Unpacking Wang Yi's Speech on Global Governance at Lanting Forum
Earlier today, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered an important speech at the 23rd Lanting Forum in Beijing (Official English version). The speech, while taking several shots at the US and reiterating some routine Chinese talking points, outlines key aspects of Chinese policy thinking about the international order. Let me share some thoughts before we get to the speech:
First and foremost is China’s clear and unequivocal support for the UN-centered international system and the Bretton Woods institutions, while seeking to reform them to reflect changes in the international landscape. For those who argue that China wants to overthrow the international order, they should read this speech. Likewise, those who argue that China does not have significant revisionist ambitions, they should read this speech. Wang is very clear that China is dissatisfied and wants to revise the global institutional order from within.
Second, in this context, Wang is categorical that he views regional and other plurilateral groupings like the BRICS and SCO and institutions like AIIB and the NDB must play complementary and augmenting roles rather than be seen as efforts to start order-building from scratch. That said, orders are built based on who makes the rules, and as organisations that Beijing dominates expand in prominence, their impact on regional and international order building will be in line with Beijing’s interests, policies and worldview. This aligns well with the first point.
Third, in projecting China as a defender of the multilateral trading order, Wang calls for “an end to the politicisation of economic and trade issues, an end to artificially splitting global markets, and an end to frequently provoking trade wars and tariff wars”. Yet, the fact is that Beijing has developed a fairly sophisticated toolkit for economic coercion, which is only going to be further refined. This is going to be the trend of the times unfortunately regardless of the rhetoric.
Fourth, on the climate change issue, I believe that China truly has the initiative. It has made tremendous progress in renewable energy and is increasingly advancing rapidly in green technologies. This is a critical domain in which Beijing holds the strategic initiative.
Fifth and finally, on the governance of emerging technologies, Beijing again is taking the initiative to step out and frame the rules. The AI initiatives are an effort in ensuring application scale and promoting the Chinese vision of governance through the UN. This is a sophisticated effort, reaching out to the vast majority of the world.
Anyway, I have a lot more that I can say, but let’s turn to Wang Yi. The speech focussed on the Global Governance Initiative and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Wang said that today “unilateralism is resurfacing, and global challenges are emerging one after another. How should we reform and improve global governance so that it better adapts to the arrival of a multipolar world? This is a major question that the international community is thinking about and pondering. 几天前，我们刚刚庆祝了联合国日。80年来，以联合国为核心的国际体系支撑了世界和平与发展，多边主义的理念日益深入人心。80年后的今天，单边主义沉渣泛起，全球挑战接踵而来，如何改革完善全球治理，使之更好适应多极世界的到来，这是国际社会都在思考和关注的重大问题.
He said that Xi’s articulation of GGI is “China’s response to this challenge of our times”. He called it a “major initiative”, saying that GGI is “rooted in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, inherits the fine traditions of Chinese diplomacy, and upholds the concept of a shared future for mankind. It clarifies the principles, methods, and paths for reforming and improving global governance. It represents an innovation and elevation in the understanding of the laws governing global governance, and a transcendence and sublation of traditional theories of international relations. It is another major public good contributed by China to the world.” 全球治理倡议植根联合国宪章宗旨原则，传承中国外交优良传统，秉持命运与共理念，阐明了改革完善全球治理的原则、方法和路径，是对全球治理规律认识的创新和升华，实现了对传统国际关系理论的扬弃和超越，是中国为世界贡献的又一重大公共产品.
