摘要：When the world is becoming more insecure with new and more complex challenges and growing instability, a much-needed stabilizing f

By Frank Yang

When the world is becoming more insecure with new and more complex challenges and growing instability, a much-needed stabilizing factor and promising element is coming from China, specifically from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)Summit held in northernChina's port city of Tianjin. It's the organization's largest gathering of leadersfrom diverse countries and cultures in the SCO's 24years of history, focusing on global governance, regional peace and stability as well as common development.

In his keynote speech at the "SCO Plus" meetingon September 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed his Global Governance Initiative, following his previous Global Development, Global Security and Global Civilization Initiatives. In his new initiative, President Xi outlined five key points: adhering to the principle of sovereign equality, complying with the international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating people-oriented concept and focusing on action orientation.

This new Global Governance Initiative reflects the Chinese leader's vision about how world affairs should be managed and how the world should move forward. It's in line with his advocacy of the concept of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity. President Xi is not only concerned with China's own development but also the welfare of all mankind.

President Xi's new initiative comes at a critical juncture when the world is beset by renewed conflicts, growing confrontations, increasing protectionism, widespread poverty and a worsening climate crisis. In the face of these global challenges, the world requires a more just, fair, democratic and efficient global governance. In this sense, President Xi's Global Governance Initiative also reflects the common aspiration of the vast majority of countries and peoples in the world.

In his new initiative, President Xi outlined the roadmap to global governance, and highlighted the necessity of practicing multilateralism. Indeed, multilateralism is key to solving major challenges the world is facing today. The Executive Director of The United Nations Office for Project Services, Jorge MoreiraDa Silva said, when commenting on the United Nations' 80thAnniversary, that "The world needs more global coordination and reinforcement of multilateralism" and that "this approach is fundamental. Obviously,China plays a vital role." Indeed, China has been consistent in upholding the principle of, and practicing, multilateralism under the UN framework.

We are living in a world where no single power can solve all problems. What we need is solidarity and working together under a framework of multilateral cooperation. Siddharth Chartterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China told CGTN that "Today we are seeing a world which is fraught with difficulties." And that "What we need today is more global understanding. What we need today is more global solidarity." Not only that, unilateralism only creates problems, deepens crises and divides the world. It's in due course for countries in the world to answer the call of President Xi on his Global Governance Initiative and to take unified action in upholding multilateralism.

In the 1960s and 1970s, after most countries of the Global South had gained political independence, they were calling for a just and fair international economic order and generated a great debate at the UN. After more than half a century, the economic situation of many developing countries is still suffering from poverty and underdevelopment, due to the unjust economic world order. It's time to renew that call and for the world to come up with a fairer economic order which benefits all countries, and leads to common development. That's also a major part concerning a just and fair global governance. Common development is exactly what the SCO is working towards and what China is doing. China is making tangible results in sharing its own development benefits with the rest of the world.

Many rich countries are suffering from a sluggish economy, shrinking markets worldwide and increasing in-floods of refugees and illegal immigrants. It's wise for them to give more development opportunities to the Global South countries instead of depriving them of development rights. This is not philanthropy. It's a must if the rich countries want to grow their own economies, expand more markets overseas, and prevent refugees and illegal immigrants from flooding across their borders.

Throughout history, human civilization developed out of interaction among different cultures, and thrived on globalization. All major powers have benefited from globalization. There is no exception. No major power has developed on its own with closed borders. Unilateralism and protectionism will not only hamper the chances of development for others, but also decimate opportunities for themselves.

The SCO is a testament that countries with different cultures and political systems can work together for the common good of their people. The SCO is a vivid example of true multilateralism at work. And President Xi's Global Governance Initiative, along with his three other global initiatives, is China's endeavor to chart the course for the world's future advancement.

Frank Yang is a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN.

来源：中国网