On April 21, 2023, Mme. Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, published an article entitled "The Mission of China's Diplomacy: Building a community with a shared future for mankind by practising the three global initiatives" in the Guyana Chronicle newspaper. Below is the full article:
Today, human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The global economic recovery remains sluggish, the development gap is widening, geopolitical confrontation is intensifying, the Cold War mentality is lingering, and ecological environment is deteriorating. Some countries, out of their selfish interests, are peddling the so called “democracy versus authoritarianism” false narrative and creating confrontation in the international community. Such practices are very dangerous and go against the trend of the times of peace and development and the interests of all peoples in the world. Peaceful development and win-win cooperation are the right paths for mankind.
Development is the right of all countries in the world, the collective rise of developing countries is unstoppable, and the profound evolution of the international landscape is a trend that will not bend to the will of any individuals or states. In this process, it is inevitable that various forces, thoughts and rules will collide, and the key is how to deal with them. “What kind of world to build, how to build this world?” is a question of this era faced by all countries.
Ten years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the major idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, advocating common values of all humankind, true multilateralism, and extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance. This vision has garnered broad consensus and strong synergy of solidarity and cooperation at the international level, and has been written into the UN resolutions many times. Since 2021, President Xi has put forward three major global initiatives, which have become important basis for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The Global Development Initiative (GDI), aiming to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals worldwide, focuses on promoting international cooperation in eight key areas, including poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy, and connectivity.
The Global Security Initiative (GSI) calls on countries to stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, take the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, peacefully resolve differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, maintain security in both traditional and non-traditional domains, advocating adaption to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and response to the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset.
The Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) calls for respecting the diversity of civilizations, advocating the common values of humanity, valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and advancing the progress of human civilizations via inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations.
The vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the three global initiatives are China's answers to the question of our times and are important public goods provided by China to the world, demonstrating China's commitment as a major developing country and its dedication to pursue progress for the world.
The vision and the three initiatives are deeply rooted in traditional Chinese civilization. With a history of more than 5,000 years, Chinese civilization cherishes the value of promoting “harmony among all nations”,“common good” and “universal peace”, and has embedded the traits of peaceful development into China's cultural genes. Like most developing countries, China suffered from foreign invasion and humiliation in modern history. We must learn from history and never let the historical tragedy of the strong bullying the weak repeat itself.
The vision and the three initiatives embody the tradition of China’s independent foreign policy of peace. This year marks the 70th anniversary of China's initiation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. These principles are not only the cornerstone of China's foreign policy, but have also long been the basic norms of international relations. To defend the common interests of all developing countries and promote a fairer and more equitable international political and economic order, we should never allow international law and basic norms in international relations to be trampled upon.
China is both an advocate and practitioner of the vision and the three initiatives. Over the past ten years, we have made comprehensive and groundbreaking achievements in building a community with a shared future for mankind. GDI, GSI and GCI have been warmly received by the international community.
Recently, President Xi paid a state visit to Russia and demonstrated China's willingness to play a positive role for the political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Leaders of France, the European Union and Brazil visited China, and “independence”, “high-quality development” and “constructive role” became buzzwords, highlighting that fostering world peace, stability and prosperity is the expectation of all peoples, and seeking common ground while resolving differences, advancing win-win, and open cooperation is in the interest of all peoples.
China has facilitated the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, contributing to the security and stability in the Middle East.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras fully proves that standing up for the one-China principle is a correct choice that follows international justice and meets the trend of the times.
All countries should jointly shape the future of the world, write international rules, manage global affairs and ensure that development outcomes are shared by all. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the way forward for all the people. China is willing to work with all peace-loving countries, including Guyana, to focus on people-centered and peaceful development, adhere to win-win cooperation, uphold true multilateralism and the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively practice the three global initiatives, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and an open, inclusive, clean, beautiful world on lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.