Global level governance refers to collective management through norms, institutions and all the cooperative mechanisms to national boundaries. Historically dominated institutions like World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund and global governance are western led- institutions increasingly become the contestant terrain. Now China is rising as a global power with the aim to reshape the landscape through different initiatives by offering alternative visions and their practical mechanisms through initiatives like the Asian infrastructure investment bank and belt and road initiative and overall participation in multilateral forums, China manifested its approach to the global governance.
The foundation of China’s vision to global governance is basically rooted in the principle of multipolarity by rejecting the unilateral dominance of United States and western-led institutions. Core idea of this vision is a community of shared future for the welfare of mankind, basically articulated by President Xi Jinping. The idea and the philosophy emphasise the inclusivity, respect for sovereignty, mutual cooperative benefit and contrasting with the international liberal order that focus on interventionist policies and universal values. China have not the aim of authoritarian rule but it advocates to reforming the existing institutions to represent to developing countries while shedding light on building new initiatives and platforms that led to its global philosophy
In practical manifestations the most visible one is belt and road initiative basically launched in 2013 with the aim to enhance connectivity across Europe, Africa and Asia through improving trade, cultural exchange and infrastructure. China focuses on financing ports, energy projects and the railways, China’s position is like Big Brother and the provider of global public goods. For example the case study of China Pakistan economic corridor shows that how infrastructure diplomacy enhance trust, economic integration and stability at the regional level. Another case study of Africa and Europe shows the railway networks in Kenya and the port investments in Greece shows China role of reshaping the global trade routes.
In the United Nations, China also steadily increased its role and now it becomes the second largest contributor to the budget of United Nations by focusing on peacekeeping missions especially in Africa, In climate governance China also played significant role by committing to emissions reductions and the Paris agreement while advocating for responsibilities between developing and developed states as a leading participant.
In financial institutions China also established new institutions and, in some cases, challenging the western led financial institutions and governance. Like the case study of Asian infrastructure investment bank, that provides financing for the projects that refers to infrastructure enhancement with fewer political terms and conditions as compared to World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Another case study of Bricks bank, New Development Bank that also refers to an alternative platform especially for the emerging economies for financial development.
In terms of security governance, the Shanghai cooperation organization is highlighted as China promotes the regional security cooperation in the Central Asia. Shanghai cooperation organization basically addresses the issues like separatism, terrorism, extremism and also shedding light on economic collaboration, this shows that China prioritises regional stability and sovereignty.
In case of environmental governance China pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and positioning itself as Big Brother or a leader in global climate governance. China is the world’s biggest investor in terms of renewable energy and also promoted initiatives like green finance initiatives, all these efforts shed light on China’s recognition about the climate and environmental sustainability that is significant to global governance. In case of challenges and critics the China initiatives, The belt and road initiative being accused of death traps for the developing countries by raising concerns about dependency and sovereignty of states the governance standard and the transparency in Chinese institutions are often questioned and also tensions with western Institutions highlighted the competitive nature of China’s global governance model while some scholars criticised like it undermine the liberal norms of human rights and democracy.
In practical manifestations of China’s global governance is significantly tilted towards pluralistic global order rather than focusing on existing western led institutions that created a global hegemony. China basically wants to reform and complement them to the new mechanisms that reflect its priorities. The coexistence of Chinese models and western institutions also led to hybrid global governance structures but still the competition intensifies the geopolitical rivalries. In short, the trajectory of the global governance will depend on weather China’s initiative will foster cooperation or deepening the divisions. From The United Nations peacekeeping missions to climate leadership and belt and road initiative, China positioned itself as the creator of governance structures and reformer. The future of international order hinge on how this vision interacts with existing structural frameworks, shaping a balance between competition and cooperation in the decades ahead.
Participant of ICSF-UoS Fellowship Program 2025-26 at University of Sargodha.
