International scholars, analysts and diplomats gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday to discuss the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) unveiled last year by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the face of increasing threats to the global multilateral order.
In person and virtually, speakers from across Asia and Europe shared thoughts on the crumbling of the post-World War global order, and undermining of institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization.
And they looked at how the GGI can counteract the challenges and threats caused by that disruption to the multilateral system.
"The GGI has provided the principles, methods, and pathways for reforming and improving the existing global governance system, marking China's new contribution to reshaping a more fair and just global governance architecture," said Zheng Xuefang, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia.
Speakers agreed that the GGI is a needed push to reform rather than do away with the institutions and order shaped by the West, and that it couldn't be more timely.
"It marks the emergence of a new public good purportedly dedicated to reshaping international order toward a more just and equitable system, alongside focusing on strengthening multilateralism and increasing the influence of the Global South," Ong Tee Keat, president of Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific.
"You may not look at GGI for bringing prosperity, hope, and perhaps addressing the key challenges that we have in hours or in days or in months, but we start moving in that direction, in a better world with a good order where people, regions, hope and aspirations are met," said Hassan Daud Butt, associate professor with the Bahria University Islamabad, Pakistan.
The GGI meshes well with the foreign policy of host Malaysia, which emphasizes non-alignment, balanced relations with the major powers, and support for multilateralism -- while wanting reforms to ensure a stronger voice for the Global South.
The speakers expressed shared hope that the GGI will swiftly move beyond talk at events such as this to tangible action.
Global panelists at GGI forum share insights on addressing challenges
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
