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 initiatives have come out successively, namely the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI).
In the GDI proposal, President Xi mentioned being committed to
1. development as a priority.
2. a people-centred approach.
3. benefits for all.
4. innovation driven development.
5. harmony between humanity and nature.
6. results oriented actions.
It focuses on promoting international cooperation on development. The famous BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) is an essential part of that.
The second initiative proposed during 2022 was the Global Security Initiative or GSI. China promises to stay committed to
1. the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
2. respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
3. abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
4. taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously.
5. peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation.
6. maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains.
CSI emphasis is on encouraging dialogue and consultation over international discord.
The third one, Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), is aimed at increasing understanding and friendship among peoples and jointly advancing the development and progress of human civilisation. Secondly, the three Global Initiatives (GDI, GSI and GCI) are there to uphold equality and inclusiveness. GCI is for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations.
The last of the gang of four, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), came out in 2025 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. On the surface, it seems the four seem to be all but one, from the bird’s eye view. China wants the world to work together and develop, especially the Global South.
The core concepts of GGI are
1. Adhere to sovereign equality
2. Abide by International law
3. Practice multilateralism
4. Advocate for a people-centred approach
5. Focus on taking real actions.
To further explain, Concept I of GGI highlighted that sovereign equality is the premise of global governance. The unequal situation in which a few countries, such as the US, monopolize global governance can no longer continue. Illegal retention of Myanmar sovereign funds in the US would be one such example - the US taking the ideological upper hand in their governance.
Concept II said international law is the fundamental safeguard for global governance. Such laws should be jointly formulated, maintained, and implemented by all countries, and they shall apply to all without any exceptions.
The concept of multilateralism is a basic pathway for global governance. It needs coordination and cooperation rather than unilateralism and bullying.
The people-centred approach is also somewhat covered under the previous three initiatives. At its core, global governance is about turning people’s longing for a better life into reality and building a world in which all can enjoy affluence and contentment.
The last concept encourages us to all avoid NATO (No Action Talk Only) approaches, reminding us that the key lies in action and the ultimate result of us is in results.
As usual rhetoric, China promises to continue to stand on the right side of history, the side of human progress, the side of multilateralism, advocating unity and cooperation, rather than division and confrontation. Over the past 80 years, the UN has been at the core of the international order, underpinned by international law and basic norms of international relations. The current international landscape is such that the UN itself and multilateralism are being challenged, and the deficit and global governance continues to grow. First, the current governance structure seriously under-represents the developing or poorer countries (aka) the Global South. Second, the UN is in decline as its principles have not been effectively observed. Unilateral sanctions were taken against the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Last, there is an urgent need for greater effectiveness. UN Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Actions have been largely ignored, and world issues such as climate change and the digital divide are becoming more critical.
As one astronaut observed from space, no one can see the national boundaries, different countries and races. All he can see is one round blue ball covered with clouds. The morale of this story is that we should not think of ourselves as belonging to a distinct race, country, or civilization, per se. Instead, we all belong to this world of global civilisation.
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 with in the context of geopolitical leverage, where we are not given the right to independently choose our own social system and development path. We like some countries from the Global South are experiencing discriminatory and exclusionary arrangements on the global stage. Finally, talk is cheap. GGI ended by the inclusion of action and results orientation in global governance to effectively tackle major issues facing our human civilisation.
The timing could not have been more perfect!
