On June 19, an article entitled Global Governance Needs China—and Dominica authored by H.E. Chu Maoming, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, was published in Dominica’s mainstream newspapers The Chronicle and Sunday Pulse. The article outlined the promising prospects for China and Dominica to work together in implementing the Global Governance Initiative and contributing to the world.
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Looking back at the first half of this year, the international landscape has remained marked by turbulence and transformation. Far away, the conflicts in the Middle East continue to affect the whole world, while the Ukraine crisis remains unresolved and its spillover effects are being felt globally. Nearby, Venezuela has seen its president abducted during military strikes, Cuba continues to face mounting challenges under sanctions and blockade, and dark clouds still linger over the Caribbean Zone of Peace. At this moment, the aspiration of all countries for fairness and justice, solidarity and cooperation, and peace and stability has become stronger than ever.
Last year, my President H.E. Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), advocating sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real actions. The initiative outlined the principles and pathways for reforming and improving global governance, responding to the strong call of the international community for justice rather than hegemony, the rule of law rather than disorder, cooperation rather than confrontation, and action rather than empty rhetoric. It has been warmly welcomed by countries around the world, including Dominica. This week, the Chinese government released the white paper More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions, further elaborating on the GGI, building broader international consensus, and promoting more effective responses to global challenges.
China is a responsible major country with the best record on peace and security. Over the past decade and more, under the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, China has proposed a series of global initiatives and undertaken concrete actions to advance them. This is because we fully recognize that amid the profound changes unseen in a century, countries can overcome global challenges and achieve lasting peace and common development only by standing together and helping one another. We also fully recognize that Dominica is not only a Small Island Developing State, but also an important member of the Global South. For many years, Dominica has worked tirelessly to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen climate governance, and safeguard regional peace and stability. Guided by the Global Governance Initiative, China and Dominica can join hands and contribute together to reforming and improving global governance.
First, the central role of the United Nations should be upheld. The United Nations is the most comprehensive, representative, and authoritative international organization, and the UN-centered international system plays an irreplaceable and vital role in global governance. Yet today, certain major powers disregard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, refuse to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations, and focus solely on preserving their own hegemony and interests. At the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting initiated by China last month, all parties called for renewing commitment to the founding purpose of the UN and restoring its authority. This month, Trinidad and Tobago was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the next term. It is foreseeable that the Caribbean will play an increasingly important role in international multilateral affairs. China is willing to work with the regional countries including Dominica to seize this opportunity to promote the reform and improvement of the UN, ensuring that the representation and voice of developing countries are fully reflected.
Second, the right direction of open development should be upheld. An equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization represent the trend of the times. China advocates building the world economy stronger and sharing the fruits equitably, allowing the fresh air and warm sunshine of economic globalization to penetrate the dark room of protectionism and benefiting every country and every nation. This truly aligns with the trend of the times and the aspirations of all people. In recent years, certain major powers have launched tariff wars and trade wars in the name of putting their own country first. These actions have seriously affected the international trade on which Caribbean countries, including Dominica, depend for their development and have created hardships for ordinary people. Going forward, China stands ready to work with Dominica to firmly safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, support trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and maintain stable and smooth global industrial and supply chains.
This year marks the beginning of China’s Fifteenth Five-Year Plan period. China will further expand high-standard opening up and share development opportunities with countries around the world. Practical cooperation between China and Dominica is currently flourishing under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. We are confident that, through our joint efforts, flagship projects such as the international airport and schools, together with a wide range of “small and beautiful” projects, will bring greater convenience and tangible benefits to the people of Dominica.
Third, governance deficits and shortcomings should be jointly addressed. As the times evolve, new global challenges continue to emerge. The global governance system must keep pace with the times, find solutions to longstanding problems, and fill governance gaps in new areas. Reform of the international financial architecture, as well as governance in artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate change, trade, and outer space, all face urgent needs and significant governance deficits. Greater communication, cooperation, and consensus-building should therefore be prioritized.
As is well known, climate governance is among the most important concerns of Small Island Developing States such as Dominica. During his meetings with President H.E. Sylvanie Burton and Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, President Xi emphasized that China attaches great importance to Dominica’s concerns and aspirations regarding climate change and stands ready to continue supporting the country in enhancing its capacity to address climate change and strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation. Looking ahead, climate governance will become an important area in which China and Dominica work together to improve global governance. We will firmly uphold and promote the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and work together to build a fair and rational global climate governance system underpinned by cooperation for mutual benefit.
The Global Governance Initiative is both visionary and practical. Improving global governance requires persistent efforts over time, and building a better future requires the dedication of generations. As Dominica and more countries around the world come to better understand and actively participate in this important initiative, the forces committed to multilateralism will continue to grow stronger, and the goal of building a more just and equitable global governance system will steadily become a reality.
China stands ready to work side by side with Dominica, uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, advance the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative, and ensure that the fruits of global governance benefit all countries and all peoples.