Global Governance Initiative for Building a Peaceful and Better World Together
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand
Zhang Jianwei
In early September, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), at “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” meeting. It is another important public good China has provided to the international community following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. T
he GGI points the way and provides a practical pathway for reforming and improving the global governance system. It gives a strong boost to efforts to build a more just and equitable global governance system and usher in a community with a shared future for mankind.
The GGI is a timely response to the rapidly evolving changes of the century, frequent regional turmoil, impeded economic development, backlash against globalization and an intensifying deficit in governance.
First, the authority of the global governance system has been undermined. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter have not been effectively observed, and the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism remains paralyzed. Second, the effectiveness of the system is in urgent need of improvement. The U.N. needs to operate more efficiently, improve its ability to respond to emergencies, and become more transparent. Some countries have failed to fulfill their due responsibilities and obligations.
Third, the system is confronted with a serious lack of representation of the Global South. To maintain their hegemony and seek personal gains, some countries have long blocked the reform of multilateral institutions, and the representation and say of the vast number of developing countries are not fully reflected.
History has shown that the more difficulties we face, the more important it is to stay true to the principle of peaceful coexistence and remain steadfast in our belief in win-win cooperation. The initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping at this moment meets the common aspiration of people across the world and responds to the pressing needs. The initiative includes five core concepts:
First, staying committed to sovereign equality. This is the foremost premise of global governance. Countries, regardless of their size, strength and wealth, are entitled to independently choose their social systems and development paths and to participate and make decisions in international affairs as equals.
Greater democracy should be promoted in international relations to make the global governance system better reflect the interests and aspirations of the majority of countries and to increase the representation and say of developing countries.
Second, staying committed to international rule. This is the fundamental safeguard for global governance. Fairness and justice are what regional countries consistently pursue. It is important to fully and faithfully observe the basic norms of international relations such as the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and ensure equal and uniform application of international law. It is important to safeguard the authority of international law, promote equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all, and keep advancing the modernization of human society.
Third, staying committed to multilateralism. This is the basic pathway of global governance. To uphold true multilateralism, it is essential to resolutely safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. It is essential to follow the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. Practice of unilateralism and hegemonism must be rejected.
Fourth, staying committed to the people-centered approach. This is the underpinning value of global governance. It is important to ensure that people of all countries participate together and share the achievements of global governance. This will give people of all countries a stronger sense of fulfillment in building a community with a shared future for mankind, greater trust in solidarity in addressing challenges, and stronger cohesion for achieving common development.
Fifth, staying committed to real results. This is an important principle of global governance. The vitality of global governance comes from practice, the key lies in action, and the fundamental test is results. It is important to address both the immediate and longer-term concerns and solve the practical issues that countries, especially developing countries, care about. Developed countries need to earnestly fulfill their responsibilities and provide more resources and public goods. Developing countries need to seek strength through unity and make contributions within their capacity.
These elements of the initiative are consistent with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. They are designed to firmly support the central role of the United Nations in international affairs, and encourage countries to participate in the reform and improvement of the global governance system through the U.N. and other multilateral mechanisms.
China has developed within the existing international order. No matter how the international situation changes, China will continue to uphold the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, make China’s new development bring new opportunities to all countries, provide more certainty for world peace and development, and demonstrate China’s sense of responsibility and commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Having stood the test of time over the past 50 years, our two countries, as comprehensive strategic cooperative partners, are committed to building a more stable, more prosperous and more sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future.
Both China and Thailand have benefited from, upheld and contributed to the post-war international order. We both pursue peace, stability, development and prosperity, and share broad common interests and similar positions and propositions on regional and international issues.
As two major countries of the Global South, China and Thailand are important forces in reforming and improving global governance. China stands ready to work with Thailand to stand firmly on the right side of history, on the side of human progress, and on the side of multilateralism. Together, we will play an exemplary role in actively following through on the Global Governance Initiative and building a peaceful and better world.
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