GGI fits what the world needs and accords with the aspirations of the people. Alongside the GDI, GSI and GCI, it injects precious stability and certainty into a turbulent and unstable world, and has quickly received clear/explicit support from more than 140 countries and international organizations. The international community believes that the initiative calls for unity at a time when the world faces division, erects pillars and beams when the foundation of the United Nations appears to be shaking, clearly advocates governance rules that are shared rather than monopolised, takes into account the greatest common denominator of different countries, is an important measure to respond to global challenges and defend multilateralism, and is a key step toward a more just and reasonable world. 全球治理倡议契合世界所需，顺应人心所向，同全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议一道，为动荡不安的世界注入宝贵的稳定性、确定性，迅速得到140多个国家和国际组织的明确支持。国际社会认为，倡议在世界面临分裂之际呼吁团结，在联合国基础出现动摇之时立柱架梁，明确倡导共享而非垄断的治理规则，兼顾不同国家的最大公约数，是应对全球挑战、捍卫多边主义的重要举措，是朝向更加公正合理世界迈出的关键一步.
The clearest message of GGI is to gather the strength of unity. Currently, over 50 conflicts of various types are raging around the world, displacing over 100 million people. A world where chaos and turmoil are intertwined needs to strengthen global governance more than at any time in the past. If one blindly worships strength and indulges in power politics and bullying, it will only push the world into a jungle of the strong preying on the weak, shaking the very foundations of the international system and its rules. President Xi Jinping’s timely proposal of GGI has sent a strong message for all countries to work together to meet challenges, building consensus and strength for unity over division and cooperation over confrontation. 全球治理倡议最明确的信息，就是汇聚团结的力量。当下全球同时存在50多场各类冲突，超过1亿人流离失所。一个变乱交织的世界，比以往任何时候都更需要加强全球治理。如果迷信实力至上，热衷强权霸凌，只会把世界推向弱肉强食的丛林，动摇国际体系和规则的根基。习近平主席及时提出全球治理倡议，发出各国同舟共济、携手应对挑战的时代强音，凝聚起要团结不要分裂、要合作不要对抗的共识和力量.
The most firm position of GGI is to hold high the banner of multilateralism. Multilateralism is the cornerstone of today’s international order, and even more so the path to promoting peace and development. Frequently ‘withdrawing from groups and breaking treaties’ 退群毁约, and being keen on weaving small camp-based small circles, has caused multilateralism to suffer unprecedented challenges. However, the tide of history cannot be reversed; a multipolar world is arriving. GGI upholds the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, advocating that global affairs be discussed together by all, governance systems be built together by all, and governance outcomes be shared together by all, while rejecting all acts of unilateralism. This position aligns with the direction of the progress of the times, reflects the voice of the vast majority of countries, and will strongly boost the international community’s confidence and determination in practicing multilateral ideas and consolidating multilateral mechanisms. 全球治理倡议最坚定的立场，就是高举多边的旗帜。多边主义是当今国际秩序的基石，更是促进和平与发展的路径。动辄“退群毁约”，热衷编织阵营化小圈子，使多边主义遭受前所未有的挑战。但是，历史潮流无法逆转，多极世界正在到来。全球治理倡议坚持共商共建共享，主张全球事务大家一起商量，治理体系大家一起建设，治理成果大家一起分享，拒绝一切单边主义行径。这一立场顺应时代进步的方向，反映绝大多数国家的心声，必将有力提振国际社会践行多边理念、筑牢多边机制的信心和定力.
The most yearned-for vision of GGI is to pursue a fair future. The initiative takes as its goal the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system and jointly advancing toward a community with a shared future for mankind. It advocates enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries, and does not accept the strong bullying the weak or the large oppressing the small; it upholds the equal and uniform application of international law and international rules, and does not agree to a few countries imposing their ‘house rules’ upon others; it advocates bridging the North–South development gap as soon as possible, to better safeguard the common interests of all countries; it calls for developed countries to earnestly fulfil their responsibilities, and for developing countries also to unite and strengthen themselves. It not only answers the question of where the global governance system should go, but also provides a clear and feasible roadmap, conducive to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South countries, and fundamentally correcting historical injustices. 全球治理倡议最渴望的愿景，就是追求公平的未来。倡议以构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系，携手迈向人类命运共同体为目标，主张提升发展中国家的代表性和发言权，不接受以大欺小、以强凌弱；主张国际法和国际规则平等统一适用，不同意将少数国家的“家规”强加于人；主张尽快弥合南北发展鸿沟，更好维护各国共同利益；呼吁发达国家要切实履行责任，发展中国家也要联合自强。不仅回答了全球治理体系向何处去，而且给出了清晰可行的路径方案，有利于维护全球南方国家的正当权益，从根本上纠正历史不公.
