The global order is passing through a period of profound uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, economic fragmentation, protectionist tendencies and growing differences among major powers have exposed the limitations of existing mechanisms of international governance. At a time when the world needs greater cooperation rather than confrontation, Chinese President Xi Jinping has placed the question of global governance at the centre of China’s international vision through the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

Proposed by President Xi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus meeting in Tianjin in September 2025, the GGI seeks to promote a more just and equitable global governance system and advance the broader vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Its five core principles are sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach and real action.Since its launch, the initiative has increasingly moved from a conceptual proposal towards a broader framework for international cooperation. In June 2026, China issued a white paper, “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions,” providing a detailed explanation of the GGI and outlining China’s approach to addressing what it describes as gaps in the existing global governance system.

The first pillar of the GGI is sovereign equality. In practical terms, it argues that countries, irrespective of their size, economic strength or military capability, should have an equal opportunity to participate in international affairs, contribute to decision-making and benefit from global governance. This principle has particular relevance for developing countries, which have long called for greater representation in international institutions.The changing weight of the Global South has made this question even more significant. At the SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek on September 1, 2026, President Xi again emphasized the growing role of developing countries and called for greater representation and participation of the Global South in international affairs. He linked the reform of global governance with the broader emergence of a more balanced and multipolar international system.

The second pillar is international rule of law. The GGI stresses that international law and universally recognized principles should be applied consistently rather than selectively.........

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