HE Cao Xiaolin
The Chinese government released a white paper entitled, More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions in June 2026. The document outlines China’s philosophy, proposals and practical efforts on global governance. Its purpose is to build broader international consensus, enhance the world’s capacity to address global challenges, and promote the development of a more just and equitable system of global governance.
The core philosophy of this vision is the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), proposed by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China. At the historic juncture marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations in 2025, President Xi Jinping formally put forward the Global Governance Initiative, offering China’s solution to one of the defining questions of our time: what kind of global governance system the world needs, and how it should be reformed and improved.
The GGI calls for firmly upholding the international system with the United Nations at its core, safeguarding the international order underpinned by international law, and preserving the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, rather than creating an alternative framework.
Since its launch, the GGI has received active support and positive responses from nearly 160 countries and international organisations. More than 60 countries have joined the Group of Friends of Global Governance. The international community widely regards the GGI as sending a clear message in support of multilateralism, solidarity and a fairer future. It provides a practical roadmap for improving global governance while injecting much-needed stability and positive momentum into an increasingly turbulent world.
Today’s world is witnessing simultaneous geopolitical conflicts, an accelerating reshaping of the international order, growing fragmentation of the global economy, and a new wave of technological and industrial transformation driven by artificial intelligence. We are living in an era of profound changes unseen in a century. Against this backdrop, the world needs, more than ever before, to reinvigorate multilateralism, uphold the rule of law in international affairs, and strengthen the effectiveness of global governance.
The GGI is built upon five core principles that offer a timely response to the pressing challenges confronting the world today.
First, upholding sovereign equality. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, are equal members of the international community. Every country’s sovereignty and dignity must be respected, and all countries are equally entitled to participate in, deliberate on, and benefit from global governance.
Second, complying with the international rule of law. A global governance system that is grounded in the rule of law can provide all countries with a fair and just environment for development, achieve a balance between rights and obligations, and make international order more just and equitable.
Third, practicing multilateralism. No country can achieve development outside the global governance system, nor can it secure a future without participating in international cooperation. Multilateral mechanisms are therefore indispensable for addressing global challenges and remain the only viable path forward.
Fourth, adopting a people-centered approach. The people of all nations are the fundamental actors in global governance, and their well-being is its ultimate benefit. The purpose of the global governance system is to deliver tangible benefits to the people while boosting public confidence, and meeting public expectations.
Fifth, emphasising real actions. Global governance finds its source of vitality in practice, hinges on action, and is verified by its effectiveness. A vision is realised only through concrete action. It falls on the international community to turn this vision into reality – setting common goals, embracing a problem-oriented approach, and acting in concert.
Guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, China has actively worked to promote a more just and equitable global governance system. China advocates the principles of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, resolving disputes through political means, upholding objectivity and impartiality, and addressing both symptoms and root causes. These principles have been translated into a distinctively Chinese approach to resolving international hotspot issues, yielding widely recognized and constructive results.
On the Palestinian question, China facilitated the adoption by the UN Security Council of the first resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza following the latest outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza, unequivocally supports the two-State solution, and remains committed to promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question.
China has also played an active role in advancing reconciliation. It successfully facilitated the historic rapprochement and restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March, 2023. Fourteen Palestinian factions gathered in China in July, 2024 for reconciliation talks and signed the Beijing Declaration, helping to foster a growing momentum for reconciliation across the Middle East.
With regard to the current conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, China has put forward a four-point proposal to safeguard and promote peace and stability in the Middle East: upholding the principle of peaceful coexistence, respecting national sovereignty, adhering to the rule of international law, and staying committed to a balanced approach to development and security. China, together with Pakistan, issued a five-point initiative on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the broader Middle East, making constructive efforts toward the early restoration of lasting peace in the region.
As members of the Global South, China and Qatar share broad common ground in upholding multilateralism, advancing common development, and safeguarding international fairness and justice. Both countries have made positive contributions to reforming and improving the global governance system.
Qatar has established itself as an important advocate for peace and development, and has played a distinctive mediating role in addressing many regional and international hotspot issues, consistently advocating dialogue and consultation over confrontation, opposing the indiscriminate use of force, and working tirelessly to promote ceasefires, reconciliation and peace. These efforts have earned Qatar recognition from the international community.
China stands ready to work with Qatar and all other countries to implement the GGI, firmly uphold the central role of the United Nations, fully harness the growing strength of the Global South, and make unremitting efforts to build a fairer and more equitable system of global governance.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Peninsula's editorial policy.
