VI. Concluding Remarks

International status theory elucidates how the Global South drives order transformation through role status pursuits. Structural barriers persist, as dominant powers condition recognition on strategic alignment. The U.S. employs co-optation and division tactics, such as backing ASEAN and India to counter China. Internal competition within the Global South creates openings for U.S. wedge strategies. Differing recognition levels yield varied impacts: China’s initiative leadership garners broad Global South support; India’s group leadership gains Western but limited Southern backing; ASEAN’s cooperative role wins dual recognition but lacks clout. Post-2016 U.S. policies under Trump, marked by "America First," retracted development aid and imposed tariffs, harming the Global South while pushing it closer to China. Policy swings have deepened Southern awareness of U.S. hegemony. Moving forward, the Global South must prioritize economic growth, unity, and resistance to Western division. China should leverage its wisdom to explore effective status-enhancing pathways, advancing a more just international order.