Keynote Speech by H.E. Chen Xiaodong
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
At the High-Level Dialogue:
Global Governance After the U.N. Summit of the Future
Of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,

It is my great pleasure to gather here with you on the beautiful island of Hainan and have an exchange on global governance after the U.N. Summit of the Future.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations-an important moment to summarize the past and envision the future. The international landscape is now undergoing turbulence and transformation; factors of instability and uncertainty are on the rise; and the world faces the risk of returning to the law of the jungle. Hence, it is important that countries make concerted efforts to advance global governance. The U.N. Summit of the Future last year adopted the Pact for the Future, which sent a clear political message of strengthening unity and cooperation and improving global governance,and showed the way forward for meeting global challenges.

In the face of formidable global challenges, President Xi Jinping, with a global vision and bearing in mind the well-being of all humanity, put forward the important vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, which set the direction for countries to jointly tackle common challenges. Secretary General Guterres and Under Secretary General Ryder both agree that the three initiatives are aligned with the U.N.’s vision and goals, and that China and the U.N. should deepen cooperation on these fronts. Last month, as the rotating president of the Security Council, China convened a high-level meeting themed “Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance.” Foreign Minister Wang Yi expounded China’s views on fostering a just and equitable global governance system, which received warm response from U.N. agencies and member states.

Peace and security is the top priority of global governance. It is also a key element of the Pact for the Future. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) advocates a new path toward security that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win results over zero-sum game. It aims to build the widest consensus and provide new ideas for improving global security governance and resolving security plights. The Initiative has won support from over 120 countries and international and regional organizations. It is hence more than necessary that we work to create synergies between the GSI and the Pact for the Future on global security governance, coordinate their implementation, and achieve mutual success. In this connection, China proposes the following:

First, we need to uphold the vision of common security, and respect and safeguard the security of every country. Mutual respect and equality among all countries, big or small, is an important principle of the U.N. Charter. No country should seek so-called absolute security at the expense of the security of others. Any act of bullying, trickery or extortion is a flagrant violation of the basic norms of international relations. We should seek solutions for security governance on the basis of mutual respect, and build lasting peace on the basis of equity and justice.

Under the guidance of the GSI, China acts in strict accordance with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and speaks up and acts for justice on the international stage. As a natural member of the Global South, China always firmly supports other developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests. At the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China and Africa reached important consensus on jointly implementing the GSI. This is a fine example of China supporting fellow developing countries in building their capability for ensuring peace and security with concrete actions. China has signed memorandums of understanding on GSI cooperation and carried out fruitful cooperation with countries in Asia and Africa. We also help train security governance personnel in various fields for fellow developing countries, with about 1,700 training opportunities planned for 2025. No matter how the world changes, our heart will always be with fellow developing countries, and we will always be rooted in the Global South. China will always uphold the principles of noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries and respect for sovereignty and dignity, and work for equality in terms of rights, rules and opportunities for all countries.

Second, we need to practice true multilateralism following the principle of solidarity and collaboration. Addressing global threats requires global efforts. The Pact for the Future’s call for the reinvigoration of multilateralism is highly relevant. Facing a complex and severe international landscape, it is important to uphold true multilateralism and the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit; to accentuate the U.N.’s central role in the international system and safeguard its authority; and to replace bloc confrontation with inclusiveness and collaboration and shatter small circles with greater solidarity. Major countries should set an example in upholding integrity and the rule of law, and at the same time help and encourage other countries to participate in global security governance on an equal footing. The “us first” approach will only lead to a lose-lose result.

Under the guidance of the GSI, China supports the important role of the U.N. and its Security Council in ending violence and maintaining peace. China is the second largest contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping budget, and the largest troop and police contributor among the permanent members of the Security Council. Thirty-five years since its participation in peacekeeping missions, China has dispatched a total of 50,000-plus peacekeepers. Chinese Blue Helmets have become a crucial force in U.N. peacekeeping operations. We support U.N.’s good offices and mediation efforts on international and regional hotspot issues in accordance with its mandates. China worked with Brazil and other Global South countries in launching the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis at the U.N. last year. China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world, and will continue to support enhancing the representation and voice of the Global South in global security governance with a view to making the global security governance system more just, reasonable and effective.

Third, we need to work for lasting security underpinned by sustainable development. Underdevelopment is a major cause for the protraction of many conflicts; hence, sustainable development is the golden key to solving global security problems. The Pact for the Future calls for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to address the root causes of conflicts. If security is to be firmly established and lasting, people in all countries should get to lead a better life. It is important to help underdeveloped countries improve people’s lives and grow their economy, and through development, resolve tensions and eliminate the breeding ground of insecurity.

Under the guidance of the GSI, China is committed to promoting sustainable security through sustainable development, and actively supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With concerted efforts, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation continues to make solid progress, benefiting more than 150 countries and contributing to a 6.4 percent increase in China’s trade with Belt and Road countries in 2024. China will actively promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and increase input into global development cooperation. China will continue to promote international cooperation on climate change and supply and industrial chains, and support the international community in strengthening the ability to meet global challenges in terms of resource, energy and food security.

Fourth, we need to ensure both traditional and nontraditional security with a comprehensive approach. In today’s world, the intention and extension of global security governance are broadening to cover a much larger framework of time, space and areas. It is therefore important to both address the immediate security challenges and make forward planning for tackling potential threats, and to take more integrated and coordinated measures to make security governance more effective. The Pact for the Future proposes to address the potential risks posed by the misuse of new and emerging technologies. The international community should enhance open cooperation on science and technology, advocate the idea of Tech for Good, and improve global governance in science and technology , with a view to enhancing the well-being of the entire humanity.

Under the guidance of the GSI, China is committed to advancing the conventional arms control process, and works actively to facilitate the comprehensive implementation of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy among the international community. We have put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security and Global AI Governance Initiative, and worked to improve governance rules in new frontiers such as deep sea, the polar regions, outer space and cyberspace. We have also conducted cooperation in nontraditional security fields such as online gambling, telecom fraud and human trafficking through platforms such as ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. China will continue to work with all sides to face up to these challenges, strengthen cooperation, jointly resolve various traditional and nontraditional security risks, work for a multidimensional and multilevel security governance system and provide more Chinese solutions to global security challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

As the Chinese saying goes, “Victory is ensured when people pool their strength.” Each country and everyone has a part to play in global governance. China is ready to work with all countries to turn the GSI from consensus into action and the Pact for the Future from a vision into reality, to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and to usher in a brighter future with lasting peace and universal security.