The next bit is the operative, important part.
“To promote the implementation of GGI, China is willing to work together with all parties, adhere to equal consultation, treat different viewpoints with an open mind, absorb useful suggestions with an inclusive attitude, thereby building maximum consensus. It is essential to adhere to upholding integrity while pursuing innovation and keep pace with the times in reforming and improving the existing international system, rather than starting from scratch. Adhere to advancing step by step and make unremitting efforts over time to promote the transformation of the global governance system, so that it benefits the entire world.” 理念照亮前方之路，合作开创美好明天。为推动落实全球治理倡议，中方愿同各方一道，坚持平等协商，以开放心态对待不同观点，以包容态度吸收有益建议，最大限度凝聚各方共识；坚持守正创新，与时俱进对现行国际体系进行改革完善，而不是另起炉灶；坚持循序渐进，久久为功推动全球治理体系变革，使之惠及整个世界.(Note: This is an extremely useful quote. It’s as straight-forward a statement as one will get about Beijing’s revisionist agenda when it comes to the UN-centered international institutional system.)
To this end, we must first jointly uphold the authority and status of the UN and strengthen the foundation of global governance. The international system, with the UN at its core, has always been a vital guarantee for human progress. It can only be strengthened, not weakened. Many of the problems facing the world today stem precisely from the failure to fully implement the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. All countries must jointly uphold the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations and fully and, in good faith, fulfil their international obligations. They must not use international rules when they serve them and abandon them when they do not; still less, they must not wilfully try to choke/have a stranglehold on (卡脖子) the UN. The process of democratisation and the rule of law in international relations is unstoppable. As long as we maintain firm confidence and work together, the UN will surely overcome difficulties, restore its authority, and regain its vitality. 为此，第一，我们要共同维护联合国的权威和地位，筑牢全球治理的基石。以联合国为核心的国际体系始终是人类进步事业的重要保障，只能加强，不能削弱。当今世界面临的诸多问题，恰恰是因为联合国宪章的宗旨和原则没有得到贯彻执行。各国要共同捍卫联合国宪章和国际关系基本准则，全面善意履行国际义务，不能对国际规则合则用、不合则弃，更不能动辄对联合国“卡脖子”。国际关系民主化、法治化进程不可阻挡，只要我们坚定信心，共同努力，联合国就一定能克服困难，重振权威，重现活力.
China’s support for the UN is consistent and unwavering. We solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, aiming to safeguard the gains of World War II and the post-war international order, and uphold international fairness and justice. We successfully held the Global Women’s Summit, empowering the development of women’s causes around the world through concrete actions. We announced the establishment of the China-UN Global South-South Development Support Mechanism and the establishment of a Global Sustainable Development Center in Shanghai with the UNDP to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We call on all countries to actively participate in the UN’s cooperation agenda in areas such as poverty reduction, infrastructure, education, and health. The ‘UN 80th Anniversary Reform Initiative has entered a critical stage of consultation and advancement among member states. China supports the UN’s reform efforts and is willing to work with all countries to strengthen support for the UN system. 中国对联合国的支持一以贯之，坚定不移。我们隆重纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年，旨在捍卫二战胜利成果和战后国际秩序，维护国际的公平正义。我们成功举办全球妇女峰会，以实际行动赋能全球妇女事业发展。我们宣布建立中国—联合国全球南南发展支持机制，同联合国开发计划署在上海设立全球可持续发展中心，加快落实2030年可持续发展议程。我们呼吁各国积极参与联合国减贫、基础设施、教育、卫生等领域合作议程。“联合国80周年改革倡议”已经进入会员国协商推进的关键阶段，中国支持联合国力行革新，也愿同各国加强对联合国系统的支持.
