Contributing China’s wisdom to improve global governance
On September 1, 2025, the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus” Meeting was successfully held in Tianjin, China. At the Meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), followed by the GGI Concept Paper released by the Chinese Government on the same day. The GGI has been well received in the international community, and many countries and international organizations have expressed welcome and support for the Initiative. As another important global public good that China has contributed to the world following the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), the GGI is of important practical significance in addressing global issues and challenges, further contributing China\'s wisdom and presenting China\'s solution to strengthen and improve global governance.
The GGI has five core concepts, namely, adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.
Sovereign equality is the foremost premise of global governance. All countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, have the equal rights to participate in international affairs. The unequal situation in which a few countries monopolize global governance should no longer continue.
International law is the fundamental safeguard for global governance. International law and international rules are common standards, which should be jointly formulated, maintained, and implemented by all countries, and there should be no exception.
Multilateralism is the basic pathway of global governance. Global governance is a matter for all countries and concerns the vital interests of each country. It needs coordination and cooperation rather than unilateralism and bullying.
The people-centered approach is the underpinning value of global governance. At its core, global governance is about turning people\'s longing for a better life into reality and jointly building a world in which all can enjoy affluence and well-being.
Taking real actions is an important principle of global governance. The vitality of global governance comes from practice, with the key lying in action and the ultimate test in results. It is necessary to focus on both the present and the long term, and to address the practical issues concerned by all countries, especially the vast number of developing countries.
By proposing GGI, China does not mean to overturn the existing international order, but to reform and improve the existing international system and international institutions. 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. The U.N. is the core platform for practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance, whose role must be enhanced, not weakened. China firmly supports the U.N.’s central role in international affairs, and encourages all countries to participate in the reform and development of the global governance system within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, so that the global governance system will keep pace with the times and respond more effectively to contemporary challenges.
By Proposing GGI, China does not mean to form bloc confrontation, but to reaffirm its commitment for effective multilateralism. President Xi once pointed out that the problems facing the world are intricate and complex, the way out of them is through upholding multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for humanity. China firmly believes that 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. Practice of unilateralism must be rejected.
By proposing GGI, China aims to promote greater democracy in international relations and to safeguard the interests of Global South. The Global South is seriously underrepresented in existing international institutions, and with the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries, it’s necessary to boost the representation of the Global South and redress historical injustice. China stays committed to sovereign equality and believes that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance process as equals. The international community should strive 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.
The world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with frequent regional turmoil, impeded economic development, backlash against globalization, gaps in rules and rule of law, and an intensifying deficit in governance. Against this backdrop, the GGI comes at the right time, responding to the common aspirations of people in all countries and meeting the urgent needs of the world today. As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and the largest developing country, China has consistently fulfilled its international obligations and all along been a staunch builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of the international order and provider of public goods.
Last year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit has demonstrated the strong solidarity between China and Africa and sent a powerful message of our joint commitment to upholding international justice. Namibia, as a child of the international solidarity, has long been dedicated to safeguarding international fairness and justice. As important members of the Global South, China and Namibia share similar positions on defending multilateralism, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, and advancing the reform of the global governance system. China remains committed to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and stands ready to strengthen joint efforts with all parties including Namibia to explore ways to reform and improve global governance and open up a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.
*Zhao Weiping is China\'s ambassador to Namibia.**
The GGI has five core concepts, namely, adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.
Sovereign equality is the foremost premise of global governance. All countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, have the equal rights to participate in international affairs. The unequal situation in which a few countries monopolize global governance should no longer continue.
International law is the fundamental safeguard for global governance. International law and international rules are common standards, which should be jointly formulated, maintained, and implemented by all countries, and there should be no exception.
Multilateralism is the basic pathway of global governance. Global governance is a matter for all countries and concerns the vital interests of each country. It needs coordination and cooperation rather than unilateralism and bullying.
The people-centered approach is the underpinning value of global governance. At its core, global governance is about turning people\'s longing for a better life into reality and jointly building a world in which all can enjoy affluence and well-being.
Taking real actions is an important principle of global governance. The vitality of global governance comes from practice, with the key lying in action and the ultimate test in results. It is necessary to focus on both the present and the long term, and to address the practical issues concerned by all countries, especially the vast number of developing countries.
By proposing GGI, China does not mean to overturn the existing international order, but to reform and improve the existing international system and international institutions. 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. The U.N. is the core platform for practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance, whose role must be enhanced, not weakened. China firmly supports the U.N.’s central role in international affairs, and encourages all countries to participate in the reform and development of the global governance system within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, so that the global governance system will keep pace with the times and respond more effectively to contemporary challenges.
By Proposing GGI, China does not mean to form bloc confrontation, but to reaffirm its commitment for effective multilateralism. President Xi once pointed out that the problems facing the world are intricate and complex, the way out of them is through upholding multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for humanity. China firmly believes that 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. Practice of unilateralism must be rejected.
By proposing GGI, China aims to promote greater democracy in international relations and to safeguard the interests of Global South. The Global South is seriously underrepresented in existing international institutions, and with the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries, it’s necessary to boost the representation of the Global South and redress historical injustice. China stays committed to sovereign equality and believes that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance process as equals. The international community should strive 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.
The world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, with frequent regional turmoil, impeded economic development, backlash against globalization, gaps in rules and rule of law, and an intensifying deficit in governance. Against this backdrop, the GGI comes at the right time, responding to the common aspirations of people in all countries and meeting the urgent needs of the world today. As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and the largest developing country, China has consistently fulfilled its international obligations and all along been a staunch builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of the international order and provider of public goods.
Last year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit has demonstrated the strong solidarity between China and Africa and sent a powerful message of our joint commitment to upholding international justice. Namibia, as a child of the international solidarity, has long been dedicated to safeguarding international fairness and justice. As important members of the Global South, China and Namibia share similar positions on defending multilateralism, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, and advancing the reform of the global governance system. China remains committed to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and stands ready to strengthen joint efforts with all parties including Namibia to explore ways to reform and improve global governance and open up a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.
*Zhao Weiping is China\'s ambassador to Namibia.**
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