Faced with the structural flaws of the international system, China proposes the Global Governance Initiative by promoting the principles of sovereignty, multilateralism and cooperation to address the common challenges of humanity.
A robot dances at the China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing, September 14, 2025.
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) on September 1 at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” meeting in Tianjin.
This is another key initiative by China on major issues concerning the future of humanity after the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSM) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), attracting widespread attention from the international community.
The current world is going through a profound transformation and human society is facing a series of serious challenges. How can developed and developing countries achieve mutual benefits and avoid trade protectionism? How to build a stronger global and regional security framework based on a new security approach? How can different civilizations achieve harmonious coexistence through dialogue and avoid confrontation? And how can we reform the global governance system to address common challenges and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity? The initiatives that China has proposed in the fields of development, security, civilization and governance directly target the fundamental problems of contemporary international relations and offer systemic solutions, being of crucial importance for building new types of international relations.
Global governance deficit and challenges of the times
So what is the meaning of global governance? Today’s world has become a global village, where the rights and interests of countries are deeply intertwined and interdependent. The common problems that countries face continue to multiply, covering areas as diverse as economic development, climate change, the environment, terrorism, nuclear security, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, outer space and migration. These problems not only affect the quality of internal governance of each country, but also threaten the stability of the global system.
Yet when countries tackle these issues, a “governance gap” is seen. Solving these problems requires resolute and effective collective action and not an “every man for himself” approach. Therefore, global cooperation and collective action are crucial.
Some might wonder why China is proposing a new initiative when there is already a global governance system in place. Many Western academics defend a “rules-based international order,” that is, a liberal vision of global governance. However, this system is often used by a handful of countries to maintain their hegemonic position. It is a “double standard” because the rules are respected when they are advantageous, but ignored when they become restrictive. The system of global governance established after World War II has certainly played a positive role in the past, but its inherent shortcomings, such as its strong hierarchy, its exclusive nature and its limited ability to generalize its benefits, have become increasingly evident in the face of worsening global problems. Moreover, with the increase in common challenges for humanity, the current system is running out of steam, and its reform has become an international consensus.
Foreign buyers inquire about sports equipment at the international market in Yiwu, Zhejiang, September 16, 2025.
Chinese proposals on global governance reform
According to what principles should this reform be carried out? China proposes five points: adhering to the principle of sovereign equality, respecting the international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, adopting a people-centered approach and being action-oriented.
Sovereign equality is the cornerstone of the post-war international order. Reform of the global governance system should not weaken the principle of sovereignty, but preserve the right of all countries, whether large or small, to participate in governance on an equal footing. The international rule of law emphasizes the use of universally recognized international legal standards and rules agreed by all countries to deal with common affairs. Multilateralism adheres to the principle known as “consultation, synergy and sharing” and promotes the democratization of international relations. The human-centered approach requires equitable access to the benefits of global governance for the greatest number of countries and their populations. Action orientation emphasizes that the governance of global issues must be based on clear planning, effective execution and concrete results.
If many global problems escape effective governance, it is because these principles have not been well followed. Some countries, which defend the liberal vision of global governance, practice interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of “freedom”, undermining the principle of sovereign equality. They place their own rules above international rules, or form exclusive blocs under the guise of multilateralism. The fruits of global governance are captured by a minority rather than the majority of countries and populations. Moreover, political polarization and confrontation within some major countries leads them to veto international cooperation agreements or withdraw from international organizations, seriously affecting the actions and effectiveness of global governance. Peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom are common values of humanity. If a system of governance causes unrest, interference, poverty and chaos in the world, then it goes against the progress of human civilization.
IGM aims to improve rather than subvert
In Western academic and political circles, there is an opinion that China’s proposed initiatives aim to wipe out the existing international order and replace it from top to bottom. This interpretation does not correspond to reality. China emphasizes sovereign equality precisely to preserve the international system centered on the United Nations; it advocates the rule of international law in order to consolidate the order that results from it; it defends the principle known as “consultation, synergy and sharing” to promote the democratization of international relations; it favors action and efficiency for global governance which requires international solidarity and cooperation. At pivotal moments in human evolution, China is always committed to being a constructive force to promote the progress of history.
It is essential for both China and the world to build a more egalitarian and less hierarchical system of global governance. The IGM proposed by China is neither closed nor exclusive; on the contrary, it constitutes an open solution based on a thorough understanding of the laws governing the evolution of international relations. All those who adhere to rationality and morality, and seek peace and development, can only subscribe to this initiative. It is precisely in this universality that its vital force resides.
*SU CHANGHE is professor and dean of the Faculty of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University.
