China's proposals on global governance reflect a broader shift away from exclusive, small-circle multilateralism toward a more democratic model based on consultation and shared benefits, according to a Chinese scholar.
The State Council Information Office of China on Wednesday released a white paper titled "More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China's Principles, Proposals and Actions," outlining China's principles, proposals and actions for promoting a more just and equitable international order.
The document showed the Global Governance Initiative, first proposed last September, has gained support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 countries joining the Group of Friends of the Global Governance Initiative.
Wang Wen, Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies and the School of Global Leadership at Renmin University of China, said China's approach represents a shift in the way global governance is discussed and practiced.
"China [is] pushing global governance to truly shift from the hegemonic logic of a few people having the final say to a logic of everyone discussing and designing methods together based on multi-party consultation, jointly construction and shared benefits," Wang said.
He emphasized that China's vision is not about replicating a single model, but about promoting cooperation based on mutual respect among different civilizations.
"China's concepts of people-centered needs and a world for all are not some narrow political ideology, but rather the highest common denominator of human civilization. We never export our model and demand that other countries replicate China's system. So we are building bridges and roads, not constructing walls and severing (supply) chains," said Wang.
In his analysis, China's emergence has represented a breakaway from the way that many world powers have traditionally conducted themselves, or continue to do so.
"Great power standards imply great power responsibility, not great power privilege. They resolve problems through sanctions and war. We resolve problems through investment, construction and mediation. So I think China now is an active participant in global governance, not merely a talker. China's global governance practices are profoundly reshaping the underlying logic of the world order," the scholar said.
China's global governance proposals reflect shift toward broader consultation: scholar
