Improve Our Ability to Participate in Global Governance*

September 27, 2016

With the increase in global challenges and constant changes in the international balance of power, there is a growing demand for strengthening global governance and transforming the global governance system. We must seize the opportunity and take appropriate actions to foster an international order that is fairer, more equitable, and more rational, and to ensure that the common interests of our country and other developing countries are more securely assured, that external conditions are more favorable for the realization of the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and that we make a greater contribution to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have worked proactively to uphold the international order that is based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II that the Chinese people won at the expense of great national sacrifice. We have put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, launched new multilateral financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and facilitated the reform of the IMF quota and governance mechanism. We have also participated actively in creating governance rules in many emerging fields, including the oceans, the polar regions, the internet, outer space, nuclear security, action against corruption, and climate change, and promoted reform of the unfair and unreasonable aspects of the current global governance system.

The recent G20 Hangzhou Summit was the highest-level international summit hosted by China in recent years, unmatched in scale and influence. Leveraging the opportunity to set the agenda, we introduced new initiatives, and guided the summit to produce a series of pioneering, pacesetting and institutional outcomes. We showcased our unique characteristics, and extended our influence. As a result, the summit fulfilled the goal of charting the course for the world economy, providing momentum for global economic growth, and building a solid foundation for international cooperation. The summit provided us with an opportunity for the first time to comprehensively explain our philosophy on global economic governance, taking innovation as the core, giving prominence to development issues in global macroeconomic policy coordination, building a framework of global multilateral investment rules, releasing a president's statement on climate change, and introducing green finance to the G20 agenda. All of this has left a deep imprint of China in the history of the G20.

The pattern of global governance depends on the international balance of power, and the transformation of the global governance system originates from changes in the balance of power. We should take economic development as the central task, pool our efforts to manage our own affairs well, and improve our capability in dealing with international issues. We should actively participate in global governance and shoulder international responsibilities. We must do all we can within the limitations of our capabilities.

The existing global governance system has found it increasingly difficult to meet the requirements of the times, and the international community is calling for reform. This is a common cause of all countries and regions, so we must pursue the transformation of the global governance system by following the principles of extensive consultation, joint development, and shared benefits. We must endeavor to reach consensus on the transformation proposals, and turn it into concerted actions. We must continue to voice opinions on behalf of developing countries and strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries.

We should start from what we are able to do and what is agreed upon. At this stage, we should expand the results of the Hangzhou Summit, reinforce and give full play to the role of the G20 as the main platform for global economic governance, and promote the transformation of the G20 into a long-term governance mechanism. We must continue to promote the Belt and Road Initiative and urge all related parties to strengthen planning and strategic coordination. We should further cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, strengthen mechanisms in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA), the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, and integrate regional free-trade negotiation frameworks. We should also take a more active part in rule-making in emerging fields such as the internet, the polar regions, the deep sea and outer space, and give more support to programs and cooperation mechanisms related to educational exchange, dialogue between civilizations, and ecology.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have advocated the principle of upholding the greater good and pursuing shared interests; and facilitated the building of a new model of international relations featuring cooperation and mutual benefit, a community of shared future for mankind, and a partnership network that links all parts of the world. We have also advocated a common, comprehensive and sustainable security concept based on cooperation. These ideas have been well received in the international community. We should continue to explain to the international community our concept about reform of the global governance system. We will seek cooperation and mutually-beneficial results rather than confrontation or zero-sum game. In order to facilitate the transformation of the global governance system, we will try to identify the greatest common denominators, expand cooperation, promote consensus among all parties, and strengthen coordination and cooperation.

We must improve our ability to participate in global governance, and in particular, our ability to make rules, set agendas, and carry out publicity and coordination. To play an effective role in global governance we need a large number of professionals who have a good knowledge of the policies and guiding principles of the Party, the government, and the national conditions, have a global outlook, have a good command of foreign languages, have a good understanding of international rules, and are skilled in international negotiations. We should strengthen the training of high-caliber personnel involved in global governance, ensure that we have adequate trained professionals, and build a talent pool, providing personnel support for our participation in global governance.

* Main points of the speech at the 35th group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)