Wang Yi

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the founding of the United Nations (U.N.). At this critical historical juncture, General Secretary Xi Jinping, bearing in mind the future of humanity and understanding the progressive trend of the times, solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus” Meeting. GGI offers China’s solution to the questions of our times, namely what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance. Upon its proposal, GGI received widespread and enthusiastic responses from the international community. More than 140 countries and international organizations promptly expressed their welcome and support. It is widely believed that this important initiative is a major effort of strategic significance by China to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system, and shows the profound vision and sense of historical responsibility of General Secretary Xi Jinping as the leader of a major country. We must gain a deep understanding of GGI’s contemporary, global, theoretical and practical significance, intensify the push for reform and improvement of global governance, and work with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

I. Deeply Understanding the Major Significance of GGI

GGI marks a new level of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in understanding the laws governing the development of the human society. It demonstrates the power of truth in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, and it is another important international public good that China provides to the world in the new era.

This major initiative conforms to the prevailing development trends of human society and points the right way forward for the reform of the global governance system. Since the end of World War II, the global governance landscape has undergone profound changes marked by the sweeping national independence and liberation movements from Asia and Africa to Latin America, the collapse of the colonial system across the world, and the increase of U.N. member states from 51 at its founding to 193 today. Since the turn of the century, in particular, the Global South has emerged as a group, with multiple centers of development taking shape in various regions. The old “center-periphery” system has been broken, and no country or bloc gets to monopolize world affairs. Redressing historical injustice and shaping international fairness and justice have become the common aspiration of the vast majority of countries. The proposal of GGI conforms to the trends of our times, i.e. multipolarization in the world and democratization of international relations. It reflects the interests and demands of the vast majority of countries, and will surely be a boost to the Global South in making historic contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity.

This major initiative meets the urgent needs of the world today and provides a guide for the international community to unite and move forward together. In today’s world, countries see their interests and destinies closely entwined. The prediction of “history as world history” made by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels has long become a reality. As the ever-expanding common interests must be maintained through further improved joint governance, cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win results has become the only right choice for all countries. In the meantime, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism are on the rise. Deficits in peace, development, security and trust intensify. Global governance systems suffer a more severe lack of authority, representation and effectiveness. Seizing the prevailing trend of the times, that is, countries are increasingly becoming a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future, GGI is injecting new impetus into the sharing of development opportunities among various parties, providing new solutions for joint response to challenges, and offering a new path for the world to emerge from turbulence and changes.

This major initiative embodies the theoretical character of breaking new ground while adhering to the fundamental principles, and enriches the scientific system of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Building a community with a shared future for humanity is the core tenets of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Over the past decade since its inception, it has been substantiated continuously and developed into a scientific system with broad coverage, visionary ideas and a complete structure. Following the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Governance Initiative which highlights the building of a more just and equitable global governance system. It broadens and expands the previous three initiatives from the perspective of improving governance mechanisms. These four initiatives, each with its own focus, are entirely compatible. Together they constitute an organic whole where development promotes prosperity, security ensures stability, inter-civilization exchange enhances trust, and governance advances justice. These initiatives are bringing more stability and certainty to a turbulent and fluid world, and providing strategic guidance for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

This major initiative originates from the extraordinary diplomatic journey of China in the new era, and demonstrates the responsibility and mission of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. As a responsible and constructive force in global governance, China has long made important contributions to global governance. We have firmly supported the central role of the U.N., actively participated in U.N. peacekeeping operations, kept to the Chinese way of resolving hotspot issues, and pushed for the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), bringing new hope for world peace and tranquility. We have joined hands with the Global South in uniting for strength and actively developed BRICS and the SCO, contributing our fair share to the global governance mechanisms. We have advocated and vigorously promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and established platforms for open cooperation such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), empowering and energizing common development and prosperity. We have been deeply engaged in international cooperation to tackle climate change and advance sustainable development, solemnly announced our Nationally Determined Contributions for 2035 and earnestly honored our commitments, rallying support and pooling strength in preserving our shared home planet. GGI represents the summary, refinement, and elevation of China’s long-time participation and extensive practice in global governance.‌ It will guide China’s diplomacy in playing a greater role in the reform and improvement of global governance, as we work hand-in-hand with all countries to create a better future.

II. Accurately Grasping the Full Connotations of GGI

Guided by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, GGI underscores five key principles, namely sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, the people-centered approach and real actions, and provides a systematic solution to reforming and improving global governance.

Adhering to sovereign equality and promoting broad-based participation in global governance 

Sovereign equality is a basic norm governing international relations. All countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are entitled to equal participation, decision-making and benefit-sharing in global governance. History and reality have repeatedly proven that sovereign equality is the cornerstone of global peace, while arrogance and bullying of the weak are the root causes of conflicts and turbulence. A few countries and groups, proceeding from a so-called “position of strength,” have engaged in power politics and bullying practices, and willfully applied maximum pressure on others. Such behaviors represent the biggest disruptive factor in today’s international order. However, all acts that go against the trend of history are doomed to fail.

Abiding by international rule of law and promoting justice and order in global governance

Our world needs fairness, not hegemonism. International rule of law is the fundamental guarantee for realizing justice and fairness in governance. To uphold international rule of law, we must observe the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and other widely recognized basic norms of international relations comprehensively, fully and in their entirety, so as to consolidate its foundation; we must safeguard the fairness and stability of international rule of law, and oppose double standards and the imposition of one’s will on others, so as to increase its credibility; we must also put in place sound international rules to foster good global governance and develop rules for new areas based on extensive consensus, so as to uphold its authority. International rule of law must be upheld by all countries. Major countries, bearing pivotal responsibilities in improving global governance and safeguarding fairness and justice, must take the lead in advocating and defending international rule of law. We must never allow the world to revert to the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, or let countries fall once again into the abyss of conflict and confrontation.

Practicing multilateralism and promoting solidarity and cooperation in global governance

True multilateralism, together with sincere solidarity and cooperation, are the definitive answer to avoiding the path of the two world wars and tackling global challenges. In face of the lingering shadow of the Cold War mentality and the rampant acts of power politics, it is all the more important that we champion multilateralism and break exclusive “blocs” with greater unity. We must advance global governance by upholding true multilateralism. In terms of principles, we must stay committed to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and oppose unilateralism and all forms of pseudo-multilateralism. In terms of institutions, we must focus on increasing the authority and effectiveness of multilateral institutions, resolutely uphold the central role of the U.N. in today’s international system, and harness the constructive role of other international and regional institutions. In terms of actions, we must step up coordination and cooperation, pool consensus through dialogue, resolve differences through consultation, and promote win-win results through cooperation. Global affairs should be discussed and decided by all, the international system built by all, and the fruits of governance shared by all—this is the only viable choice that serves the common interests of people of all countries.

Advocating the people-centered approach and promoting shared benefit and inclusiveness in global governance

As noted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, “Our hearts must be with the people, our work must be for the people, and we must do our best to improve the well-being of all the people.” Wholeheartedly serving the people is the CPC’s abiding commitment. Taking part in global governance, China holds the value orientation that the people is at the center of all work and strives to turn the aspirations for a better life of both the Chinese people and people worldwide into reality. We should improve global governance through reform, gradually narrow the North-South gap, and enable all to share in the fruits of development, so as to increase the sense of gain for people of all countries. We should better address humanity’s common challenges, and safeguard world peace and tranquility, so as to increase the sense of security for people of all countries. We should also work to break down the barriers between hearts and minds of different countries and communities, and foster closer people-to-people ties, so as to increase the sense of happiness for people of all countries.

