The world has evolved many folds since the end of The Cold War. We see many powers rising and falling in a span of a few decades, but what has and always will be a spectacle to behold, is the rise of China. China with faith in honor, resilience, Chinese Socialistic Character and Taoism; The honorable Chinese President Xi Jinping, under the ever-watchful vision of His Excellency’s Predecessors, is dynamically leading the nation to Dream China. His Excellency’s vision is an exemplary monument to be used as an inspiration as his governance has lifted 60 million out of poverty, 13 million urban jobs annually, pursuance of environmental excellence with 4500 km long Great Green Wall along Gobi Desert and variety of infrastructural and social development event in China are evidence of His Excellency’s sincere leadership for development of his people and Successful Governance. BRI has almost gone up to 127 countries, with a mind blowing 5 trillion USD in trade and expanding up to 4.6 billion people in terms of access. The vision isn’t far off when China is strong, culturally advance, harmonious and beautiful by end of this century. His Excellency’s vision is to bridge the inequality of development between the Western and Eastern region of China, and it does not stop at China, it will carry the world into a new era of Sovereign Equality by upholding International Law. The Initiative also focuses on Multilateralism by taking a people centered approach, and by focusing on tangible results and implementation rather than just Principles.
China’s UN 2.0 vision is not to break the contemporary order but a strategic reform of the current one to mirror its principles. The UN is dominated by Western Hegemonic order which should be shifted to a sovereignty-centric order. This can be done by the empowerment of “Global South” And regional spheres, while keeping in mind the sovereignty and states integrity in mind.
China operates by integrating it’s two main projects, GSI and GDI into UN frameworks. It directs discourse, resources and programs towards a development first, state led paradigm in line with its foreign policy through its financial aid and expanding workforce within UNO. Similarly, China seeks to amalgamate its initiatives with global frameworks, ultimately shaping UN’s priorities and norms into “win-win” For all.
What do we mean by “true multilateralism”? China believes this era to the perfect time to promote the “True Multilateralism” Which is China’s vision to cooperate openly with all countries, in opposed to the “close circles” Of the US. China has promoted it’s GSI, GDI, GCI across the world on many regional and international forums, especially Asia, Africa, The Pacific Islands, Latin America and Middle East. It’s a grand project to merge with traditional institutions like the UN.
What is Global Governance Initiative? And how will it change the world?
To put it simple words, since the dawn of 2022 China has gone into overdrive mode, as Chinese officials have embarked on a campaign that has gone worldwide to promote China’s New Global Governance, which includes Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Developmental Initiative (GDI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). These initiatives are a part of Global Governance Initiative (GGI).
GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE
In 2022, The excellency, Xi Jinping proposed the GSI at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. GSI’s stated aim is to promote common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, uphold sovereignty as the fundamental norm in international relations, codify the centrality of the UN, peacefully resolve disputes and maintain stability in both traditional and non-traditional domains. Contrary to claims that Beijing seeks to completely upend the current global international order, the GSI represents an attempt to reshape that order by incorporating China’s concept of international security. As a result, the GSI reaffirms the UN as the core international system. The GSI incorporates China’s long-standing principles of peaceful co-existence as well as newly adopted concepts such as “indivisible security” which traces its roots to the 1975 Helsinki Accords.
China’s message with regards to Russia-Ukraine war, has emphasized that both Russia and Ukraine have legitimate security concerns, and NATO’s expansion was a threat to Russia. The promotion of indivisible security is also important for China, so that they can gain and international recognition regarding the Taiwan and South China issue. Chinese officials said Beijing’s positive relations with Riyadh and Tehran enabled it to play a constructive role in resolving tensions between the two countries. In this way, the GI seeks to discredit Washington’s military alliance system, which is seen as exacerbating regional conflicts, in contrast to China’s more flexible forms of partnership diplomacy. China’s use of GSI is limited to disputes that align with its strategic interests, emphasizing dialogue and consultation without compromising its core interests. While easing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran may diminish US influence, China is unlikely to pursue any personal gain, as it goes against what His Excellency, Xi Jinping stands for.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Xi Jinping proposed GDI at 76th Session of the United Nation’s General Assembly in September 2021. Like GSI, the GDI also stands to promote China’s long-standing foreign policy principles that it claims to support, such as win-win and inclusive development. GDI priorities development cooperation in 8 areas: poverty alleviation, food security, pandemic response and vaccines, financing development, industrialization, the digital economy and digital connectivity. To achieve the goals of GDI China embeds the initiative with UN and BRICS using South-South Cooperation Fund. Also “Group of Friends of the GDI” no joined by nearly 70 countries has worked on 100 practical projects. They work on Food security by introducing Juncao Tech in Africa, Water Purification in Pacific island nations, China-ASEAN maternal and Child health project, broadband and e-government services in the Caribbean and vocational “Luban workshops” in Ethiopia and Pakistan.
GLOBAL CIVILIZATION INITIATIVE
Unveiled on 15 March 2023, during Xi Jinping’s meeting with world leaders, the GCI stands as the newest of all 3 initiatives. It presents the all-round concept for human development. His Excellency showed great leadership, when he mentioned that humanity not only requires security and economic subsistence, but also cultural and spiritual development. GCI promotes acceptance of different political systems and culture based on “harmony through difference”, coexistence not confrontation, and to gain time and space to build a world of tolerated differences.
CONCLUSION
China’s initiative is steadily proving to a be game changer for China and its allies. Taken together, the three initiatives reveal China’s intent to introduce new concepts of development, security and global governance. Contrary to claims, this isn’t China’s move to upend the world order but rather its Beijing’s aim to reshape world order to reflects China’s interests, priorities and interests.
Participant of ICSF-UoS Fellowship Program 2025-26 at University of Sargodha.
