By Ambassador Cong Song
Eighty years ago, “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind”, the international community jointly established the United Nations, pioneering a new practice in global governance.
However, 80 years later, unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism have been spreading unchecked across the world, while deficits in peace, development, security and trust continue to widen.
Reforming and improving global governance to address these challenges, while ensuring the United Nations plays its central role, has therefore, become a critical issue for the future of humanity.
In 2025, at the historic juncture marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascism War and the founding of the United Nations, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).
The initiative offers China’s answer to two important questions of our time: what kind of global governance system should be built, and how can global governance be reformed and improved?
Upon its introduction, the Global Governance Initiative quickly gained support from nearly 160 countries and international organisations.
To deepen understanding and build broader consensus, China on June 17, 2026, released a white paper titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions.”
The document outlines China’s principles, proposals and practical actions for improving global governance and advancing international cooperation.
At its core, the initiative seeks to address growing governance deficits through practical measures. It upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and promotes a vision of global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
Guided by the principles of sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach and practical action, the initiative provides a framework for building a more just and equitable global governance system.
Particular attention is given to the needs of developing countries. Through practical cooperation, the initiative has contributed to poverty reduction, improved livelihoods and efforts to bridge the digital divide.
It also proposes workable solutions to pressing global challenges, supports responses to major public crises and promotes the provision of international public goods.
Beyond this, it seeks to strengthen both North-South and South-South cooperation. While calling on developed countries to fulfil their international obligations, it also encourages developing nations to build solidarity and collective strength in pursuit of shared development.
China has consistently translated these principles into action.
In the area of security, China remains committed to the concept of universal and common security.
It has participated in 29 United Nations peacekeeping operations, promoted the joint statement by the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states on preventing nuclear war, and consistently advocated dialogue and negotiation as pathways to resolving conflicts.
These efforts have contributed to strengthening international collective security.
On economic development, China continues to champion openness and cooperation. It has become the main trading partner of more than 160 countries and regions and has achieved substantial progress in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
China has also granted zero-tariff treatment to the least-developed countries and African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with it, creating new opportunities for growth and injecting momentum into the global economy.
The country has equally played an active role in strengthening multilateral cooperation. China has supported the expansion of BRICS cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and championed the African Union’s membership in the G20.
It has also proposed initiatives to promote open and inclusive cooperation among Global South countries and led efforts to establish the International Organisation for Mediation.
Through these and other measures, China continues to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations while creating platforms for international governance cooperation.
China and Africa have long stood together on major international issues, jointly opposing hegemony and power politics.
Their relationship is rooted in shared historical experiences of colonial domination and external interference, as well as common aspirations for national independence, development and dignity.
Throughout history, the peoples of China and Africa have supported one another in struggles for national liberation and self-determination.
China continues to advocate the correction of historical injustices suffered by Africa. It supported the United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.
China also advocates increasing the representation and voice of developing countries, particularly African nations, within the United Nations Security Council.
It supports African countries in playing a greater role and exerting greater influence in global governance, especially within inclusive frameworks designed to address global challenges.
Ghana’s founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, once declared: “Forward ever, backward never.”
Those words continue to resonate today.
History moves forward, not backward. The international community must draw lessons from the devastation of past wars and resist any return to unilateralism, hegemonism and protectionism.
The challenges confronting the world require cooperation rather than confrontation, solidarity rather than division.
The Global Governance Initiative offers a pathway for responding to the demands of the present while preparing for the future. Though rooted in China’s experience, it seeks to benefit the wider international community.
Grounded in today’s realities and oriented towards long-term progress, it contributes ideas, practical solutions and renewed momentum to the advancement of human civilisation.
By working together to implement the Global Governance Initiative, countries can help build a more just and equitable system of global governance, advance the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity and deliver greater benefits to people across the world.