Second, we must work together to advance common development and enhance the effectiveness of global governance. International trade is a key engine of global economic growth. Giving full play to the WTO’s role and maintaining an open and inclusive trading environment serves the fundamental interests of all parties. China has announced that, while upholding its developing country status, it will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future WTO negotiations. This is a concrete vote of confidence in the multilateral trading system. We call for an end to the politicisation of economic and trade issues, an end to artificially splitting global markets, and an end to frequently provoking trade wars and tariff wars. 第二，我们要协力推动共同发展的进程，提升全球治理效能。国际贸易是世界经济增长的关键引擎。发挥世贸组织功能，维护开放包容贸易环境，符合各方根本利益。中方已经宣布，在坚持自身发展中国家定位的同时，在世贸组织当前和未来谈判中不寻求新的特殊和差别待遇，这是中国以实际行动对多边贸易体制投下的信任票。我们呼吁停止将经贸问题政治化，停止人为割裂全球市场，停止动辄挑起贸易战、关税战.
Currently, the momentum of international development cooperation has weakened, and the North-South divide has widened. We must put development back at the center of the international agenda, mobilise global development resources, and build an equal and balanced global development partnership. The high-quality joint construction of BRI, jointly promoted by China and its partners, has benefited over three-quarters of the world’s countries. We are also implementing the Ten Partnership Actions for Modernisation with African countries, building Five Major Projects with Latin American countries, establishing Five Cooperation Frameworks with Arab countries, and establishing Seven Major Cooperation Platforms with Pacific island countries, working hand in hand on the path to modernisation. China’s door to the outside world will only open wider. We will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines for all products from the least developed countries and African countries with which we have diplomatic ties, sharing development opportunities with more countries and peoples. 当前国际发展合作动能减弱，南北鸿沟进一步扩大。我们要将发展重新置于国际议程的中心，动员全球发展资源，构建平等均衡的全球发展伙伴关系。中国同合作伙伴协力推动的高质量共建“一带一路”，已经惠及全球超过四分之三国家。我们还同非洲国家实施现代化“十大伙伴行动”，同拉美国家建设“五大工程”，同阿拉伯国家构建“五大合作格局”，同太平洋岛国建设七大合作平台，携手同行现代化之路。中国对外开放的大门只会越开越大，我们将全面落实对所有建交的最不发达国家和非洲国家100%税目产品零关税待遇，同更多国家和人民共享发展机遇.
“Third, we must unite to respond to pressing and prominent challenges and make up for the shortcomings in global governance. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Climate change has become an urgent and imminent issue. In responding to climate change, no one can fall behind, and no country can act as a deserter. Developed countries should earnestly fulfil their emission-reduction commitments and provide financial and technological support to developing countries. China is willing to actively play its role, match its words with actions, and do its best according to its capabilities. President Xi Jinping recently announced a new round of China’s nationally determined contributions, which are goals formulated by measuring against the requirements of the Paris Agreement and reflecting China’s greatest possible efforts. China is willing to strengthen international cooperation with the international community on green technology and industry, and firmly grasp the correct direction of green transformation.” 第三，我们要团结应对紧迫突出挑战，弥补全球治理短板。今年是《巴黎协定》达成10周年。气候变化成为迫在眉睫的课题。应对气候变化谁都不能掉队，没有国家可以当逃兵。发达国家应认真履行减排承诺，向发展中国家提供资金技术支持。中国愿积极发挥作用，言出必行，尽力而为。习近平主席近期宣布新一轮中国国家自主贡献，这是中国对照《巴黎协定》要求、体现最大努力制定的目标。我们愿同国际社会加强绿色技术和产业国际协作，把牢绿色转型正确方向.
