BEIJING, 27 October 2025 (TATOLI) – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for stronger global solidarity and reform of international governance to build a fairer and more inclusive system, as he addressed the 23rd Lanting Forum in Beijing on Monday.
“It is my great pleasure to join you at the Lanting Forum in discussing how to improve global governance, expand solidarity and cooperation, and advance together toward a community with a shared future for humanity,” Wang said in his keynote remarks.
He said the current international system centered on the United Nations (UN) has served as a foundation for world peace and development for 80 years. However, he warned that “the dregs of unilateralism are stirring up again,” urging countries to “reform and improve global governance to make it more relevant in the forthcoming multipolar world.”
Wang highlighted President Xi Jinping’s newly launched Global Governance Initiative (GGI) as “the Chinese answer to this question of our times.” He said the GGI is built on five core principles — sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and results-oriented cooperation.
According to Wang, the GGI “builds on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter” and represents “a new major global public good contributed by China.” The initiative, he added, has already received support from more than 140 countries and international organizations.
“The most unequivocal message from the GGI is a call for stronger solidarity,” Wang emphasized, citing ongoing global conflicts that have displaced over 100 million people. “Blind worship of might, power politics and bullying will only push the world back to the law of the jungle,” he warned.
He said the GGI represents “a powerful statement of multilateralism,” calling on all countries to reject unilateral actions and strengthen multilateral mechanisms. “Global affairs should be discussed by all, the global governance system built by all, and the governance outcomes shared by all,” he said.
Wang added that fairness is the ultimate vision of the initiative. “It calls for greater representation and voice for developing countries, and rejects bullying of the small and weak,” he said. “The GGI will help safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries and fundamentally rectify historical injustice.”
Upholding the UN and Common Development
Wang reiterated that China will continue to uphold the authority and role of the United Nations. “The U.N.-centered international system must be strengthened, not weakened,” he said, stressing that “international rules should not be applied selectively according to one’s own interests.”
He announced China’s plan to establish a China-U.N. Global South-South Development Facility and a Global Center for Sustainable Development in Shanghai to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
On trade, Wang said China will continue to support an open and inclusive global market. He noted that “while remaining a developing country, China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO.”
“China calls for an end to politicizing economic and trade issues, to fragmenting the global market, and to reckless decisions to wage trade and tariff wars,” he said.
Wang also reaffirmed China’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which he said has benefited “over three-fourths of all countries in the world.” China, he added, will “fully deliver on the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines given to least developed countries and African countries having diplomatic relations with China.”
Tackling Global Challenges
On climate change, Wang said “no country should lag behind, and none should shirk its responsibility.” He urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments and provide support to developing nations.
Wang said China will continue to take “concrete actions” under the Paris Agreement and promote cooperation in green technologies.
He also underlined the need for global cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), saying it “should benefit all humanity” and not be “monopolized by a few countries nor maliciously abused.” He said China supports the UN’s leading role in AI governance and has initiated the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO) to advance “AI for good and for all.”
On global security, Wang reiterated China’s position on key conflicts. He called for “a genuine, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire” in Gaza and reaffirmed support for “the Palestinians governing Palestine” principle and the two-state solution. On Ukraine, he said China “actively promotes peace talks” and is ready to work with the international community “to continue the efforts for peace.”
Amplifying the Global South’s Voice
Wang emphasized that the rise of the Global South must be reflected in international governance. “Making sure that developing countries equally take part in major global decision-making is key to just and effective governance,” he said.
He urged reform of the international financial system to reflect “major shifts in the world economic landscape” and called for greater representation for developing countries, especially Africa, in the UN Security Council.
“Global governance will enter the ‘Global South Time,’” Wang said, noting that upcoming global events hosted by South Africa, Brazil and Qatar will amplify the South’s collective voice.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Wang said China will take an active role in regional and multilateral platforms. “China will soon assume the rotating presidency of APEC 2026,” he said, pledging to promote “the building of an Asia-Pacific community and a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.”
He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), saying both play a “vital role in advancing global governance reform.”
Wang further highlighted the recent inauguration of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, describing it as “the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation.”
China’s Vision Ahead
In closing, Wang said China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will open “new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation.”
“A China steadily advancing modernization will undoubtedly create vast opportunities for the common development of the world,” he said. “We stand ready to work with the international community, fully deliver the Global Governance Initiative, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and jointly usher in a brighter tomorrow for humanity.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de Assis Belo
