Chinese President Xi Jinping has advocated for a collaborative approach to forge an equitable and structured multipolar world, emphasizing the need for more just and fair global governance. He underscored the importance of enhancing the representation and influence of Global South nations in international affairs. This call to action was made during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1.
President Xi highlighted the significant impact of the Global South’s emergence, which is altering the international power dynamics and cementing the trend toward a multipolar world as an unstoppable force. He insisted that international relations should be grounded in sovereign equality, mutual respect, multilateralism, and open dialogue and consultation. Xi urged that all countries, irrespective of their size, strength, or economic status, should have equal rights, opportunities, and adherence to established rules. Furthermore, he called on major world powers to adhere to international norms and uphold the rule of law.
Strengthening the role of the United Nations to ensure broader participation in addressing global issues was another key point of Xi’s speech. He stressed the importance of prioritizing development, fostering openness and cooperation, and bridging the digital and artificial intelligence divides to ensure that technological progress benefits a wider range of countries. Xi also pointed to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s 25 years of cooperative experience as a testament to successful collaboration among nations with diverse political systems, cultures, and development levels.
In addition, Xi emphasized the need for intensified SCO Plus partnerships and advocated for increased cooperation across Asia and Europe through the Belt and Road initiative, aiming for high-quality collaboration. These statements follow his proposal of the Global Governance Initiative at the previous year’s SCO Plus Meeting in Tianjin. According to China, this initiative has garnered support from numerous countries and international organizations since its introduction.