Wang Yi on the Contemporary Value of the Global Governance Initiative and China’s Role

On October 23, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Global Governance Forum (Xiong’an), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated at a crucial moment a year ago, when the postwar international order faced serious challenges and global governance risked falling behind, President Xi Jinping launched the Global Governance Initiative (GGI)—a much-needed initiative that offers solutions to bridge the governance deficit and build a better future. 

The past year has underscored the great contemporary value of the GGI. It has been endorsed by more than 160 countries and international organizations. Over 60 countries have joined the Group of Friends of Global Governance. Its core elements have been incorporated into the documents of multilateral fora such as the G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS. The international community regards the GGI as a stalwart for multilateralism as the international landscape is undergoing profound shift, and a safeguard for fairness and justice as the law of the jungle makes a comeback. To many in the world, the GGI provides a clear pathway to shared development and security and much-needed certainty for a turbulent world.

The past year has recorded China’s growing contribution to global governance. We actively applied a Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues. President Xi Jinping laid out a series of proposals for safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. We stayed committed to open and common development. China has foregone new special and differential treatment in ongoing and future WTO negotiations. China has also provided comprehensive zero-tariff access for all African countries and least developed countries having diplomatic ties with China. We actively provided new public goods. The International Organization for Mediation has successfully settled international disputes. The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization initiated by China has taken a clear stand to advance AI for good and for all humanity.

The past year has seen rising international expectations for China to play a bigger role. The GGI launched by President Xi Jinping is widely regarded by people of foresight around the world as a remedy for and improvement on the existing international system, and a crystallization of Chinese wisdom that will shape a fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable world. International public perception of China has risen significantly over the past year. The rise is partly driven by a strong recognition of China as a force for stability and progress, and a high regard for the GGI that China has launched and acted on.