At a recent meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of creating a fair and orderly multipolar world. He advocated for enhancing the justice and equity of global governance, while suggesting that countries in the Global South should have increased representation and influence in international affairs. Xi’s remarks came during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Meeting on September 1, where he highlighted the irreversible trend towards a multipolar world, driven by the rise of the Global South.
Xi stressed that sovereign equality, mutual respect, and multilateralism should be the cornerstones of international relations. He urged for a framework where countries, regardless of their size or economic status, have equal rights, opportunities, and rules. Furthermore, he called on major powers to adhere to international norms and the rule of law, emphasizing the need for strengthened participation in the United Nations to address global issues.
Promoting development and maintaining openness and cooperation were key themes in Xi’s address. He underscored the importance of bridging gaps in digital and artificial intelligence sectors to ensure that technological advancements benefit a broader range of nations. Xi also pointed to the 25-year experience of the SCO as a successful model of cooperation among countries with diverse political systems, cultures, and development levels.
Xi called for enhanced partnerships within the SCO Plus framework and advocated for increased collaboration across Asia and Europe, particularly through high-quality Belt and Road initiatives. These remarks follow the proposal of the Global Governance Initiative by Xi at the previous SCO Plus Meeting in Tianjin, an initiative that has reportedly garnered support from various countries and international organizations over the past year.