BY NARGIS MUQIMZODA
Journalist of TV Channel Independent TV Tajikistan
The initiative put forward by PRC President Xi Jinping to create a “more just and equitable global governance system” represents a breakthrough in the modern world. This five-point initiative marks an evolution of the earlier, passive foreign policy doctrine known as the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. ”
For more than half a century, this concept has defined the fundamental principles of Chinese foreign policy. They comprised the following five points: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non‑aggression, non‑ interference in each other’s internal affairs, equal and mutually beneficial relations, and peaceful coexistence with other countries of the world. Notably, the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” were formulated following a territorial dispute between China and India that took place in 1953–1954.
The Global Governance Initiative has complemented a series of other global initiatives put forward by the Chinese leader in recent years (regarding global development, civilization and security). It not only represents an adaptation of China’s foreign policy doctrine to contemporary realities but is also, in a sense, linked to hopes for improved China-Indian relations.
The Global Governance Initiative aligns with the aspirations of countries representing the global majority to build a more just world. It advocates for sovereign equality, adherence to the principles of international law, a “people-first” approach, and a focus on action. There is no room for hegemony or coercion in China’s vision of global governance. This is precisely what makes it appealing to countries of the Global South.
Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative—the latest in a series of foreign policy initiatives (the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative)—essentially represents China’s comprehensive stance on the evolution of global governance. It is important to understand that none of these concepts constitutes an action program or a reform plan for any specific sector. Rather, they represent a detailed Chinese vision around which Beijing intends to build a support base, primarily among nations of the Global South.
The ultimate goal is the gradual transformation of global institutions and rules of conduct on the international stage—in essence, the incremental shaping of a new international order that aligns with China’s vision and interests. Having become disillusioned with its previous efforts, China plans to reconfigure governance institutions—working alongside BRICS+ and SCO+ partners, engaging friendly regional groupings ranging from the EAEU to ASEAN, and leveraging new development banks and innovations in payment systems.
It is also clear, however, that the task breaks down into complex systems of equations centered on a key unknown: how to establish effective global governance on a non-hegemonic basis.
For the first time in decades, China is putting forward its own global idea—a concept of global governance. Previously, Beijing primarily spoke of open borders for trade and non‑discriminatory measures in the regulation of trade, economic, and political relations, but it did not advance a comprehensive concept. Now, China feels strong enough to speak about the future of the world, marking a shift to a fundamentally new stage in how the country positions itself.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.