Lead: China's Global Governance Initiative proposes a pathway toward multilateral reform, emphasizing sovereign equality and shared benefits over Western-dominated international system.
At the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting on Sept. 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling on all countries to work together for a more just and equitable global governance system and advance toward a community with a shared future for humanity.
The GGI represents the fourth transformative initiative Xi has unveiled since 2021. It builds on the three other major proposals made previously: the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. Together, these frameworks aim to create an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity by revitalizing global development partnerships, strengthening the U.N.'s central role in international security governance and promoting cultural exchanges between diverse civilizations with the common goal of worldwide peace and prosperity. Of course, it will serve to accelerate the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The GGI is grounded in five guiding principles: sovereign equality, respect for international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and concrete action. This framework offers a new paradigm of inclusive global governance to guide the world from confrontation toward peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit.
It considers sovereign equality as the most important norm governing state-to-state relations, casting it as a core premise of global governance and the foremost principle observed by the U.N. and all other international institutions and organizations.
The initiative doesn't intend to develop a global governance system where Chinese views and norms are decisive. Rather, it emphasizes that all countries, regardless of size, strength and economic power, should be equal partners in decision-making and equal beneficiaries of global governance. The GGI advocates greater democracy in international relations to ensure the system reflects the interests and aspirations of all nations, not just those of one or a small number of countries.
Affirming respect for sovereignty and the right of every country to choose its social and development model, the GGI maintains that internal affairs brook no external interference. Against the backdrop of America's normalization of high tariffs as a tool for "conquering markets and interfering in domestic issues," the initiative shares a vision to protect the territorial integrity and economic security of all countries.
Some Western observers frame partner nations' support for the GGI as obsequious and describe its language as abstract or ideological, attempting to downplay the initiative's significance due to long-held bias. However, endorsements from Malaysia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and many other nations demonstrate that its emphasis on principles, including sovereign equality, has compelling resonance for a wide array of countries.
The GGI puts commitment to the rule of law at the bedrock of global governance, stressing equal application of international law and rules. Xi said there should be no double standards and that "house rules" must not be imposed on others.
Countries across the Global South have intensified their criticism of Western hypocrisy in the application of international law and the U.N. Charter. These double standards have eroded the confidence of many countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and even Europe in the existing international order.
The U.S. administration's protectionist approach, disrespect for multilateral institutions and international law, dismissal of existential threats such as climate change and rhetoric toward partners have awakened a desire in the Global South to pursue a multipolar world order and expand partnerships.
Leaders of developing and emerging economies are pressing hard for a more just, equitable and representative world order based on universally recognized principles of international law. By advocating consensus-based international rules and uniform enforcement of international law, the GGI intends to purge double standards from the global governance system, which has long helped powerful nations tilt the system in their favor.
Multilateralism is the cornerstone of global governance. Rooted in extensive consultation and joint contribution, the GGI rejects unilateralism and maintains that the governance system, resting on inclusive decision-making and true multilateralism, should be built by all, with its benefits shared by all.
Contrary to claims the GGI showcases Beijing's ambition for a new global economic and security order, it actually pursues defending the U.N.'s status and authority, augmenting its "irreplaceable" role in global governance. At a time when the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation with rising unilateralism, it could help build a unified, multilateral response to global crises, from climate change, poverty and pandemics to inequality and socioeconomic regression.
The GGI draws on China's people-centered approach, following which it achieved dramatic progress against poverty, inspiring Global South leaders. The initiative strives to reform global governance to meet people's needs and improve their well-being by accelerating development, bolstering resilience to shared challenges and advancing common interests. In doing so, it has the potential to help narrow the North-South divide, act as a bridge between them and serve the interests of both the developed and developing countries.
The GGI affirms that governance is about concrete actions, not making statements. The initiative calls for adopting a systematic and holistic approach, coordinating global actions, mobilizing resources and boosting practical cooperation. It further necessitates addressing both root causes and symptoms to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Global governance lacks substance unless it produces tangible results. By placing problem-solving at the core of global governance and urging developed and developing countries to shoulder their respective responsibilities of providing more resources and contributing their best efforts, the initiative aspires to forge a synchronized effort against interconnected global challenges and generate visible outcomes for the world.
Despite growing skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of global governance and international institutions, the GGI doesn't aim to abandon or overturn the existing international order. Instead, it seeks to reform and strengthen this system by embedding fairness, inclusivity and transparency into its structure so it can respond to global needs and deliver lasting benefits to developed and developing nations alike.
The GGI sets out bold and ambitious goals. It vows to harness platforms provided by the U.N. and regional, sub-regional and international multilateral institutions to infuse energy into the global governance system. The initiative also focuses on building consensus to address governance gaps in areas such as international financial architecture, artificial intelligence, climate change and trade.
Anchored in multilateralism and aligned closely with the U.N. Pact for the Future, the initiative reaffirms its commitment to the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. The framework envisions cooperation with all progressive forces to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
For a world facing a cascade of threats and challenges from environmental degradation and terrorism to Cold War thinking, hegemonism and protectionism, the GGI maps out the course for a fairer and more equitable global governance system, one built on the principle of mutual consultation and pledging peace, prosperity and security to all.
*My article first appeared in China's Diplomacy in the New Era