From conflict to cooperation: China's vision for a more just global order

At a time when armed conflicts, humanitarian suffering, geopolitical rivalry, and economic coercion are placing the international order under severe strain, the world urgently needs responsible leadership, meaningful dialogue, and a renewed commitment to peace. Yet, too often, military power takes precedence over diplomacy, strategic competition overshadows cooperation, and the interests of weaker nations receive insufficient attention. Against this troubling backdrop, China's call for peace, development, security and more equitable global governance deserves serious international consideration.

The inaugural Global Governance Forum (Xiong'an), held in Hebei Province from October 23 to 25, 2026, provided an important platform for addressing these challenges. Under the theme “Rebuilding Confidence and Cooperation: Reforming and Improving Global Governance in a Transforming World,” the forum reflected growing recognition that existing international institutions and arrangements must adapt to contemporary realities. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message calling for the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), warning that deficits in peace, development, security and governance were growing rather than diminishing.

The message was timely. From continuing wars and humanitarian crises to threats of military escalation and the growing danger of nuclear confrontation, international affairs increasingly demonstrate the consequences of mistrust and inadequate cooperation. No country, regardless of its economic or military strength, can guarantee lasting security by disregarding the legitimate interests of others. Nor can global peace be sustained through intimidation, unilateral action or the selective application of international principles.

Eight practical steps toward better global governance

Addressing the forum, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced eight practical actions intended to advance a fairer and more effective system of global governance. These include delivering a successful APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November, remaining deeply engaged in advancing U.N. reform, encouraging the Group of Friends of Global Governance to play a bigger role, working for the full and effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, promoting the recalibration of global human rights governance, issuing a Position Paper on Strengthening Outer Space Governance, issuing a Progress Report on the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and establishing a Global Governance Research Center.

Together, these proposals offer a practical agenda rather than merely an abstract appeal for international harmony.

First, strengthening the United Nations is essential. Established to prevent another global catastrophe and facilitate international cooperation, the UN remains indispensable. However, its effectiveness depends on the willingness of member states to respect the UN Charter, resolve disputes peacefully, and ensure that developing countries have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting humanity. Reform should make international institutions more representative, responsive and capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

Second, global governance must uphold sovereign equality and fairness. A country's population, wealth or military strength should not determine the value of its rights. Small states, developing economies and vulnerable societies deserve the same respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity as powerful nations. International law must not become an instrument applied selectively according to strategic interests.

Third, development must remain central to the international agenda. Poverty, hunger, inadequate healthcare, educational inequality and energy insecurity affect millions of people. For much of the Global South, peace means more than the absence of war; it also means opportunities for dignified employment, affordable energy, modern infrastructure and a better future for the next generation. China's emphasis on the right to development and international economic cooperation speaks directly to these aspirations.

Governing the frontiers of the future

The forum's attention to outer space and artificial intelligence is particularly significant. Space exploration should benefit humanity rather than become another arena for military confrontation. China's position paper on strengthening outer-space governance emphasizes the need for rules that keep pace with exploration, encourage broad participation, and serve all countries' interests. Preventing an arms race in space is a shared international responsibility.

Artificial intelligence presents a similar challenge. It offers enormous potential in healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing and scientific research, but its misuse could deepen inequality, spread disinformation and intensify strategic tensions.

This is an area where major powers should demonstrate leadership through cooperation rather than competition. Developing countries must also receive opportunities to build technical capacity and participate in shaping the rules governing emerging technologies.

China's vision and the responsibility of the international community

China's Global Governance Initiative promotes sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach and practical cooperation. Its underlying proposition is straightforward: global challenges require collective solutions, and international arrangements should serve the common interests of humanity rather than a privileged few.

China's growing engagement in global governance creates opportunities, but the credibility of any initiative ultimately depends on implementation, transparency and tangible results. The international community should assess proposals on their merits and encourage every major power to contribute constructively. China, the United States, Russia, Europe and other influential actors all have responsibilities that extend beyond narrow national calculations.

The establishment of a Global Governance Research Center is therefore a welcome step toward sustained dialogue, evidence-based policymaking and the development of practical solutions. Its value will depend on encouraging diverse perspectives, including those of smaller states and developing countries.

For Pakistan and other members of the Global South, a more inclusive international order is especially important. Their interests lie in peaceful neighborhoods, economic opportunity, technology transfer, climate resilience and respect for sovereignty. Cooperation with China through development initiatives, infrastructure connectivity and educational and scientific partnerships can contribute to these objectives when projects respond to local needs and deliver lasting benefits.

The Global Governance Forum (Xiong'an) offers a timely reminder that humanity stands at a crossroads. One path leads toward deeper confrontation, militarization and widening inequalities; the other requires dialogue, restraint, shared development and stronger international institutions.

China has presented a vision and a set of practical proposals for pursuing the second path. Turning that vision into reality will require sustained commitment from all countries. The world does not need another contest over who can dominate others. It needs leadership capable of bringing nations together, protecting the vulnerable and making peace and prosperity achievable for all.

The ultimate measure of global leadership is not the power to impose one's will, but the ability to build a world in which every nation can live in peace, develop with dignity, and share responsibility for humanity's common future.

About the author: Zamir Ahmed Awan is a sinologist, former Pakistani diplomat and the founding chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance (GSRRA), based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com.