Авторы публикации
The modern global world is now undergoing processes of profound change. The post-World War II international system is now in a state of transition. The bipolar world, which was based on the confrontation between the USSR and the United States, ceased to exist more than 30 years ago with the collapse of the Soviet Union, one of the global poles of governance. And the United States, which remained the only center of power, has been undergoing serious internal changes in recent years and is revising its goals, role and functions in the global arena. This process accelerated with the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States and his rejection of the policy of liberal globalization and unification along the American model. Within this new paradigm, the United States of America withdraws from international agreements and organizations, or reduces its participation in them, imposes new tariffs and restrictions on international trade, and ignores the previously existing rules of international relations, which contributes to increased global instability.
In particular, the new US President Donald Trump signed executive orders on the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement[1] and the World Health Organization (WHO). [2]In the economic sphere, the Trump administration introduced the so-called "universal tariff" in the amount of 10%[3] on almost all imported goods[4]. Also, the United States, pursuing its own national interests, is revising its relations with the UN, WTO; withdrew from a number of regional political and economic blocs and agreements. These measures affected both the opponents of the United States and their formal partners – the entire global sphere of international political and economic relations.
As a result, the infrastructure of international cooperation – from the World Trade Organization to the UN system of specialized agencies – has found itself in a state of increasing turbulence and uncertainty, gradually approaching a global crisis. These institutions, once called upon to build balances and provide a platform for communication between the two centers of power, have lost their unconditional support and ability, and are becoming increasingly adept at preventing and managing a growing number of political and economic conflicts. The continuation of the development of this situation is fraught with chaos in international relations and a sharp increase in conflicts between their participants, which are only the initial manifestations of confrontation in the Middle East or in Ukraine.
Many countries understand these risks and put forward their proposals for reforming the system of international relations and the formation of fundamentally new approaches to balancing the complex and multifaceted interests of the parties.
Against this background, over the past decade, the PRC has been consistently putting forward initiatives aimed at rethinking the principles of the global governance model, the core of which is the concept of a "Community with a Shared Future for Mankind", which was articulated in 2013[5], it laid the foundation for a conceptual line, around which a whole range of proposals was then formed.
The last SCO summit in Tianjin (August 31 – September 1, 2025)[6] was another chance for the PRC to assert itself as an alternative center for rethinking the problem of global governance. In this regard, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke from the position of the pillar of the multipolar world of the global majority, in particular, he proposed for international communication the concept of reforming the global governance model while maintaining the UN-centric common model - the document of the Chinese Foreign Ministry "Concept paper on the Global Governance Initiative".[7] Published on September 2, 2025, it is a comprehensive strategic proposal from Beijing to the world community to modernize and reform the international governance system. In it, the PRC formulates a vision for the transformation of the global order through strengthening the role of international law, expanding the representation of countries in the Global South, institutionalizing the principle of sovereign equality and developing new norms for key areas - from security and energy to digital technologies and climate policy.
The Global Governance Initiative fits into a whole galaxy of tools through which Beijing proposes to rebuild the architecture of international relations, along with the Global Development Initiative (September 2021)[8], Global Security Initiative (April 2022)[9] and the Global Initiative on Civilizations (March 2023)[10]. It also complements China's broader systemic approach, which includes various infrastructure projects (One Belt, One Road, Digital [11] Silk Road[12], BRI projects in Africa[13], China-Laos New Corridor, Funan Taecho Canal Project[14] , and others) that create new channels of transport, financial and technological connectivity.
The basic concept of the "Global Governance Initiative"[15] of 5 principles is close to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and can meet the general expectations of the vast majority of countries in the world that politically belong to the "Global South" - that is, are not politically included in the "Global Western World".
China notes that the voice of developing countries and countries in the Global South is not sufficiently heard, and global decisions are still shaped by a "narrow group of developed countries."
In response, Beijing puts forward the principle of "sovereign equality", which should form the basis of a new model of governance. This means that both large and small states should have equal opportunities in the decision-making process.
