Molson Hart

Contrary to the growing conventional wisdom China is totally incapable taking on a global leadership role politically or economically

Politically China has been a free Rider on the US global order, eg China has no capacity to support a client state in the middle east

What is a Chinese success story in independent international relations? Myanmar? Venezuela?

I think you're seeking more of a client state relationship, but if I had to name three, I would say: New Zealand, Australia, and paradoxically, the U.S.

i don't think you can really look at these outside the framework of US hegemony

I agree with you on that. They are a free rider, for sure. That said, I'm not completely sold on the idea that they can't start marauding trade lanes with aircraft carriers and gunboats in the near future.