Wilson Center Research Fellow and former US diplomat Leland Lazarus breaks down three key ways Washington underestimates China's global influence today.

1. The Global Narrative: Overlooking how China's "community of shared destiny" appeals to countries critical of Western-led systems. 

2. Economic Resilience: Assuming China's economy has peaked despite rapid breakthroughs in AI models and global EV expansion. 

3. Covert Networks: Ignoring growing symbiotic ties between Chinese state power and criminal networks involved in trafficking and money laundering.