Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Since the 21st century, the world has experienced changes unseen in a century. Eastern developing countries, represented by China, India and ASEAN states, have seen their comprehensive national strength rise rapidly, and the Asia-Pacific region has become the most dynamic part of the global economy and a major engine of growth. By contrast, Western developed countries led by the US have experienced a relative decline in power and influence. Against this backdrop, many countries are striving to maintain strategic initiative, while the trend toward multipolarity is accelerating.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. China has grown rich and become strong. Historical experience shows that a country often faces the greatest pressure and risks at two stages: When it is impoverished and weak - when backwardness invites aggression, and when it is revitalizing and rising - when established powers seek to contain it. At present, and for some time to come, China is in a stage of being strong but not yet fully strong, where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertainty is increasing. "The great changes unseen in a century" and "the new era" define both the global environment and China's national conditions during this period. 

On September 1, at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). This is the fourth global initiative proposed by President Xi, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. The GGI focuses on the major questions of what kind of global governance system is needed and how to reform and improve it - issues of deep concern and urgent importance to Global South countries. The initiative provides theoretical guidance and practical direction for reforming and improving the existing global governance system, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, injecting strong intellectual momentum into these efforts.

Closely aligned with - and innovatively developing - the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the GGI better meets the urgent needs of today's world. It offers Chinese solutions and contributes Chinese wisdom to help the international community overcome the challenges of the times, address governance deficits, and effectively respond to risks and challenges. It points the way forward, demonstrates China's responsibility as a major country, and has won positive recognition and support from the vast majority of countries and international organizations, including the UN.

China is both the originator and advocate of the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit in global governance, as well as a pragmatic actor and active promoter of the GGI. China has made positive contributions by advancing Belt and Road cooperation, promoting BRICS expansion and the operation of the New Development Bank, driving the development of the SCO, upholding the international system with the UN at its core, maintaining the international order based on international law, and respecting the basic norms of international relations grounded in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Additionally, China has proposed important solutions and initiatives in areas such as artificial intelligence and climate change.

Within the UN framework, China has actively participated in peacekeeping, distant-sea escort missions and international rescue operations, providing high-quality public security goods to the international community and making positive contributions to global security governance. These efforts have earned widespread praise from recipient countries and the international community, reinforcing China's reputation as a responsible major country that the majority of the world can trust and rely on.

The facts fully demonstrate that China's development strengthens world peace in global governance, and that the growth of China's military capabilities enhances its ability to safeguard national interests and contribute to the maintenance of world peace.

The author is former vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences and a research fellow. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn