中文
Lead: China's new white paper on global governance positions the country as an architect of a fairer world order.
By Nikola Mikovic
Competition is a major driver of growth, efficiency and innovation. In geopolitics, the absence of competition and the hegemony of one superpower create imbalance and erode accountability on the world stage.
Fully aware that the existing global order, established after World War II, is not sustainable in the long term, various foreign powers are seeking ways to reshape it. While many Western nations aim to preserve the system through selective changes that maintain their dominance, China offers a model that appears more just and balanced.
On Sept. 1, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus meeting held in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping officially proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), aiming to reform and improve the global governance system to make it more just, equitable and representative. Since then, Beijing has strongly emphasized the role of the United Nations, advocated for a greater voice for developing countries and opposed unilateral dominance in international affairs.
In other words, China is committed to making global institutions more representativeof developing countries and better aligned with the interests of the Global South, while promoting cooperation on issues like security, development and international order.
China does not appear to be alone in pursuing this vision. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the GGI swiftly gained support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations upon its introduction, with more than 60 countries joining the Group of Friends of Global Governance.
It is, therefore, no surprise that on June 17, Beijing issued another document – a white paper titled More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China's Principles, Proposals and Actions. The document contains a series of initiatives aimed at translating the GGI into practical cooperation, with plans ranging from stronger coordination on AI and sustainable development to new dialogue and dispute resolution platforms.
As a crucial part of the broader global governance framework, the Global Development Initiative focuses on addressing global development imbalances, delivering effective results, according to the white paper.
In security matters, the Global Security Initiative promotes settling disputes through dialogue and consultation while rejecting bloc-based rivalry and unilateral sanctions. In addressingglobal hotspot issues, China upholds the principles of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, political settlement of issues, objectivity and fairness, and addressing both symptoms and root causes, offering a new approach for finding constructive solutions to flashpoints.
The document specifically addresses ongoing conflicts around the world, with particular emphasis on Ukraine and the Middle East.
On the Ukraine crisis, the white paper statesthat China follows the four key principles as its fundamental guide, including promoting peace and stability, de-escalation of the conflict, support for restoring peace, and safeguarding world economy and global industrial and supply chain stability. Through this balanced approach, Beijing is committed to working with all sides to create conditions for a ceasefire and peace talks.
On the Middle East, Beijing is expected to maintain its balanced approach, supporting the two-state solution and promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question. China will continue to call for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in keeping with the principles set out in the five-point initiative unveiled by China and Pakistan on March 31.
While critics may view these proposals through the lens of strategic competition, the document stresses inclusivity and dialogue as guiding principles for addressing global challenges. Beyond ongoing conflicts, the white paper also places considerable attention on human development.
China's Global Civilization Initiative calls for valuing the diversity of cultures, fostering shared human values and strengthening dialogue and mutual learning between civilizations. Given that China is widely recognized as one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, with a history tracing back more than 5,000 years, it is no coincidence that Beijing attaches particular importance to cultural continuity and cooperation among civilizations.
The GGI aims to serve the common good of the international community, and turning the vision into concrete action requires major countries to shoulder responsibilities, multilateral mechanisms to play their role, and the international community to make joint efforts, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on June 18, discussing the white paper.
The GGI is also a key part of the document's treatment of economic globalization, which China has promoted for decades. Beijing broadly supports economic globalization, while favoring a model that rejects protectionism and unilateralism, ensuring equal participation for all nations.
"Let economic globalization penetrate the dark room of protectionism like fresh air and bright sunshine to the benefit of all," the white paper states, citing Xi's 2017 speech at the World Economic Forum, in which he compared protectionism to "locking oneself in a dark room."
China is therefore likely to maintain its support for globalization despite efforts by some in the West to promote protectionism. The white paper also frames these efforts as a contribution of "wisdom and strength" to human civilization, suggesting that China's development model can offer constructive input to global solutions.
The document presents China as an active participant in shaping global governance, positioning Beijing as a contributor rather than a challenger to the international system. Through initiatives spanning development, security, cultural exchangeand global governance, Beijing outlines a framework emphasizing cooperation, multilateralism and shared outcomes over confrontation or unilateral action.
Finally, it clearly signals that China's foreign policy vision is to create a more balanced and more representative global order. To achieve this goal, Beijing will need strong support from its partners around the world.
Nikola Mikovic is a freelance journalist in Serbia, covering mostly Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian foreign policy issues.
