I think there are two perspectives that might provide a different view - the world outside the Western countries and when seen from the view of physical product

I think there are two perspectives that might provide a different view - the world outside the Western countries and when seen from the view of physical products vs soft services. I travel a fair bit in sub-Saharan Africa and the extent of Chinese influence has changed dramatically in the last decade or so. The airports in most countries are being built/upgraded by Chinese companies. The major highways are almost always built by the Chinese. Often enough these are financed by Chinese banks. Even at a consumer level there is a visible presence of Chinese cars and trucks. Chinese motorcycles are everywhere. Most supermarkets are filled with Chinese products, and quite often with Chinese brand names. Union Pay from China is starting to get accepted along with Visa and MasterCard at retail establishments. Even WeChat is taking root as a communication tool of choice though WhatsApp is still hugely more popular. There are Chinese owned/run hotels in most cities to cater to the increasing number of visitors and it won't be long before they compete with the large chains like Accor and Marriot for non-Chinese visitors. To me, there seems a very clear influence at all levels in a very large number of countries (including Sri Lanka, Maldives and many others in Asia). Even in India, where I am from, with its rather complex relationship with China, Chinese products are everywhere. A recent article (https://www.gadgetsnow.com/tech-news/chinese-fashion-e-tailers-see-increased-demand-from-indians/articleshow/61814871.cms https://www.gadgetsnow.com/tech-news/chinese-fashion-e-taile...) shows Alibaba competing quite well with Amazon and Flipkart, the current leaders, in some categories. There is also a sense that I see of the Western companies withdrawing a bit, if only anecdotally. Most flights I take to the African countries less popular on the tourist circuit has more and more Chinese people looking like they are on business, and a corresponding reduction from everywhere else. It may be less in-your-face when compared to the spree of Middle Eastern purchases in major Western cities from the earlier decards, but this looks more steady and lasting.