By He Yin, People’s Daily
On June 17, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions.
The document elaborates in depth on the historical context and significance of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). It comprehensively reviews China’s engagement in and contribution to shaping global governance and charts a clear path to a fairer and more equitable global governance system, helping foster broader international consensus.
Global governance concerns the well-being of all humanity, and building a just and equitable global governance system is a shared vision long pursued by people from across the world.
In 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the GGI, designed to offer a Chinese solution to the two pressing questions of the era: what kind of global governance system should be established, and how global governance can be reformed and improved.
The initiative is built on five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, the people-centered approach, and real results. By addressing the root causes of crises and challenges, the initiative provides sound guidance for building a more just and equitable global governance system.
The GGI has received widespread support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations upon its announcement, with over 60 countries joining the Group of Friends of Global Governance. The international community widely recognizes that the GGI aligns with the growing trend toward greater democracy in international relations and bolsters international confidence in practicing multilateralism. It brings valuable stability and positive energy to a turbulent world.
Resolutely upholding the UN’s authority and status is fundamental to the effective implementation of this initiative. The UN Charter lays the institutional cornerstone for global governance, and the UN-centered international system plays an irreplaceable and vital role in global governance.
By contrast, unilateralism and hegemonism cause only grave harm, openly trampling upon international law and the basic norms governing international relations, seriously disrupting the international order, and continuously eroding the foundations of trust in multilateral cooperation.
Regardless of how the international landscape shifts, China remains committed to genuine multilateralism. It consistently upholds the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
China adheres to a global governance system characterized by extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit and remains an active champion and strong proponent of multilateral cooperation.
Delivering on the GGI also hinges on major countries shouldering corresponding responsibilities. Major countries are the key forces in advancing international rule of law. They should lead by example in following rules and upholding the rule of law, rather than putting their own interests above international law or, even worse, imposing their own rules upon others.
If allowed to deviate from the principle of sovereign equality, international relations would degenerate into a game among powers, and international law would become groundless, leaving the world in perpetual chaos.
As a responsible major country, China advances the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and takes the lead in practicing true multilateralism. It has long remained a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods, while actively advancing the efforts for building a more just and equitable global governance system.
Advancing the GGI calls for unity and cooperation among all nations. Faced with multifaceted global challenges, countries should build consensus through dialogue, resolve disputes through consultation, and pursue win-win results through cooperation, striving to expand their common interests, so as to increase the synergy and efficiency of global governance.
China stands firmly for win-win cooperation, taking concrete actions to pursue harmonious coexistence and seeking its own success while helping others succeed. All countries need to unite and cooperate, take concrete action, and transform the vision and blueprint of the GGI into a roadmap and timeline for joint action. China advocates that the fruits of governance should be shared by all, so that every member of the international community becomes a winner.
Success in implementing the GGI hinges on addressing deficits in peace and development. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and humanity once again faces a choice: a future marked by peace, dialogue, and win-win cooperation, or one marred by war, confrontation, and zero-sum competition.
Countries must restore development to the center of the international agenda and support developing countries in enhancing their capacity for self-sustaining growth. They should also embrace the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security while addressing the threats to this stake — whether traditional or non-traditional.
China has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, with a focus on different domains and forming a complete action framework that promotes prosperity through development, ensures stability through security, enhances mutual trust through exchanges between civilizations, and seeks justice through governance. This demonstrates the sense of responsibility of a major country that integrates knowledge and action.
The GGI stands at the forefront of the era, serving as another significant public good that China has contributed to the world. It offers fresh momentum for building a community with a shared future for humanity and serves as a compass to help the great ship of history chart its course through turbulent waters.
China stands ready to work hand in hand with all other countries to implement the initiative, to push forward the great cause of reforming and improving global governance, and to build a better future.