Global Security Initiative

President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Security Initiative, delivering the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022 

This is another international public product provided by China to the world after the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. Instability and uncertainty in international security have increased significantly, and the world has become more restless and anxious. Before the fog of the COVID-19 pandemic had cleared away, the Ukrainian crisis flared up again. The threats of unilateralism, hegemonism and brute power politics are on the rise. There are dangers of geopolitical conflicts, invisible to the eye, caused by bloc politics and the Cold War mentality. Non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity, refugee crisis, food security continue to spread. 


The global economy is still weakly recovering, inflationary pressures are constantly rising, one after another, crises are gaining momentum in finance, trade, energy and supply chains. Some countries have unreasonably imposed unilateral sanctions, insist on the construction of ‘small courtyards with high fences’, suppress and hold back the economic and technological development of other countries, which has further worsened the well-being of the people of all countries of the world, especially developing ones.

The world is in dire need of achieving a lasting peace for the sake of everyone’s security amid a complex international situation. 

Concerned about the future of humanity, President Xi Jinping launched the Global Security Initiative, emphasising that ‘security is a prerequisite for development, and humanity is an indivisible security community.’

Complex approach

The essence of the Global Security Initiative is based on six postulates. It not only aims to address the practical issues of human security, but is also a long-term course towards world peace and will undoubtedly serve as an important conceptual guide for advancing the reform of the global security governance system, addressing the security issues of all humanity and promoting the formation of the Community of Common Destiny.

First, it is necessary to adhere to the concept of common, comprehensive, joint and sustainable security, to work together in order to ensure peace and security in the world.
Second, it is necessary to follow the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, respect for the path of development and social system independently chosen by each people. 

The principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of the norms of modern international relations. All countries — big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor — are equal members of the international community. Interference in the internal affairs of other states must not be allowed, their sovereignty and dignity must be respected, as well as their right to independently choose a social system and development path must be protected.
History has repeatedly warned us that considering ourselves above all and using our strength to mock the weak is the cause of unrest, and the law of the jungle and the logic of brute power is the source of military unrest. In today’s rapidly changing world, we must resist the hegemonic encroachment on sovereignty, uphold sovereign independence and equality, promote equality of rights, opportunities and rules for all countries.

Third, it is necessary to strictly observe the goals and principles of the UN Charter, abandon the Cold War mentality and unilateralism, and prevent bloc or confrontational thinking. 

The goals and principles of the UN Charter carry deep rethinking of the peoples of the world about the painful historical lessons of the two world wars. They form the institutional plan of humanity to achieve collective security and lasting peace. President Xi Jinping noted that various confrontations and injustices in the modern world do not occur because the goals and principles of the UN Charter are outdated, but precisely because they are not implemented effectively. Faced with changes and a pandemic unprecedented in a century, we need to implement true multilateralism, resolutely reject unilateralism and all forms of pseudo-multilateralism, and firmly uphold the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We also need to counteract all ‘local’ foundations that are not recognised by the UN and contrary to the spirit of the UN Charter.

Fourth, it is necessary to pay due attention to the rational concerns of each country on security guarantees, adhere to the principle of indivisible security in the interests of building a balanced, effective and sustainable security system, and prevent attempts to ensure one’s own security at the expense of the security of others.

Humanity is an indivisible security community. The security of one country cannot be achieved by infringing on the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be ensured by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. The security interests of all countries are equal and interdependent. The just and rational security concerns of any country should be taken seriously and properly addressed. They should not be ignored and systematically violated over a long period of time.
The long-term way to overcome the challenges of global security is to respect the principle of indivisible security, to give importance to rational security concerns for each other, and to establish a balanced, efficient and sustainable security system to achieve universal and common security.

Fifth, it is necessary to resolve interstate differences and disputes only peacefully through dialogue and negotiations, welcome all efforts to peacefully resolve crises, oppose the use of double standards, the abuse of unilateral sanctions and the ‘long-arm statute’.

International practice has fully demonstrated that neither war nor sanctions can become the main way to resolve disputes, but only dialogue and negotiations are the most effective ways to resolve differences.
The international community must clearly support all efforts that contribute to the peaceful resolution of crises, counteract any forces that stir up discord and destroy peace negotiations. All interested parties must work together to de-escalate conflicts, maintain stability and promote reconciliation.

Sixth, it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach to issues of traditional and non-traditional security, to join forces in countering regional conflicts and global problems such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biological security. 

China is the originator of the Global Security Initiative and is an activist in maintaining peace and tranquillity throughout the world. Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, China has firmly stood for international law and universally recognised basic norms of international relations, adheres to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The People’s Republic of China advocates the concept of common, comprehensive, joint and sustainable security, calls on all parties to face the contradictions that have accumulated over the years and find ways to resolve concerns to help build a balanced, efficient and sustainable security system in Europe. China also offers a constructive blueprint for resolving the crisis and building lasting peace in Europe and the Eurasian continent. 
For a long time, China has been actively participating in UN peacekeeping operations, as well as in the process of international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, firmly adhering to a defensive nuclear strategy, and concentrating efforts to promote a political settlement of such acute concerns as the nuclear issues of the DPRK and Iran. China is committed to the development of international anti-epidemic co-operation, actively takes a leadership position in the global climate management process, and puts forward the Global Data Security Initiative, making important contributions to the fight against non-traditional security threats.
China is ready to make joint efforts with all peace-loving and development-oriented countries and peoples of the world, including Belarus, to implement the Global Security Initiative introduced by President Xi Jinping, pave a broad path to lasting peace and global security, and unite powerful efforts to create a Community of Common Destiny, to pass on the bonfire and flame of peace from generation to generation, and to make the world even more peaceful, safe and prosperous. 

Xie Xiaoyong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus