“Pooling the Strength of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to Improve Global Governance.”
At a critical juncture when global governance is like rowing upstream, which either advances or retreats, President Xi proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI)
Background of GGI
President Xi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. It is a milestone prompting us to remember the past and create a better future together.
Eighty years ago, the international community learned profound lessons from the scourge of two world wars and founded the U.N., thus writing a new page in global governance. Eighty years later, the world has found itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation, and global governance has come to a new crossroads.
History tells us that at difficult times, we must uphold our original commitment to peaceful coexistence, strengthen our confidence in win-win cooperation, advance in line with the trend of history, and thrive in keeping pace with the times.
China will work with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system and advance toward a community with a shared future for humanity.
| Five Core Concepts of GGI |
 1. Staying committed to sovereign equality |
| This is the foremost premise of global governance. Sovereign equality is the most important norm governing state-to-state relations, and the foremost principle observed by the U.N. and all other international institutions and organizations. The essence of sovereign equality is that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have their sovereignty and dignity respected, their domestic affairs free from external interference, the right to independently choose their social system and development path, and the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance process as equals. Greater democracy should be promoted in international relations to make the global governance system better reflect the interests and aspirations of the majority of countries and to increase the representation and say of developing countries. |
2. Staying committed to international rule of law |
| This is the fundamental safeguard for global governance. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter are universally recognized basic norms of international relations. They must be upheld unwaveringly. In emerging areas, international rules should be formulated on the basis of extensive consensus. International law and rules must be applied equally and uniformly, without any double standards or imposition. The authority and solemnity of international law must be upheld. Major countries, in particular, must take the lead in advocating and defending the international rule of law. |
 3. Staying committed to multilateralism |
| This is the basic pathway of global governance. Multilateralism is the core concept of the existing international system and international order. The principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit must be upheld. Global affairs should be decided by all, the governance system built by all, and the fruits of governance shared by all. Practice of unilateralism must be rejected. The U.N. is the core platform for practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance, whose role must be enhanced, not weakened. Other global and regional multilateral institutions should give play to their respective strengths and play a constructive role. All discriminatory and exclusionary arrangements should be avoided. |
4. Staying committed to the people-centered approach. |
| This is the underpinning value of global governance. The people of all nations are the fundamental actors in global governance, and their well-being is its ultimate benefit. The global governance system must meet the people’s needs and consistently foster their confidence and belief in a stable future in order to be extensively supported and effective. It must seek improvement through reforms in order to inspire, among peoples of all countries, a greater sense of fulfillment through accelerated common development, a greater sense of safety through more effective response to humanity’s common challenges and a greater sense of well-being through advancing the common interests of different countries and communities. |
 5. Staying committed to real results. |
| This is an important principle of global governance. Effective global governance is essentially one that resolves real problems. Given the close links among various issues, global governance should be carried out in a more coordinated, systematic and holistic way. It must address both root causes and symptoms to find sustainable solutions. It must both tackle pressing issues and take into account long-term challenges. Developed countries should earnestly take on their responsibilities and provide more resources and public goods. Developing countries, on their part, should pull together for strength and do their best for the world. |
| On GGI |
| “The Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping came at the right time as the world is fraught with challenges, including frequent regional unrest, slowed economic growth and the rise of anti-globalization. The spirit of the initiative is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China will continue to uphold multilateralism, championing unity over division and cooperation over confrontation.” —— Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister |
