Nepal, June 20 -- After the second world war, the US and its western allies created a set of international agreements and institutions to govern attitudes to mutual defence, economics and human rights. For decades this created stable alliances and predictable economic plans.

But, unlike his predecessors, Donald Trump believes that international organisations undermine US interests and sovereignty. He has withdrawn the US from the World Health Organisation, and there is speculation he could reduce US commitment to the UN. US investment in NATO's mutual defence pact remains under discussion.

But while Washington is busy sounding the retreat from the very world order it had a hand in building, Beijing is looking to increase its internation...