Deeply understand the historical significance of global governance initiatives and build a strong synergy for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

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 and the founding of the United Nations. At this critical historical juncture, General Secretary Xi Jinping, with the future and destiny of mankind in mind and the progressive trend of the times, solemnly proposed the global governance initiative at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization " meeting, clarifying China's plan for answering the contemporary proposition of "what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance." Once this major initiative was proposed, it aroused widespread and enthusiastic response from the international community, and more than 140 countries and international organizations quickly expressed their welcome and support. All parties generally believe that this major initiative is a major strategic move by China to promote the construction of a more fair and reasonable global governance system, and demonstrates General Secretary Xi Jinping's vision and historical responsibility as the leader of a major world power. We must deeply understand the contemporary, world, theoretical and practical significance of global governance initiatives, step up efforts to promote reform and improve global governance, and work with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

1. Deeply understand the significance of global governance initiatives

The global governance initiative has opened up a new realm for the Chinese Communist Party to understand the laws of development of human society, demonstrated the truth and power of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and is another important international public good provided by China to the world in the new era.

This major initiative conforms to the general development trend of human society and points out the correct direction for the reform of the global governance system. After World War II, the national independence and liberation movements in Asia, Africa and Latin America surged, the world colonial system collapsed, and the number of member states of the United Nations increased from 51 at the beginning to 193 today. The global governance pattern has undergone profound changes. Especially since the beginning of the new century, the global South has emerged as a group. Multiple development centers have formed in various regions. The old "center-periphery" system has been broken. No country or group of countries can monopolize world affairs. Correcting historical injustice and shaping international fairness and justice have become the common aspiration of the vast majority of countries. The proposal of the global governance initiative conforms to the trend of the times of world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, reflects the interests and demands of the vast majority of countries, and will certainly help the global South make historic contributions to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

This major initiative meets the urgent needs of today's world and provides an action guide for the international community to unite and progress together. In today's world, the interests of all countries are intertwined and we share weal and woe. We are among you, and you are among us. The prediction of Marx and Engels that "history becomes world history" has long since become a reality. The ever-expanding common interests must be maintained through constantly improving common governance. Working together for mutual benefit and win-win results has become the only correct choice for all countries in the world. At the same time, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. Unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism are on the rise. Peace deficits, development deficits, security deficits, and trust deficits are intensifying. The problems of insufficient authority, representativeness, and effectiveness of the global governance system have become more prominent. The Global Governance Initiative grasps the general trend of the times in which countries are increasingly becoming a community of interests, responsibilities, and destiny. It has injected new impetus into the sharing of development opportunities for all parties, provided new solutions for jointly coping with challenges, and clarified a new path for the world to emerge from turbulent changes.

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. In this special historical year that connects the past and the future, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the global governance initiative at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization " conference, further contributing Chinese wisdom and proposing Chinese solutions to the reform and improvement of global governance. The picture shows the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization " meeting scene taken on September 1. Photo by Cao Yaxing, CCTV reporter, China Central Radio and Television Station

This major initiative promotes the theoretical character of integrity and innovation and enriches the scientific system of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core concept of Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thoughts. It has been continuously enriched and developed over the past 10 years and has become a scientific system with broad coverage, broad ideas and complete structure. Following the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, emphasizing the promotion of a more just and reasonable global governance system, which is an extension and expansion of the first three global initiatives from the perspective of improving governance mechanisms. The four major global initiatives each have their own focus and run parallel to each other. They form an organic whole that promotes prosperity through development, ensures stability through security, increases mutual trust through civilization, and seeks justice through governance. It injects stability and certainty into the chaotic world and serves as strategic guidance for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

This major initiative stems from the grand history of China's diplomacy in the new era and demonstrates the responsibility of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. China is a responsible and constructive force in global governance and has made important contributions to global governance for a long time. We firmly support the United Nations in playing its core role, actively participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations, vigorously practice solutions to hot-spot issues with Chinese characteristics, promote the establishment of an international mediation court, and light up new hopes for world peace and tranquility; we join hands with the global South to unite for self-strength, actively build BRICS countries and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and contribute to the global governance mechanism; we advocate We have also made every effort to promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and build open cooperation platforms such as the AIIB and the BRICS New Development Bank to empower and increase efficiency for common development and prosperity. We are deeply involved in addressing climate change and promoting international cooperation for sustainable development. We solemnly announced the 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions and conscientiously fulfilled our commitments, and worked together to protect our planet. The Global Governance Initiative is a summary, refinement and sublimation of China's long-standing and rich practice of participating in global governance. It will guide China's diplomacy to show greater achievements in the process of reforming and improving global governance, and join hands with other countries to create a better future.

