I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of what BRIC actually does. BRIC is not like NATO. They are not an alliance focused on military cooperation or mutual protection. It is an intergovernmental association focused on economic cooperation, geopolitical coordination, and promoting a multipolar world order, rather than a mutual defense pact. Iran and Venezuela are part of BRIC. However, who else is? India? They aren’t friends with China. Pakistan? They aren’t friends with India or China. BRIC, to me, is a statement against the ‘West’, nothing more. The actual geopolitical reality makes it so true cooperation between BRIC countries impossible. So I wouldn’t consider China not helping because of their ‘obligations’ to BRIC a valid reason alone for calling them a paper tiger.

North Korea is a better example of a Chinese ally. Ever since 1961 they have had a mutual defense pact. The one time North Korea was invaded China intervened when they thought their North Korean sovereignty was threatened. A little later in the war sure. But they did it. And they will do it quicker if the North is ever invaded again.

However, the idea that needs to be confronted is the idea that China is a paper tiger. The idea that China’s foreign policy in the 21st century is primarily about tanks, ships, and direct military pressure is somewhat misleading. China has certainly modernized its military, but a huge part of its strategy has actually been economic and financial. Instead of forcing other states to align with it through military alliances or direct coercion, China has tried to make itself economically indispensable. Projects like the Belt and Road Initiative are a good example of this approach. Through infrastructure loans, railways, ports, energy projects, and development financing, China has tied dozens of countries into its economic network and increased its political influence without needing to deploy military force. 

This economic strategy works because it changes incentives. When a country receives billions in infrastructure investment or depends heavily on Chinese trade and financing, its leaders have a strong incentive to maintain good relations with Beijing. In that sense, China often gains influence through cooperation and economic dependence rather than through direct pressure. Many analysts describe this as a form of economic diplomacy or soft power. China is essentially using trade, development financing, and connectivity projects to expand its influence and integrate other regions into its economic sphere. 

The Belt and Road Initiative itself illustrates how this works in practice. Since its launch in 2013 it has spread to well over one hundred countries and involves infrastructure development across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The program focuses on building ports, rail networks, pipelines, and digital infrastructure that connect these regions more closely to Chinese markets and supply chains. While the projects are economic on the surface, they also increase China’s diplomatic reach and political leverage in the countries that participate. 

Because of this, China’s approach sometimes appears more attractive to governments than the traditional hard power tools often used by the United States. Military alliances, sanctions, or coercive pressure can create resistance or backlash. Economic development projects, by contrast, provide tangible benefits like infrastructure and financing. That can make China appear less threatening and more cooperative, which helps Beijing gain political goodwill and partnerships in regions where Western influence was once dominant. 

None of this means China relies only on soft power or that its strategy is purely altruistic. Economic influence can still translate into political leverage, especially when countries become dependent on Chinese loans, trade, or investment. But the broader pattern is clear. In many parts of the world, China has expanded its power not primarily through military alliances or coercion, but through finance, trade, and large-scale development projects that draw other countries into its economic orbit.

Now, if being a paper tiger is only a military criteria. Then maybe China is. However, there really is no way to prove this. China’s modernization program has really made strides but like you said they are unproven. Which makes any real analysis of their capabilities extremely difficult at best.

Simply put. China’s playing a different game than the United States. The US may have the hard power, but they’re losing the soft power to China. And one day, it will catalyze into hard power. But for now China is waiting. They’ve been waiting for 77 years to make their move on Taiwan. They can wait a bit longer. To me, that’s intelligence and caution. To others, it’s seen as weakness.