The globe is now facing new challenges like never in past years. Past problems like conflicts, war and climate change still exist and new advancements that are AI and technological advancement are becoming more serious. World is thinking that how should we response such changes. To tackle these problems, China has started different kind of initiatives in several ways:
– For the challenge of peace, GCI has started to promote the understanding of different civilizations.
-GDI has initiated for deficit of development for international cooperation.
-To reduce the security concerns, GSI encouraged resolving conflicts.
-For the gap of governance, GGI focuses on reshaping global regulation system.
Global Development Initiative: It’s an initiative in complementing the global development gaps in developing regions like Asia, Africa and Latin America. China has invested more than $3.8 billion in GDI projects.180+ projects like environment friendly energy stations, digital training programs and poverty alleviation exchanges are registered by 2023. Economic growth ,food security and education should improve. Healthcare and vaccinations are also included to improve the living standards of the people. It’s main role is to fulfill the gap between North and South.
Limitations: GDI is ambitious but here are some points to note as well. It doesn’t provide full detail, timelines and funding numbers. Some observers say that it may serve like soft power tool to enhance China’s image globally. The scale of execution is uncertain. While the cooperation projects have been known globally and in the developing regions, it remains to be seen how effectively the GDI’s objectives will be fulfilled, especially for the challenges like climate change, debt weight and governmental unrest.
Global Security Initiative: The step that was taken in 2022 for the universal security by China is GSI. No State can gain security at the cost of the other. It does not based on military blocs or exclusive alliances. Every state should respect each other’s integrity by non interference and by promoting negotiations instead of sanctions ( also undermining the use of force).
Mediation efforts has been done by China in several global issues and providing platforms for discussing every type of security issues. China is one of the largest United Nations peacekeeping contributor and do joint training with different countries and sharing Anti Narcotics programs. Every country can take benefit from GSI whether they care for environmental security, health or regional conflicts because it’s goals are global security.
Limitations: There are some limitations of GSI as well. It’s broadness makes China less accountable. There is lack of formal membership which can show symbolic support. Some critics say that it is established for countering US’s influence. It’s very dominant point to discuss that GSI is playing it’s role in countering the dominancy of West and it’s unfriendly security order.
Global Civilization Initiative: The concept is generated to respect diversity through harmony. The idea of superiority should not be accepted. It’s purposes are support peace, justice democracy, freedom for universal values but explained through cultural heritage.
Practically development by cultural exchange programs, Building shared future by Confucius Institutes, Scholarships, tourism and youth forums to counter the Western Educational dominance.
The GCI is actually not as the alternative of Western dominant order but to accept the harmony of the civilizations. Diversity in civilizations is not threat but exposure of meeting different cultures and exchange of thoughts. The GCI is not working for the democracies or other political issues but to gather the people through culture, history and opportunities. Big states like China and India can easily win this culture race due to their rich culture history but it’s quite difficult for the states with limited territories and population . The blurred boundaries between many societies complicate the efforts to bordered civilizations. GCI appreciate those who value cultural identity, asserting that culture and values are not barriers but supporters of their growth.
Criticism: It shows soft power diplomacy rather than structured global policy. The idea of equality is too idealistic. West criticizes that China is using he civilizational lens to position itself as the dominant figure of the non- Western bloc.
Global Governance Initiative: Last but not the least, the GGI is established for governance. China advocates updating the UN governance, International Institutions and their disputes settlement system. It plays the role of global umbrella which gathers the other initiatives. SCO is working for security, economy, culture and governance structure for Eurasia. Sovereignty is for all the states ignoring the size and power. It’s not for dominance but for delivering real results that improve people’s lives.
With the sudden wars across the globe and the undermining of role of International Institutions, the global political order is eroding day by day ( loss of trust and security). China has emerged with the concept of Global Governance Initiative , offering the promise of reforming the deteriorating system. It is just the winner of inclusivity with the growth of new vision “rules for all”. It is not in favor of Unilateralism because it builds walls instead of bridges. This initiatives engages the previous initiatives together.
Criticism: Some critics do criticism that it is raising threat to existing systems. China is expanding its influence through such steps. But practically it says different. China promotes cooperation rather than conflict. They seek competition which does not mean undermining others. This plays role as invitation to others to join the global platforms and perform their positive roles.
Conclusion: Collectively, China’s attempt to reframe the global order around the principles of development-centric cooperation and civilization harmony. Their strength lies in offering rise to new power in the world order. These initiatives highlight huge value based disputes in 21st century, if executed with genuine multilateralism and respect for others. These initiatives could enhance global oversight. In the time period of geopolitical tensions, widening development issues and the institutional undermining, these initiatives offers solutions to the structure problems. They are trying to move the world away from the bloc politics, ideological differences and governance dominated by some powerful states. Although these are not free from criticisms but they more evolve into useful strategies and placed China at the center of debate for the vision of shared future.
Participant of ICSF-UoS Fellowship Program 2025-26 at University of Sargodha.