In the context of the document of the Initiative, the PRC notes that 2025 is symbolic - the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the UN, this, in turn, becomes a moment of summing up and rethinking global governance.
On the one hand, China recognizes the importance of the international order based on the UN Charter. On the other hand, it notes that the modern system is in crisis. The world is facing new challenges that the old system is not able to adequately regulate, prevent and even describe. The UN and multilateral structures are losing their effectiveness, and growing challenges require a new model of governance. "The current international institution has three shortcomings. First, the Global South is critically inadequate. The collective rise of emerging markets and developing economies requires greater representation of the Global South and a redress of historical injustices. The second is the fall of authority. The goals and principles of the UN are not fully observed, Security Council resolutions are blocked for an hour, unilateral sanctions violate international law and world order. Third, efficiency improvements are urgently needed. The implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is significantly delayed, problems such as climate change, the digital divide, etc., are exacerbated, there are no management measures in new areas, primarily artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space," the document says.[16]
In fact, China declares that the reform of global governance should be carried out under the auspices of the UN and through existing international and regional institutions, but at the same time it is Beijing that proposes to fill this reform with concrete content. The point is to consolidate the leading role of the UN as a universal platform, but to use it to promote balanced international interests, at the expense of the increased role of the Global South and, logically, a decrease in the role of the West.
The document contains a module of applied initiatives: the development of cooperation in energy, green technologies, digitalization, the creation of educational and scientific platforms, and the strengthening of the healthcare system. These proposals are a roadmap through which China will institutionalize its leadership. In the future, this can be implemented through existing mechanisms – the SCO, BRICS, South-South formats – gradually extending this practice to other international institutions.
The priority areas were not chosen by chance – these are the areas where new rules are being formed and where there is no clear international regulation yet – test areas: artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate, trade, space. Thus, the PRC's initiative demonstrates that it is not put forward "instead of" the existing regulation, but into a free unregulated space. That is, it is modernizing, not canceling.
The first block of the "Global Governance Initiative" of the PRC is dedicated to sovereign equality. China calls this principle "the main prerequisite for global governance." It is interpreted as follows: "Every country, regardless of size and power, has equal rights, internal affairs are not subject to external interference, and each nation chooses its social system and the path of development independently."
For Beijing, "sovereign equality" means, first of all, legitimizing its own model and protecting itself from criticism of domestic legal practices, but for the Global South, it sounds like a promise of greater independence. [17] as opposed to the "melting pot"[18] (a more American model of social integration), extrapolated to the international arena.
Also, in fact, we are talking about the formation of a new concept of international sovereignty or sovereignty in international relations. China offers a model based on non-interference in internal affairs[19] and the priority of economic cooperation. The logic is simple: if states do not interfere in each other's policies, each country retains its independence and equality. At the same time, of course, there is dependence on trade, technological and financial ties, but in the ideal theory, such a system guarantees all participants security from external interference.
The second block is devoted to adherence to international law.
The document emphasizes the need to strictly comply with the UN Charter, ensure the uniform application of international norms and develop rules for new areas (artificial intelligence, cyberspace, space) on the basis of "general agreements." "In new areas, it is necessary to develop international rules on the basis of general agreements. It is necessary to ensure equal and uniform application of the norms of international law and rules, double standards and the imposition of one's will on others are not allowed."[20] This is a tool in the fight against the "double standards" of the West. China opposes the Western approach, veiledly accusing them of arbitrary application of norms and sanctions pressure, and thereby positions itself as a defender of "genuine international law."
The third block is about multilateralism. It formulates the principle of "joint consultations, joint construction and joint use." The leading role is assigned to the UN, while regional mechanisms (SCO, BRICS, etc.) should strengthen its work. "The UN is a key platform for the implementation of multilateralism and the promotion of global governance, its role should be strengthened, not weakened. Other global and regional multilateral mechanisms should play a constructive role on the basis of their own advantage , avoiding any discriminatory and exclusive approaches."[21] For China, this is an important point: it is trying to legitimize its own initiatives as part of the multilateral process, and not as competition with the UN, thereby removing them from criticism of the "creation of parallel structures." And this is happening against the backdrop of the United States' distancing from the UN structures under the new Trump administration.
