By U AC
STARTING with the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which was briefly mentioned in the Governance of China IV book by President Xi around 2021, the other global initiatives have come out successively from the central committee of the Politburo or the brainchild behind, namely, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). These initiatives have become the backbone of China’s vision for the world and the bible to help countries, especially the Global South, to comprehend the underlying rationale for why China wants to make a difference in this world.
The last of these gang of four, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), came out recently to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity. The GGI itself is not really an idea nouveau; the writer has heard of it since his days in Peking University in 2023, being explained by professors well-connected to the central committee members.
President Xi Jinping had proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling on countries to work in concert for a more just and equitable global governance system. Xi made the remarks when chairing the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus” Meeting in north China’s port city of Tianjin, where the SCO held the largest summit in its 24-year history, attended by leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations.
Xi also highlighted five principles of the GGI — adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practising multilateralism, advocating the people-centred approach, and focusing on taking real actions. While the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remain unchanged, the Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism continue to haunt the world, Xi said, adding that new threats and challenges have been only increasing, and the world has found itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. “Global governance has come to a new crossroads,” he said.
This year and the event marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations (UN). Xi stressed firmly safeguarding the status and authority of the UN, and ensuring its irreplaceable and key role in global governance. He said that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers, and beneficiaries in global governance. “There should be no double standards, and the house rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others,” Xi said. The SCO should step up to play a leading role and set an example in carrying out the GGI, and remain a force for stability in this volatile world.
On the surface, it seems the four seem to be all but one, from the bird’s eye view. Essentially, China wants the world to work together and develop, especially the Global South. A very laudable idea indeed.
How can Myanmar find synergy between GGI and its economic recovery?
These GGI concepts seem ideal in this current global environment where poorer or smaller country such as Myanmar do not have their sovereignty and dignity respected, and their domestic affairs are constantly being interfered in the context of a geopolitical game. We are not given the right to independently choose our own social system and development path. We were denied trade, engagements and investments unless we kowtow to the West’s wishes. Even some countries from ASEAN are following that tirade.
There is no point in regurgitating the details of five concepts of GDI; namely, sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centred approach, and focus on results. We, like some countries from the Global South, are experiencing discriminatory and exclusionary arrangements on the global stage. GGI ended by finally saying that at the international level, talk is cheap. The fifth element targets the inclusion of action and results orientation in global governance to effectively tackle major development issues facing us.
The timing of the introduction of GGI could not have been more perfect! We just have to make sure that the success of it does not have to depend on the powers from the West.
How should Myanmar promote future development within this framework?
As mentioned above, China has made its intentions clear. It has also made its vision for the world clear. So Myanmar can use this as a backbone for its own development. We can expect China to support us in the UN, to support us against bullying by the West, to support the development of our people, and we can expect China to walk the talk.
The rest depends on ourselves. After the January elections, we need leadership that will guide the country with integrity and selflessness, many years down the road. We need smart and youthful captains with intelligence to compete on the global stage.
Compared to hegemony, unilateralism and protectionism, what profound and specific impact will GGI have on emerging markets and developing countries?
China has done a great service to the developing world. It has provided the leadership that the smaller countries need to ring fence us from the dangers of colonisation of the nations, through the minds. Think Tank Xinhua research has already proven many of these colonisation strategies and tactics in its recent publication.
China is already providing a huge umbrella to shield us from these hegemonies, unilateralism and protectionism. No country or civilisation in the history of this world has done that. Developing countries have a real friend now. The countries themselves have to take advantage of that to make the positive impacts exponential.
