“I am prepared to put forward a Global Governance Initiative, and together with all countries, work to build a more just and equitable global governance system, joining hands to advance toward a community with a shared future for mankind.”
On September 1 in Tianjin, at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization+” meeting, facing leaders of participating countries and heads of international organizations, and against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving changes unseen in a century, President Xi Jinping proposed this major global initiative.
From the question of what kind of development philosophy the world needs, how countries can achieve common security, how different civilizations should coexist, to what kind of global governance system should be built and how to reform and improve it—answering these pressing questions of the times concerns the future and destiny of the world and the fundamental well-being of all peoples.
In 2021, Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative; in 2022, the Global Security Initiative; in 2023, the Global Civilization Initiative. This time, his Global Governance Initiative is yet another important public good that China in the new era is providing to the world. It further enriches and advances the theory and roadmap of building a community with a shared future for mankind, injecting into a turbulent world the stabilizing force of Eastern wisdom.
The four global initiatives each have their own focus but proceed in harmony, together forming a more complete and systematic “Chinese solution.” They provide both a philosophical foundation and a practical path to addressing the deficits in peace, development, security, and governance—at root, a deficit in leadership. As the international situation grows increasingly turbulent and chaotic, the world yearns for stability and direction, urgently hoping for responsible major countries to demonstrate leadership and provide certainty.
At historic junctures, there is always both reflection and vision.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Eighty years ago, the United Nations was born out of the flames of World War II, opening up a new practice of global governance. Over the past 80 years, international power balances have undergone profound change. Today, the existing global governance system still contains unjust and unreasonable arrangements: the Global South lacks representation, the authority of the United Nations has been eroded, and its effectiveness falls short—weaknesses that urgently need to be addressed.
Global governance emerged during the formation and improvement of the international system, and it will inevitably evolve and develop along with changes in that system.
“As for the confrontations and injustices happening in today’s world, it is not because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are outdated, but precisely because they have not been effectively implemented,” President Xi has sharply observed.
The more difficult the times, the more we must uphold the original aspiration of peaceful coexistence, strengthen confidence in cooperation and mutual benefit, and continue advancing with the logic of historical progress and the trend of the times.
Out of deep concern for humanity’s future, President Xi’s Global Governance Initiative provides a Chinese answer, rich in Eastern wisdom, to the reform and improvement of the global governance system. It charts a clear path forward together:
“Adhering to sovereign equality” is the primary premise: All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, must participate equally, decide equally, and benefit equally in global governance. Democracy in international relations should be promoted, and the representation and voice of developing countries enhanced.
“Observing international rule of law” is the fundamental safeguard: Fully and faithfully abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other universally recognized norms of international relations, ensuring equal and consistent application of international law and rules, rejecting “double standards,” and resisting attempts by a few countries to impose their “family rules” on others.
“Practicing multilateralism” is the basic pathway: Uphold the vision of global governance based on consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Strengthen solidarity and cooperation, oppose unilateralism, resolutely safeguard the UN’s status and authority, and give full play to the UN’s irreplaceable role in global governance.
“Advocating people-centeredness” is the value orientation: Reform and improve the global governance system to ensure all peoples can jointly participate in and share the fruits of global governance, better address common challenges facing humanity, better bridge the North-South development divide, and better safeguard the shared interests of all nations.
“Focusing on action-orientation” is an important principle: Pursue systematic planning and holistic advancement, coordinate global actions, fully mobilize resources, deliver more visible results, and through practical cooperation avoid governance lag and fragmentation.
Putting forward the Global Governance Initiative is not about tearing down and starting anew, nor about building another stove from scratch. It is about innovation and improvement—its purpose is to guide the global governance system toward greater fairness and reason, to better serve the people of all countries.
As early as 2015, with profound strategic vision, President Xi creatively proposed the concept of global governance through consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. It clarified the basic principles, set the direction for reform of the global governance system, and built international consensus.
“Keep pace with the times and forge a fair and reasonable governance model.”
“Strive to make the global governance system more balanced in reflecting the will and interests of the majority of countries.”
“World affairs should be discussed by all; it cannot be that the one with the strongest arm makes the rules.”
From the UN podium to the World Economic Forum, from BRICS summits to the CPC Politburo’s collective study sessions, from the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence—at numerous major domestic and international occasions, Xi has elaborated on China’s vision of global governance, winning broad resonance in the international community.
Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, China has advanced South-South cooperation: promoting the historic expansion of BRICS, joining hands with Africa on the “Ten Partnership Actions” for modernization, launching the “Five Major Projects” with Latin America, building the “Five Cooperation Frameworks” with Arab countries, and establishing six cooperation platforms with Pacific Island countries.
Despite the shifting international landscape, President Xi has led China in the new era to steadfastly defend the international system with the UN at its core, advance major practical initiatives, and consistently act as a participant, promoter, and leader in the transformation of global governance.
As the world’s largest regional organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has continued to make important contributions to the construction and reform of the global governance system.
At the SCO Tianjin summit, Xi stressed: “The SCO must play a leading role and set an example in implementing the Global Governance Initiative.” He emphasized that the SCO should contribute “SCO strength” to safeguarding world peace and stability, demonstrate “SCO responsibility” in promoting global openness and cooperation, make an “SCO example” in championing humanity’s shared values, and take “SCO action” in defending international fairness and justice.
Improving global governance requires gathering the broadest wisdom and strength from across the five continents.
“In two days, China will solemnly hold in Beijing a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, with many colleagues present. China is ready to work with all parties, to take on responsibility with moral courage, to walk the great path with determination, to uphold a correct view of World War II history, and to firmly safeguard the fruits of victory—so that the reform of the global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind will deliver more and better benefits to all humanity!” Xi’s words at the meeting were stirring.
To hold firmly to the great course is to lead the world forward.
The Global Governance Initiative marks a new starting point. Humanity’s great vessel, sailing together, is breaking waves toward the bright future of a community with a shared future for mankind. This is the common expectation of the world, and the inevitable trend of history.
Editor: Zhiyu Wang