The fourth block is aimed at forming a human-centered approach. In the official formulation, it is a value base, where the goal of global governance is to achieve specific parameters of human life - to increase the well-being of peoples and their confidence in the future. "Only the system of global governance that is designed to improve the well-being of people and their sustainable confidence in the future will receive broad support and greater efficiency."[22]. In fact, we are talking about an updated concept of human rights. Instead of the abstract and universal "innate rights" classic of Western civilization, China proposes a concrete attitude: everyone should have the right to security and well-being. This emphasis on the socio-economic component of human rights represents a practical update of the Western liberal model of human rights and largely reflects the priorities of the countries of the Global South.
The fifth block is dedicated to efficiency.
The global governance system must be able to solve real problems, pay attention to both current and long-term challenges, and address not only the symptoms but also the causes of crises. Here, too, China places a special responsibility on developed countries to provide more resources and public goods. "Developed countries must take responsibility and provide more resources and public goods. And developing countries, in turn, must consolidate efforts, build their own capacity and make feasible contributions. For[23] the Global South, this sounds appealing.
In general, the Global Governance Initiative continues the line of the need for fair global governance. Now this idea has received a conceptual formulation, which simultaneously serves as a foreign policy program and a tool for public positioning of China in the international arena.
China, in fact, proposes a reform of the international governance system, but this does not mean abandoning the UN system – it implies its modernization and transformation taking into account the global changes that have taken place in the world in the 80 years since the creation of the UN and in the direction of "expressing the will of the majority." China identifies three main problems in the functioning of the current global governance system: 1) low representation of the countries of the Global South in UN structures; 2) the decline in the authority of the UN; 3) a decrease in the efficiency of its work. Based on these three problems, China proposes to reform the global system in the direction of strengthening the role of international law and maintaining the UN-centricity. At the same time, it is noteworthy that China already recognizes the existence of a global governance system[24].
The main principle of this reform is to ensure non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, the realization of the interests of the majority of states and the increase in the representation of developing countries. A special concept of human rights, according to the PRC, is that instead of innate and universal rights, the emphasis is on ensuring human security and well-being. At the same time, developed countries, according to Beijing's plan, should provide more resources to developing countries, which actually means a redistribution of wealth in their favor.
These reform efforts should first and foremost find application in the international financial system, in the field of regulation of artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate, trade and other new or experimental areas of human functioning. In the future, such practices should be extended to traditional areas of international cooperation in order to achieve global synchronicity and synergy within the framework of a "community of common destiny".
In fact, we are talking about the principles and directions for modernizing the UN-centric model of global governance (outdated over the past 80 years and not taking into account the changed global balances), so that developing countries and countries of the Global South, led by the PRC, can count on decisive participation in key global decision-making, as well as access to the most important infrastructure, technological and social projects. technologies and resources. China explicitly proposes to shift the focus from discussions about values to pragmatic cooperation, where Beijing is ready to act as a coordinator and supplier of technologies and resources.
This approach simultaneously consolidates Beijing's image as the "leader of the developing world" and the role of the main operator of the reform of the Global Governance System. It forms an ideological organic alternative to the Western model based on competition and sanctions.
It is important to note that the PRC does not directly impose itself as a "new center of power," but only offers an ideological alternative to the failed liberal political globalization of the past, based on the processes of organic development of mankind.
The initiative itself is interesting, first of all, because it is able to take into account the interests of the majority of states, reduce the potential for conflict in international relations, preserve their cultural and political diversity, and ensure wider participation in international trade and decision-making. As the crisis of the "polar" (one or bipolar) model deepens and the disappointment of many countries in the existing system increases, Ideas like this may become increasingly popular and in demand in international relations.
At this stage, China's task is to demonstrate the existence of a global alternative - an alternative point of view and options for the development of international relations, points of support in international cooperation, which can be the UN, as well as the "world majority". After all, for a long time, the discourse on the directions of human development was set by Western civilization – the elites of Europe and North America: liberal political globalization, climate globalization and other forms were a product of their goals and interests.
