By Wu Fan
At the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue wrapped up on June 2, China's approach to global security resonated widely.
As the core of the Global Security Initiative (GSI), China's approach to global security is based on the core connotations of the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. It embodies the Chinese wisdom of harmony in diversity and harmonious coexistence. It is the ideological guide for China to join hands with other countries in the new era to participate in global security governance and promote the building of a global community of security for all.
China's approach to global security advocates for common security and highlights the interconnected interests and shared vulnerabilities of all countries, which are in a community with destinies linked, with no one can stay immune. This concept of common security is embedded with universal, equal, and inclusive security principles, stressing the importance of considering the legitimate security concerns of all countries and rejecting the pursuit of the so-called absolute security at the expense of the security of others. This stance firmly opposes hegemonism and power politics. In recent years, documents such as China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, China's Position on the Afghan Issue, Common Understandings Between China and Brazil on Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, and the China-Arab states joint statement on the Palestinian issue have played a constructive role in de-escalating conflicts and promoting peace and stability in turbulent regions.
China's approach to global security promotes comprehensive security, emphasizing the coordinated maintenance of security in both traditional and non-traditional domains. Currently, issues such as regional conflicts, terrorism, transnational crime, cybersecurity, biosecurity, and artificial intelligence security emerge one after another, posing significant challenges to human society. In recent years, China has not only promoted political solutions to international and regional hotspot issues but also proposed initiatives and positions on non-traditional security governance. For example, China proposed the Global Initiative on Data Security, the Global AI Governance Initiative, and the concept of "building a community with a shared future for mankind that is free from the harm of drugs." These efforts aim to gather international consensus on addressing security challenges and advance global security governance in a coordinated manner.
China's approach to global security advocates for cooperative security, emphasizing the cultivation of awareness to collaboratively address security challenges, the expansion of cooperation fields, and the innovation of cooperation methods, and the promotion of peace and security through cooperation. China upholds true multilateralism and has provided numerous public goods for global security through the United Nations and other multilateral platforms. Under mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the BRICS, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), China+Central Asia, and the China-Arab States Summit, China has steadily conducted security cooperation around common or similar goals. Through platforms like the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, and the China-Latin America High-level Defense Forum, China has helped further consolidate international efforts to address security challenges.
China's approach to global security advocates for sustainable security, emphasizing enduring world peace and sustainable human development. Development deficits often trigger many global issues and are closely related to the emergence of global security deficits. China's Global Development Initiative (GDI) and GSI incorporate the "accelerated implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" as an essential part of their scientific connotation, reflecting China's wisdom of promoting sustainable security through sustainable development. As a major country, China has actively assumed its responsibilities. It earnestly upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, participates actively in UN peacekeeping operations, deeply engages in international negotiations under frameworks like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and provides development assistance in poverty reduction, disaster relief, public health, and food security to Global South countries. These efforts promote the practical implementation of the green Belt and Road projects and contribute to sustainable human development and global security.
At present, the global security landscape is undergoing profound changes. Setting eyes on the future, as a constructive force for global peace and development, China will continue to contribute its wisdom and solutions to help the world move towards the path of peace and prosperity.
(The author is a researcher at the Overseas Security Interests Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education.)
