Online Reporter
Zhou Ding-Ambassador
IN 2025, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, our world stands at a critical crossroads.
Global uncertainties—economic volatility, widening development gaps, climate change, and eroding trust in multilateral institutions—have left many nations, especially in the Global South, searching for solutions that deliver tangible change, not empty rhetoric.
It was against this backdrop that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus” Meeting in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.
This visionary and pragmatic framework offers China’s wisdom for building a fairer, more inclusive global governance system. The GGI does not seek to replace one order with another; rather, it aims to build an order that works for everyone, particularly developing nations that have been left behind for too long.
The strength of the GGI lies in its five core principles—sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and real results. These are not abstract ideals but actionable guidelines designed to address the flaws of the current global order.
Sovereign Equality: Ensuring every nation has a voice
Sovereign equality is the bedrock of fair international relations. For decades, developing countries have faced a stark reality: in global decision-making, influence is too often determined by size, strength, and wealth.
The GGI directly confronts this inequity by insisting that all countries—regardless of their economic or military power—should have an equal role in shaping global rules. A system that ignores the perspectives of the Global South, home to the majority of the world’s population, can never effectively address our shared challenges.
China’s commitment to sovereign equality is reflected in its concrete actions. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with 110 members worldwide, ensures developing economies have a strong voice in infrastructure financing. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) prioritises improving connectivity in developing countries, treating all partners as equals. In Zimbabwe and across Africa, BRI projects, designed with local needs in mind, have delivered tangible benefits.
China further upholds this principle in various multilateral forums:
Inclusive decision-making: In institutions like the UN, China advocates for greater representation for developing countries. In climate negotiations, for instance, China upholds the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” ensuring equity by recognizing differing national circumstances and capabilities.
Support for Small Island States: Through green technology transfer, capacity-building, and South-South cooperation on climate change, China assists Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in enhancing their resilience to climate impacts, affirming their equal right to development.
Equal Consultation in Regional Cooperation: Within the China-ASEAN framework, China adheres to consensus-building and non-interference. Whether in trade negotiations or consultations on a South China Sea code of conduct, all countries, regardless of size, have an equal say in rule-making.
International Rule of Law and Multilateralism: Rejecting Double Standards and Unilateralism
The GGI addresses two damaging flaws in today’s global order: the use of double standards and the rise of unilateralism. The rule of law must mean that rules apply equally to all—no country should exempt itself from commitments while demanding compliance from others. Multilateralism remains the only viable path for tackling transnational challenges.
The GGI reaffirms the central role of the UN and champions the spirit of “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.”
China’s record demonstrates its commitment: as the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping among the P5 of the UN Security Council, it has deployed over 50 000 personnel to 29 missions since 1990, showing that multilateralism is a practical mode of action, not just a concept.
Zimbabwe, as an exemplary member of the UN, AU and SADC, has also actively engaged within multilateral frameworks to advance the implementation of international law and opposing unilateralism. It has consistently called for the equal application of international norms to all states while participating in peacekeeping and development initiatives regionally and globally.
A forward-looking example of this cooperative spirit of multilateralism is the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed). Instead of resorting to coercive measures like sanctions or tariffs—which often fail and heighten tensions—IOMed provides a platform for resolving conflicts through dialogue, consultation and mediation, embodying the equitable and multilateral approach essential for a stable international order.
People-centred and Real Results: Governance that delivers
The GGI’s focus on being people-centred and delivering real results sets it apart from initiatives marked by hollow promises. Governance must measurably improve lives, not serve as a platform for diplomatic grandstanding.
For example, In Zimbabwe, Chinese-supported medical facilities, vocational training programmes, scholarships, and exchange seminars represent concrete investments in unlocking human potential. The GGI’s emphasis on measurable outcomes directly addresses the widespread frustration with initiatives that prioritise rhetoric over delivery.
China’s track record is evident: it supports countries like Zimbabwe in energy transition and digital transformation by sharing expertise and affordable technology, improving livelihoods while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. It builds infrastructure including Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8, the new Robert Mugabe International Airport, the New Parliament Building, the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse, the 1300-Borehole Project, the High Performance Computing Centre, and the NetOne National Mobile Broadband project that fosters connectivity and inclusive growth.
Ultimately, the GGI is rooted in delivery—because for ordinary people, “global governance” only matters if it translates into putting food on the table, expanding access to education, and creating jobs.
Why the GGI Earns Trust: A Genuine Alternative for the Global South
Since its proposal, the GGI has garnered support from countries worldwide, including Zimbabwe and many other African nations, because it is a platform for partnership, not a tool for hegemony.
The GGI earns trust for three key reasons: First, it rejects hierarchical structures and “house rules” imposed by a handful of powerful nations. Second, it is action-oriented, creating concrete platforms that yield results. Third, it addresses the credibility gap by responding to the disappointment over unfulfilled promises from existing systems.
For the Global South, the GGI represents a chance to reform and remedy a global order that has long favoured the North.
It recognizes that multipolarity signifies balance, not chaos, and upholds the principle that no civilization is superior and no single governance model fits all.
Zimbabwe has long been committed to reforming and improving the global governance system to safeguard the common interests of the Global South. Like China, Zimbabwe believes in the necessity of a fairer, more inclusive global order and has articulated its support for the GGI. United by shared visions and aligned policies, China and Zimbabwe are natural partners working together to contribute positively to a global governance system that works for all nations and delivers tangible results that meet the needs and aspirations of people worldwide.
Conclusion: The GGI—A Global Public Good for Shared Prosperity
The Global Governance Initiative is not merely China’s proposal; it is a global public good. It charts a practical path forward where sovereign equality is respected, rules apply equally to all, multilateralism is upheld and strengthened, people remain at the centre, and concrete results are pursued and achieved.
As China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, I take pride in advocating for an initiative that resonates with the shared values of our two nations. I look forward to working with Zimbabwean friends under the GGI framework. In 2025, as we mark the 80th anniversary of both the victory against fascism and the founding of the UN, let us embrace the GGI to help fulfill the promise of a better and more just world. Together, we can build a global governance system that is fairer, more effective, and truly worthy of the trust of people of the world.
Note: The author, H.E. Zhou Ding, is Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Zimbabwe.
