A community of shared Future for mankind through true multilateral diplomacy

At all times and under all circumstances, the intrinsic nature of human society – in the sense that our destiny is interconnected and interdependent – remains unchanged. Multilateral diplomacy has long been a core component of international relations. However, since the advent of the modern era, certain forces have pursued power politics, bloc confrontation, and ideological division, practicing hegemonism and unilateralism. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the nation has not only established a new diplomatic framework emphasizing sovereignty but also pioneered a new approach to multilateral diplomacy, one that is grounded in true multilateralism on the global stage.

True multilateralism drives positive engagement between China and the world

In the late 1940s, led by the United States, Western nations refused to recognize the newly established People’s Republic of China, resulting in the latter’s exclusion from regional and international affairs. Despite these challenges and obstruction from major Western powers, China managed to make its first significant foray into multilateral diplomacy by attending the 1954 Geneva Conference on the Korean Peninsula and Indochina. Though no resolution was reached on the Korean Peninsula, China’s efforts contributed to breakthroughs on solving the Indochina issue.

The 1955 Bandung Conference marked another major multilateral event, which China proactively sought to attend and ended up contributing new principles to international relations, thanks to China’s efforts in mobilizing various parties to seek common ground while reserving differences. The Bandung Conference proved to be a milestone of multilateral diplomacy by Asian and African countries to get rid of imperialism and colonialism. China grasped the trend of the times, resolutely championed world peace, opposed threats of war, and firmly stood on the right side of history. By unifying its diplomatic efforts in safeguarding sovereignty and security, fostering solidarity with developing countries, and promoting the democratization of international relations, China managed to garner a strong international endorsement.

In 1971, China broke through diplomatic containment and resumed its lawful seat at the United Nations. This paved the way for deeper engagement in multilateral activities, including the landmark 1975 World Conference on Women, where China worked with over 130 delegations in contributing to the adoption of the “Mexico Declaration” and “World Plan of Action.” Following the reform and opening-up in 1979, China strengthened its interaction with the world, and accelerated its participation in multilateral diplomacy. Notably, in 1980, China sent a delegation to key disarmament negotiations under the UN framework. After navigating the complexities of a highly ideological and contested multilateral mechanism over security interests, China made unique contributions to the adoption of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. In 1984, China’s participation in the 71st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly marked the beginning of its role as a key member of this time-honored multilateral body.

Put simply, China is no stranger to multilateral diplomacy. It has accumulated considerable, invaluable experience in this field.

True multilateralism means greater international responsibilities

The end of the Cold War in the late 20th century brought significant changes to multilateral diplomacy. While some Cold War-era mechanisms, such as the Warsaw Pact and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon), dissolved, the UN remains the largest, most prominent and authoritative platform for intergovernmental cooperation. The system of international organizations represented by the UN is a key, indispensable platform for multilateral diplomacy. Engaging in UN-centered multilateral diplomacy continues to be China’s primary approach to multilateralism.

Since regaining its UN seat, China has engaged comprehensively with UN agencies and it currently stands as the second-largest contributor to the UN’s regular budget and the largest financial contributor of its peacekeeping operations. Additionally, China is the leading contributor of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. These are clear examples of China’s active fulfillment of its responsibilities as a major country, its extensive engagement in international affairs, and steadfast commitment to true multilateralism.

Beyond the UN, in the 30 years since the end of the Cold War, due to an increasing number of shared challenges, the international community has seen the continued emergence of multilateral mechanisms and diplomatic initiatives. Key platforms that have emerged or evolved during this period include the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) established in 1989, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in 1992, the enlargement of the European Union in 1993, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1994, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 1996, the ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) cooperation framework in 1997, the G20 in 1999, and the East Asia–Latin America Cooperation Forum, among others. These platforms have evolved into regional and, in some cases, global platforms for multilateral diplomacy.

Since entering the 21st century, multilateral mechanisms have proliferated. China has either initiated or actively participated in several key platforms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2001, the Boao Forum for Asia in 2002, the Six-Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula in 2003, the P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran in 2006, the BRICS in 2009, the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties in 2014, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2015, the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in 2022, and the High-Level Dialogue between the CPC and World Political Parties in 2023. These new multilateral platforms, which are tailored to post-Cold War global dynamics and reflect contemporary progress, have significantly enhanced the democratization of international relations, strengthened policy coordination and political dialogue among countries and political entities, and fostered mutual learning across civilizations in multiple dimensions.

It is noteworthy that throughout this process – especially in the initiation, creation, and leadership of the SCO, BRICS, and the “Belt and Road Initiative” – China has played an indispensable and unique role. Furthermore, China has made widely recognized and constructive contributions in other key platforms, including APEC, the G20, ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the Six-Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula, and the P5+1 nuclear negotiations. As both a committed practitioner of true multilateralism and a key promoter of new models of multilateral diplomacy, China’s contributions are undeniable.

True multilateralism charts a course to tackling global challenges

The world today faces significant challenges and pressures, marked by shifting power dynamics, profound strategic realignments, and the intertwining of old and new conflicts.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the US, as the world’s sole superpower, is sparing no effort in containing China’s peaceful rise. Apart from forming the so-called “alliance of democracies” aimed at excluding China globally, the US has fully revived the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance involving the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand under the framework of its “Indo-Pacific Strategy.” It has also actively promoted the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) with Japan, India, and Australia, and established the AUKUS trilateral nuclear submarine pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, while seeking to bring Japan into its fold. Moreover, in the fields of economy and technology, the US has launched exclusionary initiatives such as the “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework” and the “Chip Alliance” aimed at isolating China. Despite being cloaked in the rhetoric of multilateralism, these actions are, in essence, manifestations of hegemonism and bloc politics.

In contrast, China’s approach seeks to foster broader and deeper multilateral engagement aimed at shared progress. By advancing the “Global Development Initiative”, “Global Security Initiative”, and “Global Civilization Initiative” proposed by President Xi Jinping, China is committed to building an equitable and inclusive global order, promoting balanced economic globalization, and paving the way for building a community of shared future for mankind.

Excerpted from "A Community of Shared Future for Mankind through True Multilateral Diplomacy," Source: Institute for a Community with Shared Future, URL:https://icsf.cuc.edu.cn/2024/1029/c6040a244817/page.htm