Focusing on taking real actions and promoting pragmatism and effectiveness in global governance

The vitality of global governance lies in actions, and its success hinges on results. At present, the withdrawal of certain countries from international organizations and agreements, coupled with their cutting of funding to international institutions, have exacerbated the operational difficulties of multilateral mechanisms, stalled reforms of international institutions, and left many multilateral agendas in a state of paralysis, with discussions producing no decision and decisions not acted on. China proposes that we should pursue both systemic advancement and targeted breakthroughs, and at the same time focus on practical issues that matter most to developing countries to deliver more visible outcomes. We should address both symptoms and root causes, devising effective solutions to immediate problems while exploring fundamental solutions to long-term challenges. We should promote both North-South and South-South cooperation. Developed countries should earnestly fulfill their international obligations and not evade international responsibilities under any pretext. Developing countries should seek collective strength and make due contributions.

III. Pushing with Full Strength for Result-Oriented Implementation of GGI

Great vision leads the way, and sense of mission pools strength. Global governance now stands at a critical juncture: past achievements must be carried forward, and no progress means retrogress. Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has entered a new stage where much more can be accomplished. We are ready to work with all countries to meet challenges head-on, shoulder responsibilities and take concrete actions. With GGI implementation leading the way, we will accelerate the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and promote a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for the world.

We should all be go-getters in global governance reform. China is ready to join hands with all countries to firmly uphold the authority and central role of the U.N. and support it in implementing the Pact for the Future. We should build “the strength of the South” in global governance, deepen cooperation within the greater BRICS and the SCO family, and support such mechanisms as the G20 and APEC in playing their roles. We should promote reform of IMF quotas and voting powers in the World Bank, and enhance the development of the AIIB, the NDB, and an SCO development bank, so that the global economic and financial governance architecture can better reflect the evolving world economic landscape and the shared aspirations of the vast majority of countries. We should support reforms of the U.N. and its Security Council in ways that serve the long-term interests of the Organization and the common interests of all member states, giving more developing countries, especially small and medium-sized ones, a voice in multilateral decision-making.

We should build a strong bulwark for international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with all countries to firmly uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, coordinate relations among states through institution-building and international rules, and advance the rule of law in international relations. We should promote the spirit of international rule of law, oppose the law of the jungle where the strong bully the weak, and firmly reject unilateral sanctions, long-arm jurisdiction and abuse of tariffs. We should take positions and make policies based on the merits of issues, speak out for justice, act in fairness, and oppose pursuing one’s own selfish interests at the expense of other countries’ legitimate rights and interests. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an accelerated process toward greater democracy in international relations, so as to ensure that every country’s voice is heard and that every nation finds its rightful place and plays its due role in a multipolar system.

We should forge the golden key to tackling tough challenges. China is ready to work with other countries to resolutely oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, keep global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should pursue a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, respect the legitimate security concerns of all parties, advocate coordinated responses to both traditional and non-traditional security threats, explore solutions to address both symptoms and root causes of hotspot issues, support the IOMed in playing its role, and work with all parties to safeguard world peace and tranquility. We should ramp up efforts to mobilize global development resources, deepen international cooperation on poverty reduction, anti-corruption and food security, and accelerate the implementation of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We should promote green development, implement the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and deepen international cooperation on climate action and biodiversity governance.

We should open up a new prospect of tangible benefits for people of all countries. China is ready to work with other countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, coordinate the major flagship projects and the “small and beautiful” livelihood programs, and continuously enhance the sense of gain among people in participating countries. We should effectively implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), promote the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), and ensure that regional integration and connectivity better benefit countries of the region. We should improve global governance of artificial intelligence (AI), strengthen international cooperation on AI capacity building, and ensure that the latest AI development benefit the entire humanity. We should promote mutual learning among civilizations and expand cross-border travels to enable people of all countries to better learn about each other, build closer bonds, and prosper together. China will further expand high-standard opening up, gradually expand voluntary and unilateral opening up, and grant all LDCs and African nations having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. China will continue to expand visa-free policies to facilitate people-to-people exchanges with other countries. With these measures, China aims to share development opportunities with peoples all over the world.

As we carry on, the wind in our sail is strong and the right way ahead is broad and straight. We must rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular, fully implement GGI, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and keep breaking new ground for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.