2. Accurately grasp the rich connotations of global governance initiatives

The Global Governance Initiative is based on safeguarding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and practicing the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. It emphasizes the five principle pillars of sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-oriented and action-oriented, and provides a systematic plan for reforming and improving global governance.

Pursue sovereign equality and promote joint participation in global governance. Sovereign equality is the basic norm of contemporary international relations. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, have the right to participate equally, make equal decisions, and benefit equally in the global governance process. History and reality have repeatedly shown that sovereign equality is the cornerstone of international peace, while self-centeredness and bullying of the weak by the strong are the root causes of conflicts and turmoil. A small number of countries and groups of countries, based on their so-called power status, engage in power bullying and exert extreme pressure on other countries at every turn. This is the biggest subversive factor in today's international order. Any action that goes against the trend of history is bound to end in failure.

Abide by the international rule of law and promote fair and orderly global governance. What this world needs is justice, not tyranny. International rule of law is the fundamental guarantee for fair and just governance. To abide by the international rule of law, we must comprehensively, fully and completely abide by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the recognized basic norms of international relations, and strengthen the foundation of the international rule of law; maintain the fairness and stability of the international rule of law, oppose double standards and imposition, and establish trust in the international rule of law; promote global good governance with good international law, formulate rules in emerging fields on the basis of broad consensus, and uphold the right of the international rule of law. The international rule of law should be safeguarded by all countries. Major countries bear key responsibilities in improving global governance and safeguarding fairness and justice, and should take the lead in advocating and maintaining the international rule of law. We must never allow the world to return to a jungle where the weak prey on the strong, and we must never allow countries to fall back into the abyss of conflict and confrontation.

Practice multilateralism and promote global governance of solidarity and cooperation. True multilateralism and sincere solidarity and cooperation are the correct answers to avoid repeating the mistakes of the two world wars and to solve global challenges. The more we face the lingering shadow of Cold War mentality and the rampant power politics, the more we must promote multilateralism and break away from "small circles" with "great unity". We must uphold true multilateralism in promoting global governance, adhere to the concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and oppose unilateralism and all forms of pseudo-multilateralism; institutionally, we must focus on improving the authority and effectiveness of multilateral institutions, resolutely safeguard the core position of the United Nations in the contemporary international system, and give play to the constructive role of other international and regional mechanisms; strengthen coordination and cooperation in action, build consensus through dialogue, resolve differences through consultation, and promote win-win results through cooperation. Global affairs should be handled through consultation, the international system should be built together, and governance results should be shared together. This is the only choice that serves the common interests of people of all countries.

Advocate for people-centered and promote inclusive global governance. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that we must put the people's hearts at heart and the interests of the world, and make unremitting efforts to improve people's well-being. The fundamental purpose of the Chinese Communists is to serve the people wholeheartedly; the value orientation of China's participation in global governance is to put the people at the center and strive to turn the Chinese people and people of other countries' yearning for a better life into reality. It is necessary to improve global governance through reform, gradually narrow the North-South divide, realize that the fruits of development are shared by all people, and enhance the sense of gain of people of all countries; it is necessary to better respond to the common challenges of all mankind, maintain world peace and tranquility, and enhance the sense of security of people of all countries; it is necessary to strive to eliminate ideological barriers between different countries and different groups, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and enhance the happiness of people of all countries.

Focus on action orientation and promote pragmatic and efficient global governance. The vitality of global governance lies in action, and the key lies in effectiveness. At present, due to the "withdrawal of certain countries from groups and treaties" and "withdrawal of capital and supply", the operation of multilateral mechanisms has become more difficult, the reform of international institutions has lagged behind, and many multilateral agendas have not been decided or implemented. China advocates adhering to the combination of overall advancement and key breakthroughs, focusing on the practical issues that countries, especially developing countries, are most concerned about, and creating more visible results; adhering to the combination of treating symptoms and root causes, not only proposing effective responses to current urgent problems, but also exploring fundamental solutions to long-term challenges; adhering to the combination of North-South cooperation and South-South cooperation. Developed countries should earnestly fulfill their international obligations and should not use any excuse to evade international responsibilities. Developing countries should unite to strengthen themselves and make contributions to the best of their ability.

3. Make every effort to promote the implementation of global governance initiatives and achieve results

Thoughts lead the direction, and mission gathers strength. Global governance is in a critical period of inheriting the past and linking to the future, and failing to advance will lead to retreat; major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has entered a historical stage where it can be more promising. We are willing to work with other countries to rise to the challenge, take on our responsibilities, take the implementation of global governance initiatives as a guide, accelerate the construction of a more fair and reasonable global governance system, and push the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.

Together, we should be the doers of global governance reform. We are willing to work with other countries to firmly safeguard the authority and core status of the United Nations and support the United Nations in advancing the implementation of the Future Compact. Strengthen the "Southern Power" in global governance, deepen cooperation between the "Greater BRICS" and the "SCO Family", and support the role of the G20, APEC and other mechanisms. Promote reforms such as the quotas of the International Monetary Fund and the voting rights of the World Bank, and strengthen the construction of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS New Development Bank, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Development Bank, so that the global economic and financial governance structure can better reflect the adjustment of the world economic pattern and the common aspirations of the vast majority of countries. Promote the reform of the United Nations and its Security Council in a direction that is conducive to the long-term interests of the United Nations and the common interests of all member states, and allow more developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, the opportunity to participate in multilateral affairs decision-making.

Build a solid breakwater for international fairness and justice. We are willing to work with other countries to firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, adhere to the coordination of relations between countries through system construction and international rules, and promote the rule of law in international relations. We should vigorously promote the spirit of international rule of law, oppose the law of the jungle that relies on the strong to bully the weak, and resolutely resist bullying such as unilateral sanctions, "long-arm jurisdiction", and indiscriminate tariffs. Decide on your own stance and policies based on the merits of the matter itself, speak out fairly, do justice, and oppose harming the legitimate rights and interests of other countries for your own selfish interests. We should advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarity, accelerate the process of democratization of international relations, and ensure that the voice of every country can be heard and that every country can find its own place and play its due role in the multipolar system.

Create golden keys to solve puzzle challenges. We are willing to work with other countries to resolutely oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, maintain the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains, and promote inclusive and inclusive economic globalization. We should practice a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, respect the legitimate security concerns of all parties, coordinate responses to various traditional and non-traditional security threats, explore solutions to hot-spot issues that address both symptoms and root causes, support the role of the International Court of Mediation, and jointly safeguard world peace and tranquility. Increase efforts to mobilize global development resources, deepen international cooperation in poverty reduction, anti-corruption, food security and other fields, and accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Promote green development, implement the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and deepen international cooperation in addressing climate change and promoting global biodiversity governance.

Create new prospects that benefit people of all countries. We are willing to work with other countries to promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", coordinate the construction of major landmark projects and "small but beautiful" people's livelihood projects, and continuously enhance the people's sense of gain in jointly building the country. Implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with high quality, promote the construction of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, and allow regional economic integration and connectivity to better benefit regional countries. Improve the global governance of artificial intelligence, strengthen international cooperation in artificial intelligence capacity building, and let the results of a new round of artificial intelligence development benefit all mankind. Promote exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, expand personnel exchanges between countries, and promote mutual understanding and mutual understanding among people of all countries, and share the beauty and beauty of each other. China will further expand high-level opening-up, expand independent and unilateral opening-up in an orderly manner, and implement zero-tariff treatment for 100% of taxable products from all least developed countries and African countries that have diplomatic relations with it. China will continue to expand and make good use of the visa-free policy, promote the facilitation of personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries, and share development opportunities with people of all countries.

The sails are strong as we continue on, and the right path goes straight and the world is wide. We must unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, comprehensively implement global governance initiatives, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and constantly create new situations in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.