China’s Global Governance Initiative: A move to convert the world to a peaceful, Multipolar, and Balanced one, Part II
Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Business and Political Analyst
China wants and promotes multilateralism. Multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries working together to achieve a common goal. Multilateralism is based on the principles of inclusivity, equality, and cooperation, and aims to foster a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. One of the key advantages of multilateralism is that it enables countries to solve problems that transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, through shared responsibility and burden-sharing.
Multilateralism is the core concept of the existing international system and international order. The principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit must be upheld. Global affairs should be decided by all, the governance system built by all, and the fruits of governance shared by all. The practice of unilateralism must be rejected. The U.N. is the core platform for practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance, whose role must be enhanced, not weakened. Other global and regional multilateral institutions should give play to their respective strengths and play a constructive role. All discriminatory and exclusionary arrangements should be avoided.
Another important and integral aspect of global governance is commitment to the people-to-people approach. This is the underpinning value of global governance. The people of all nations are the fundamental actors in global governance, and their well-being is its ultimate benefit. The global governance system must meet the people’s needs and consistently foster their confidence and belief in a stable future to be extensively supported and effective. It must seek improvement through reforms to inspire, among people of all countries, a greater sense of fulfillment through accelerated common development, a greater sense of safety through more effective response to humanity’s common challenges, and a greater sense of well-being through advancing the common interests of different countries and communities.
The Global Governance System must be problem-solving and result-oriented. This is an important principle of global governance. Effective global governance is essentially one that resolves real problems. Given the close links among various issues, global governance should be carried out in a more coordinated, systematic, and holistic way. It must address both root causes and symptoms to find sustainable solutions. It must both tackle pressing issues and consider long-term challenges. Developed countries should earnestly take on their responsibilities and provide more resources and public goods. Developing countries, on their part, should pull together for strength and do their best for the world.
The GGI is another major initiative proposed by China, following the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The GDI focuses on promoting international cooperation on development, the GSI on encouraging dialogue and consultation over international discord, the GCI on promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and the GGI on the direction, principles, and path of the global governance system and institutions. The four initiatives have their respective priorities and can be pursued simultaneously. They will each be a source of positive energy for a changing and turbulent world, an impetus for humanity’s development and progress.
The “five core concepts” of the GGI stem from the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and respond to the shared aspiration of most countries. To reform and improve global governance does not mean to overturn the existing international order or to create another framework outside the current international system. Rather, the goal is to make the existing international system and international institutions better at taking actions, working effectively, adapting to changes, responding promptly and effectively to various global challenges, and serving the interests of all countries, particularly developing ones. No matter how the international landscape changes, China will remain firm in safeguarding the international system with the U.N. at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, stand firmly on the right side of history, and join hands with all progressive forces in the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity and make relentless efforts for mankind’s noble cause of peace and development.
China has committed to uphold principles, embrace new ideas, stay open-minded and inclusive, adhere to the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and working under the framework of the GGI with all parties to enhance policy communication and coordination, to build extensive consensus and enrich the methods and pathways for reforming and improving global governance.
China is committed to leveraging the platforms provided by the U.N., relevant international organizations, and regional and sub-regional multilateral institutions to take active actions with all parties and contribute its thoughts and energy to reforming and improving global governance. Priority will be given to areas where governance is in urgent need and scant supply, such as the reform of the international financial architecture, AI, cyberspace, climate change, trade, and outer space, and to firmly upholding the authority and central role of the U.N. and supporting the U.N. in implementing the Pact for the Future. We would like to increase communication and cooperation in these areas to build consensus, identify deliverables, and bring about early harvests.
Humanity has become a closely intertwined community with a shared future. Enhancing global governance is the right choice for the international community to share in development opportunities and address global challenges. China will strengthen joint efforts with all parties to explore ways to reform and improve global governance and open up a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.
President Xi Jinping has a creative mind and generates innovative ideas. Before the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), he produced the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative. Global Governance Initiative is his fourth unique idea.
In explaining the initiative, Xi pointed out that the Cold War mentality, hegemony, and protectionism continue to haunt the world, and "global governance has come to a new crossroads".
He highlighted five principles for the Global Governance Initiative — adherence to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing true multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.
"We should maintain that all countries, regardless of size, strength, and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers, and beneficiaries in global governance," Xi said. "We should promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the representation and voice of developing countries," he said.
( Continued)
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