“Science and technology are advancing at a rapid pace, and global governance must keep pace with the times. AI should benefit all of humanity, not become the exclusive domain of a few countries, let alone be maliciously abused. China supports the UN in playing a leading role in global AI governance, guiding countries in strengthening the alignment of AI development strategies, governance rules, and technical standards, and forming a governance framework and standards with broad consensus. China is actively implementing the ‘Global AI Governance Initiative’, promotes the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, is committed to AI developing toward the good and with inclusive benefits, assists in capacity building for Global South countries, and welcomes all countries to actively participate.” 科技发展日新月异，全球治理需要赶上时代。人工智能应该造福全人类，而不应成为少数国家的专利，更不应被恶意滥用。中方支持联合国在人工智能全球治理中发挥主渠道作用，引领各国加强人工智能发展战略、治理规则、技术标准对接，形成具有广泛共识的治理框架和标准规范。中方积极落实《全球人工智能治理倡议》，推动成立世界人工智能合作组织，致力于人工智能向善普惠发展，助力全球南方国家能力建设，欢迎各国积极参与.
Building a world of universal and common security is the due responsibility of the international community. The first phase agreement of the Gaza conflict is worth welcoming; the humanitarian disaster has finally been alleviated, but the peace situation remains extremely fragile. The Chinese side calls for achieving true comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, practicing the principle of ‘Palestinians governing Palestine’; promoting the implementation path of the ‘two-state solution’, and realising long-term peace and stability in the Middle East. The Ukraine crisis still continues to drag on; the Chinese side persists in an objective and impartial position, actively calls for peace and promotes talks, and is willing to work together with the international community to continue striving for peace. 建设一个普遍和共同安全的世界，是国际社会的应尽责任。加沙冲突第一阶段协议值得欢迎，人道灾难终于得到缓解，但和平形势依然十分脆弱。中方呼吁实现真正的全面持久停火，践行“巴人治巴”的原则，推动“两国方案”的实施路径，实现中东地区的长治久安。乌克兰危机仍在延宕，中方坚持客观公正立场，积极劝和促谈，愿同国际社会一道，继续为和平而努力。
Fourth, we must actively respond to the demands of the Global South and improve the global governance architecture. The Global South is collectively rising; enabling developing countries to participate equally in major global governance decisions is essential for achieving fair and effective governance. We advocate that the voices of the South be fully heard, its presence be expanded, and its legitimate rights and interests be safeguarded in international rule-making. 第四，我们要积极回应全球南方诉求，完善全球治理架构。全球南方正在群体性崛起，让广大发展中国家平等参与全球治理重大决策，是实现公正、有效治理的应有之义。我们主张，在国际规则制定中，要充分听取南方声音，扩大南方存在，维护南方正当权益.
The reform of the international financial system has been seriously lagging behind, failing to reflect the dramatic changes in the global economic landscape. We support advancing the IMF quota adjustment and the World Bank shareholding review according to the agreed timetable and roadmap, aiming to address the ‘democratic deficit’ in global economic and financial governance as soon as possible. We support the AIIB and the BRICS NDB in playing a greater role, complementing existing financial institutions and jointly safeguarding global financial stability. 国际金融体系改革进程严重滞后，未能反映世界经济格局的巨大变化。我们支持按照商定的时间表和路线图，推进国际货币基金组织份额占比调整，开展世界银行股权审议，尽快弥补全球经济金融治理的“民主赤字”。我们支持亚投行、金砖国家新开发银行发挥更大作用，对现有金融机构形成有益补充，共同维护全球金融稳定.
Faced with major crises and conflicts, the UN Security Council has failed to effectively respond to the expectations of the international community. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China firmly supports Security Council reform and insists that the correct direction of reform is to increase the representation and voice of developing countries. The most urgent task is to make special arrangements to prioritise the demands of Africa. 面对重大危机冲突，联合国安理会未能有效回应国际社会期待。中国作为安理会常任理事国，坚定支持安理会改革，坚持改革的正确方向就是增加发展中国家代表性和发言权，当务之急是就优先解决非洲诉求作出特殊安排.
