By Jiang Zaidong
Last September, at the crucial historical juncture marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Initiative has sent a clear signal of holding high the banner of multilateralism, pooling the strength of solidarity, and pursuing a fair future. It aligns with the trend of the times toward greater democracy in international relations, bolsteres the international community’s firm confidence in practicing multilateralism, and provides a clear and feasible roadmap for improving global governance, thereby injecting precious stability and positive energy into the turbulent world.
The core philosophy of the GGI constitutes a comprehensive and logically rigorous scientific system. Sovereign equality is the primary prerequisite. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, should participate in, make decisions in, and benefit from global governance as equals. International rule of law is the fundamental guarantee. International laws and rules must be applied equally and uniformly, without double standards or imposing the “house rules” of a few countries on others. Multilateralism is the basic pathway. We must uphold the principle ofextensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and firmly safeguard the status and authority of the United Nations. A people-centered approach is the core value orientation. Outcomes of governance should benefit the people of all countries more extensively and equitably, and help bridge the North-South development gap. Action-oriented approach is the key to delivering results. We must pursue systematic planning and holistic advancement, create more visible outcomes, and avoid governance lag and fragmentation through practical cooperation.
Over the past year, the GGI has gained increasing traction and has been translated from a Chinese proposal into an international practice, demonstrating robust vitality, influence and appeal. Upon its launch, the Initiative swiftly garnered support and responses from nearly 160 countries and international organizations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was established successively in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, with over 60 countries eagerly joining to conduct intensive coordination on various global governance issues. President Xi Jinping delivered important speeches at the Virtual BRICS Summit, the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women and the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, steering global governance to advance with the times. China has successively released the Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative and the white paper titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions”, further clarifying its goals, principles and action plans. The International Organization for Mediation was officially launched in Hong Kong, China, and successfully resolved its first international maritime dispute. The World Data Organization and the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) were established in China in succession. At the UN Climate Summit, China announced its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions. As the SCO and BRICS continue to grow, the representation and voice of the Global South are constantly strengthening. These fruitful outcomes fully demonstrate that extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit is the aspiration of the international community, multilateralism is the universal consensus, and building a more just and equitable global governance system is our shared expectation.
Over the past year, Pakistan has consistently supported and practiced the GGI. Following President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the GGI, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced firm support on the spot, emphasizing that the Initiative is of great significance to world peace, development and stability. He described it as a historic step toward stronger multilateralism, which would help make the global governance system more responsive to the needs of developing countries and address common challenges facing humanity. At a critical stage of complex and evolving regional situation, President Xi Jinping put forward a Four-Point Proposition on Jointly Promoting Peace and Stability in the Middle East, which Prime Minister Shehbaz highly commended as a guiding plan for achieving peace. China and Pakistan also jointly proposed a Five-Point Initiative for Restoring Peace and Stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region, practicing the GGI through concrete actions. When meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz, President Xi Jinping commended Pakistan’s proactive role and its mediation efforts in restoring peace in the Middle East. As a founding member of the WAICO, Pakistan is actively promoting the establishment of a just and equitable global AI governance system. It is fair to say that Pakistan has always been at the forefront of practicing the GGI.
Looking to the future, we stand ready to work with Pakistan to continuously deepen the China-Pakistan friendship and jointly make deeper and more substantive advances in implementing the GGI. First, we will be partners in global governance and leaders in Global South cooperation. We are ready to work with the international community, including Pakistan, to firmly practice true multilateralism and uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. We will firmly safeguard the fruits of victory of World War II and resolutely oppose any attempt to revive fascism and militarism. We will promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly uphold the principles of free trade and the multilateral trading system. We will take an active part in global climate governance and in the development of rules and mechanisms in areas such as AI, support the Global South in pursuing strength through unity, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.
Second, we will be a model of multilateral cooperation and empower the development of the SCO. Pakistan has officially assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO. This is a major event for both the SCO family and Pakistan’s diplomacy, and we extend our warmest congratulations. China stands ready to actively support Pakistan’s rotating presidency along with other member states. We are ready to carry out exemplary cooperation with Pakistan within the SCO framework to practice the GGI. By favoring partnership and dialogue over alliance and confrontation, and by upholding extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, we will promote equal participation and universal benefits for all member states, guiding the reform and improvement of global governance through SCO actions.
Third, we will be a pacesetter for common development and enhance the well-being of the Chinese and Pakistani peoples. We are ready to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of the “CPEC 2.0”. Focusing on key areas such as industry, agriculture, mining and information technology, we will jointly build the five corridors of growth, livelihood, innovation, green development and openness. We will coordinate landmark projects with “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, including the “Hundred-Thousand-A Hundred Thousand” Program in Balochistan Province (building 100 water facilities, upgrading 1,000 classrooms, and distributing 100,000 school supply kits). This will ensure that people across all regions benefit from China-Pakistan cooperation, thus practicing the people-centered approach and action orientation through tangible and accessible outcomes.
As the Chinese saying goes, “If the momentum of the world does not rise, it will decline; if global governance does not advance, it will regress.” Global governance has reached a new crossroads: without progress, there is regression, and even slow progress is a form of regression. We are ready to work with our ironclad friend to address the uncertainties of the international landscape with the certainty of China-Pakistan relations. We will always remain at the forefront of implementing the GGI, setting a shining example for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, and making new and greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity!
H:E Jiang Zaidong, is the Ambassador of China to Pakistan
