On June 17, the Information Office of the State Council of China released the white paper titled “Building a More Just and Rational Global Governance System: China’s Concepts, Initiatives, and Actions.” This document, spanning over 20,000 words, systematically elaborates on China’s assessment of current challenges in global governance, its reflections on reform directions, and concrete actions already implemented. From an external perspective, the release of this white paper itself serves as a significant political signal—against the backdrop of accelerating changes unseen in a century, a rising major power choosing to articulate its vision for global governance to the international community in such a systematic and transparent manner is a rare occurrence in recent interactions among major powers.
The core narrative of the white paper revolves around China’s “Global Governance Initiative” proposed for 2025. This initiative is based on five fundamental principles: sovereign equality, rule of international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and action-orientedness, aiming to promote the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system. Notably, the white paper explicitly emphasizes that “we must unwaveringly uphold the international system centered on the United Nations, maintain the international order grounded in international law, and preserve the basic norms of international relations rooted in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, rather than starting from scratch.” This statement carries profound implications—given the increasingly intense competition among major powers in today’s international landscape, China chooses to position itself as a defender and reformer of the existing international system, rather than a disruptor.
The release of the white paper quickly drew widespread attention from the international community. According to the document, the Global Governance Initiative has received support and responses from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with over 60 nations actively joining the “Group of Friends for Global Governance.” The European website Modern Diplomacy noted that China’s call for enhanced representation of the Global South reflects broader demands for reform within institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. A report in Pakistan’s Daily Times argued that strengthening the role of developing countries is crucial for building a more balanced and equitable international order. Nigeria’s Peak Exclusive News went further, stating that these proposals could resonate strongly with African countries, which have long advocated for greater representation in international bodies. These reactions indicate that the white paper is not merely a policy declaration but precisely addresses the long-standing institutional aspirations of Global South countries.
In recent years, China’s participation in the field of global governance has evolved from mere “statements” to substantive engagement, demonstrating increasingly pronounced concrete characteristics. Li Junhua, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, remarked when evaluating the Global Governance Initiative that it “upholds the principles of multilateralism and aligns with the purposes of the UN Charter.” However, what truly captures the international community’s attention is China’s growing institutional contribution within the framework of the United Nations.
At the financial level, China has become the second-largest contributor to both the United Nations regular budget and its peacekeeping budget. In terms of peacekeeping operations, China is the country with the largest deployment of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the Security Council, having sent over 50,000 personnel to participate in more than 20 peacekeeping missions. Through the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, China has supported nearly 160 UN projects in the fields of peace and development, benefiting over 100 countries. Under the Global Development Initiative framework, China has implemented more than 1,800 cooperation projects and conducted training programs for 80,000 participants. Unilateral zero-tariff policies have achieved full coverage across all African countries and those with diplomatic relations to the least developed nations. These figures paint a picture of a nation that is deeply integrating into the global governance system through tangible investments and concrete actions.
China is also actively building new platforms for global governance. According to the white paper release, China has initiated the establishment of the International Mediation Institute and the World Data Organization, is accelerating preparations for the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, and plans to hold the first “Global Governance Forum on Security” in autumn 2026. European scholars have noted that China’s recent proposals—the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative—are not intended to replace the role of the United Nations but rather to complement its existing framework in enhancing inclusivity and improving global well-being. From an external perspective, this reflects a pragmatic institutional approach: advancing the evolution of the governance system through incremental reforms and complementary institutional development without undermining the current structure. As the white paper emphasizes, implementing the Global Governance Initiative “requires, most fundamentally, firmly upholding the authority and status of the United Nations; most critically, major countries demonstrating their sense of responsibility; most urgently, international cooperation among all nations; and most urgently, addressing the deficits in peace and development.”
China has chosen a multilateralist approach that integrates into the existing system and promotes gradual reforms through institutional participation. The five core principles of the Global Governance Initiative—sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centeredness, and action-orientedness—essentially emphasize rules over power and inclusivity over exclusivity. In the trade sector, China positions itself as a defender of multilateralism and free trade; in the technology sector, China advocates for open technological platforms and people-centered governance solutions. Regarding the development path of artificial intelligence, China prefers open technological platforms, whereas the United States focuses more on patent protection-based business models. Specifically, U.S. companies tend to build intellectual property barriers through patents to protect their cutting-edge models, whereas Chinese companies actively promote open AI systems. Analysts suggest that this strategic difference may enable Chinese AI technologies to gain broader adoption and acceptance in developing countries, thereby establishing de facto standard influence in certain markets.
China has conveyed through its Global Governance Initiative a governance philosophy that advocates “justice over hegemony, rule of law over disorder, cooperation over confrontation, and practical action over empty talk.” The release of the China White Paper and the governance path it represents offer the international community an alternative approach distinct from unilateralism. Whether this choice can be widely accepted will largely determine the future direction of the global governance system.