China believes that the Global South has the will, the right, and the capability to become a key force in the transformation of global governance. In the next phase, global governance will enter a ‘Southern era’. South Africa, Brazil, and Qatar will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the UN Climate Change Conference, and the World Summit for Social Development, respectively. China will fully support Global South countries in hosting these summits and make a ‘South’s contribution’ to global governance. 中方认为，全球南方有意愿、有权利，也有能力成为全球治理变革中的关键力量。下阶段，全球治理将进入“南方时间”，南非、巴西、卡塔尔作为东道主，将分别举办二十国集团领导人峰会、联合国气候变化大会、社会发展世界峰会。中方将全力支持南方国家办会，作出全球治理的“南方贡献”.
Fifth, we must give full play to the role of diverse actors, and gather together the combined strength for global governance. Various regional cooperation mechanisms and specialized platforms are flourishing, forming an important fresh force in global governance. China will soon host APEC in 2026 and looks forward to working with all parties to advance the development of the Asia-Pacific community and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, leading new development in the region. The BRICS cooperation mechanism has continuously expanded its representativeness and has become the most important platform for solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. China firmly supports the high-quality development of BRICS+ cooperation and takes fairness and justice, openness and inclusiveness as guiding principles in leading the reform of global governance. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), practicing the ‘Shanghai Spirit’, is increasingly becoming an active driving force in the construction and reform of the global governance system, and China supports the SCO in expanding cooperation with the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly improving global and regional governance. 第五，我们要充分发挥多元主体作用，汇聚全球治理合力。各类区域合作机制和专业平台蓬勃发展，构成全球治理的重要生力军。中国即将接任亚太经合组织2026年东道主，期待与各方一道推进亚太共同体和亚太自贸区建设，引领亚太新发展。金砖合作机制的代表性不断扩大，已经成长为新兴市场和发展中国家团结合作的最重要平台。中方坚定支持“大金砖合作”高质量发展，以公平正义、开放包容为理念引领全球治理改革。上海合作组织践行“上海精神”，日益成为全球治理体系建设和改革的积极推动力量，中方支持上合组织同联合国等多边机制扩大合作，共同完善全球和区域治理.
Recently, the International Organization for Mediation officially opened and began operations in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. This is the world’s first intergovernmental legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, and represents a new type of global public good provided by China together with the founding members. We welcome more countries to join the IOMed and seek to resolve differences, promote reconciliation and safeguard peace on this platform. 日前，国际调解院在中国香港特区正式开业运营。这是全球首个专门通过调解解决国际争端的政府间法律组织，也是中国同各创始方为世界提供的新型国际公共产品。我们欢迎更多国家加入国际调解院，通过这一平台化解分歧、促进和解、维护和平.
He ended by saying that:
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has just successfully concluded. The meeting adopted the Proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which constitutes a grand blueprint for China’s economic and social development in the next five years, and also displays China’s beautiful vision of cooperation and mutual benefit with the world. The meeting emphasised the need to expand high-level opening up, create a new landscape of win-win cooperation, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. A China that continues to advance modernisation will undoubtedly create broad opportunities for the common development of all countries; a China committed to the noble cause of peace and development will undoubtedly demonstrate greater responsibility in promoting human progress. We are willing to work hand in hand with the international community to fully implement GGI, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and jointly create a better future for mankind! 中共二十届四中全会刚刚胜利闭幕。会议通过了“十五五”规划建议，这是中国今后五年经济社会发展的宏伟蓝图，也展示了中国与世界合作共赢的美好愿景。会议强调要扩大高水平对外开放，开创合作共赢新局面，推动构建人类命运共同体。一个接续推进现代化的中国，必将为各国共同发展创造广阔机遇；一个致力于和平与发展崇高事业的中国，必将为促进人类进步展现更大担当。我们愿同国际社会携起手来，全面落实全球治理倡议，构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系，共创人类更加美好的未来！