Now, China, gradually developing additional elements of the strategy of the concept of a "Community with a Shared Future for Mankind",[25] growing them like branches from a tree, demonstrates to the world that there are other ways of development that are less conflictual and potentially safer for both the elites and peoples, and humanity as a whole. At the same time, it is unlikely that China sets itself the task of changing the institutions or rules of the UN right now; rather, it is a matter of to sow ideas like grains of rice or wheat in the spring into new soil and observe where and how they will germinate — if at all.
And the main non-obvious principles of this approach are the modernization of international relations taking into account global changes, the strengthening of the new sovereignty of countries in the international arena, and the reintegration of the "world majority" into international politics, after a period of being in secondary roles.
Of course, these ideas may face competition, suspicion and, possibly, even opposition from some states and elites who are already beneficiaries of the current functioning system of global governance or expect to lead it. Therefore, heated discussions await us, within the framework of which humanity may be able to choose the best alternative for itself.
Ruslan Bortnik, Oksana Krasovskaya,
for the Ukrainian Institute of Politics
[1] US Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: Impact and Next Steps https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/us-withdrawal-paris-agreement-impact-and-next-steps?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[2] WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-the-worldhealth-organization/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[3] Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-increase-our-competitive-edge-protect-our-sovereignty-and-strengthen-our-national-and-economic-security/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[4] Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Modifies the Scope of Reciprocal Tariffs and Establishes Procedures for Implementing Trade Deals https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-modifies-the-scope-of-reciprocal-tariffs-and-establishes-procedures-for-implementing-trade-deals/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[5] Understanding Xi's quotes on building a community with a shared future for mankind https://english.news.cn/20230323/6d411c2465664137a7ad8e45ac0de8da/c.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[6] Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at the 'Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus' Meetinghttps://english.www.gov.cn/news/202509/01/content_WS68b584acc6d0868f4e8f53c8.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[7] Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative https://ua.china-embassy.gov.cn/rus/jjzg/202509/t20250902_11699924.htm
[8] Global Development Initiative https://en.chinadiplomacy.org.cn/gdi/index.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[9] Global Security Initiative https://en.chinadiplomacy.org.cn/gsi/index.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[10] The Global Civilization Initiative https://www.idcpc.org.cn/ztwy/hytl/gdheng/results/
[11] Belt and Road Initiative https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/regional-integration/brief/belt-and-road-initiative?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[12] Assessing China's
Digital Silk Road Initiative https://www.cfr.org/china-digital-silk-road/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[13]5 key Chinese 'Belt and Road' projects underway in Africa https://www.voanews.com/a/key-chinese-belt-and-road-projects-underway-in-africa/7767507.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[14]China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand https://apnews.com/article/canal-trade-transport-bassac-river-rice-c471352392844998057c24752ba6d4fa
[15] Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative https://ua.china-embassy.gov.cn/rus/jjzg/202509/t20250902_11699924.htm
[16] Ibidem.
[17] Salad bowl (cultural idea) https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/salad-bowl-cultural-idea?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[18] What Is the 'American Melting Pot?' https://www.thoughtco.com/melting-pot-definition-3026408?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[19] The New Chinese Doctrine of Non-Intervention https://resolve.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-and-comparative-law-quarterly/article/new-chinese-doctrine-of-nonintervention/C486DC6119E82DA4B17050F8F1F62EC7?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[20] Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative https://ua.china-embassy.gov.cn/rus/jjzg/202509/t20250902_11699924.htm
[21] Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative https://ua.china-embassy.gov.cn/rus/jjzg/202509/t20250902_11699924.htm
[22] Ibidem.
[23] Ibidem.
[24]China’s Approach to Global Governance https://www.cfr.org/china-global-governance/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[25] Understanding Xi's quotes on building a community with a shared future for mankind https://english.news.cn/20230323/6d411c2465664137a7ad8e45ac0de8da/c.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
