Illustration: VCG

Editor's Note:

Recently, an international symposium themed "Upholding Multilateralism and Promoting Global Governance," hosted by the Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, was held in the Blue Room of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Against the backdrop of intertwined international changes and increasingly prominent global challenges, the overwhelming majority of countries have come to recognize the imperative of safeguarding the authority of international rule of law and actively promoting the reform and improvement of global governance. This article selects highlights from the symposium.

Be prepared for addressing three global challenges

Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change 

From a global perspective, we must recognize that three trends remain unchanged. First, the process of globalization remains unchanged. Even without the US, global multipolarity will continue to develop. Second, economic globalization is irreversible. Since the end of the Cold War, the process of globalization has achieved the universality of global markets and the diversity of global supply chains. Third, multilateralism is unlikely to be reversed. The US has not completely withdrawn from multilateralism, and will continue to participate in some multilateral organizations to maintain its governance over the world. 

The international order has been largely effective for the past 80 years and will continue to survive in the future. Major powers and all nations must be prepared for addressing three global challenges. First, preventing war, especially world wars and nuclear conflicts. Second, effectively responding to climate change. Third, properly managing artificial intelligence. If these three issues are not managed well, humanity could enter an era of self-destruction, which is a critical concern.

Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta, ambassador of Timor-Leste to China

I think this is going to be possible for all of us - not to rely so much on the US, or any one power. Many rising powers are assuming more active roles. Several African nations - South Africa, Nigeria and the Republic of Senegal - are assuming far more responsibilities related to cooperation and development. In the Middle East, countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar play important roles in solving their own problems. Despite all the challenges, trade between China and ASEAN surpassed $1 billion last year. So, I think we need to be open to options.

Lynette Mwende Ndile, Chargé d'Affaires a.i., embassy of Kenya in China 

It's obvious that we are currently operating in a context of fragmentation. We can view this period as a time of reform. Collectively, we need to push for the reform of the global financing architecture. When you come from the African context, you see that resources have been depleted from key development agendas, for example, infrastructure, health, and education. Those financing mechanisms have to adapt to climate change. The reform of the global financing architecture is actually the agenda which will follow global governance. The second area of reform is needed if the UN is not fit to handle the crisis and issues before us. We should come up with customized solutions for challenges. 

Navigating the complex and multi-faceted international landscape by proactively forging a multidimensional strategy 

Huang Jin, president of Chinese Society of International Law

At this historical crossroad, China upholds its responsibility as a major country and proposes the Global Governance Initiative aimed at building a community with a shared future for humanity. I believe that the initiative holds significant importance in at least five aspects:

First, it points the way for the reform and improvement of global governance. Second, it transcends the outdated zero-sum mind-set, advocating for the establishment of a more equitable, just and inclusive international order. Third, as a global public good, it provides a new platform and opportunity for all countries, especially developing nations, to participate in global governance and voice their demands. Fourth, it particularly emphasizes uniting all countries that can be united, reflecting as much as possible the common interests of people worldwide. Fifth, the Global Governance Initiative links global governance with the rule of international law, emphasizing that adherence to international law is the fundamental guarantee for achieving global governance. Without international law and rules, the world would regress to the law of the jungle, plunging humanity into an era of disaster.

Wang Fan, former president of China Foreign Affairs University

Faced with this complex and multi-faceted landscape, we must not react passively. We should proactively forge a multidimensional strategy. First, at the economic level, the core lies in establishing dynamic equilibrium and fostering development resilience. This includes promoting currency diversification, accelerating the development of local currency settlement and digital currency infrastructure. 

Second, at the political level, the key is to navigate asymmetric competition and institutional rivalry. This involves building flexible development alliances that differ from traditional Western alliances, primarily by fostering deeper collaboration through issue-based engagement. 

Third, a crisis buffer mechanism must be established. We should set up communication and management channels that cut across parallel markets to prevent greater unintended conflicts arising from technological "decoupling" or cognitive biases, thereby delineating safe boundaries for competition.

China is a defender and builder of multilateralism

Yang Bojiang, director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

The postwar order in East Asia clearly illustrates the harm caused by unilateralism. 

As for the postwar international order in East Asia, it can be said that it was already clearly defined in the later stages of World War II, founded on the values of the Allied victory over, and the punishment of, the Axis powers.

However, against the backdrop of the outbreak of the Cold War, the US, together with Japan, undertook two significant "maneuvers" that undermined the postwar order in East Asia. The first was the San Francisco Treaty of September 8, 1951. The second came in 1971, when Japan and the US, building upon what is described as the illegal extension of the San Francisco Treaty, concluded another bilateral agreement - also considered illegal - transferring administrative rights over the Ryukyu Islands from the US to Japan. These actions inflicted serious damage on the postwar order in East Asia.

Wang Yizhou, vice president of China National Association for International Studies

With China's rapid economic growth following its accession to the WTO, the country's closer integration with the global economy has made us keenly aware of the added value multilateralism brings to both China and the world, and of the powerful impetus it provides for global stability, peace and development.

China has taken on an important role as both a defender and constructive builder of multilateralism. This year marks the opening of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). From the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China  for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, it is clear that China is striving to advance economic globalization and promote multilateralism.

China will continue to move toward a path of Chinese modernization. We believe that, as China continues to cooperate with the world, we will further contribute to strengthening global multilateralism and consolidating the multilateral framework based on the UN Charter.

Gou Haibo, vice president of China Institute of International Studies

Amid profound adjustments in the international landscape, global governance has entered a period of transformation. Multilateralism is irreversible, however, the traditional Western-led model of global governance lacks sufficient representativeness and is becoming increasingly unsustainable. In the long run, global governance needs to adapt to the collective rise of the Global South and the evolving world economic structure, forming a more inclusive, effective, just and equitable governance framework.

Compared with changes in the global economic foundation, adjustments in international policies tend to lag and are often tortuous. Therefore, it is crucial to coordinate development, governance and security. 

Sustainable development can enhance the security resilience of countries in the Global South, while continuing to uphold justice in defending sovereignty and international rule of law. 

At the same time, it is necessary to explore ways to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to safeguard territorial sovereignty, economic sovereignty and control over resources, enabling Global South countries to advance international development and cooperation, genuinely and without interference.