Zhang Yuyan and Xu Xiujun: Championing an Equal and Orderly Multipolar World and Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization

At present, changes of great consequence for our world are unfolding in unprecedented ways. These changes present both strategic opportunities and serious challenges. Confronting the critical global issues facing the world today, such as the deficits in peace, development, security, and governance, President Xi Jinping, at the 2023 Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, systematically reviewed the historic achievements and invaluable practices of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. On this basis, he called for China to champion two major propositions: an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. 

These two propositions are mutually reinforcing, forming an indivisible whole that mirrors the deep connection and interplay between global politics and economics. In theoretical terms, they represent a paradigmatic understanding of today’s development trends, elucidating the rich essence and defining features of world multipolarity and economic globalization in our time. In practical terms, they can move our world toward a more just and equitable international order and system, offering a common path forward for all countries at this historic juncture. 

I

It is clear that multipolarity has emerged as an underlying trend in the world today. Yet, amid momentous global changes, the international community remains divided on how multipolarity should develop and what role countries should play in advancing it. China champions an equal and orderly multipolar world. Compared to its unipolar and bipolar alternatives, this vision better reflects the international community’s shared aspiration for fairness, justice, and mutually beneficial cooperation and better serves our practical need to ensure world peace and development. It will also more effectively facilitate the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

The United Nations Summit of the Future at UN Headquarters, New York, September 22, 2024. The summit, held from September 22 to 23, 2024, adopted the Pact for the Future and its annexes with the aim of further building up the frameworks of multilateralism for future development and creating a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER LI RUI

A multipolar world must be based on equality, and countries of all sizes must be treated as equals

Mutual respect and equality among all countries, big and small, is an imperative for progress in our time and the foremost principle of the UN Charter. An equal multipolar world is essential for ensuring the sound evolution of international relations and the advancement of global peace and development. It is especially critical for safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

For centuries, just a handful of countries or power blocs held a monopoly over international affairs by virtue of their economic and military superiority and ability to exploit flaws in the old international order. Hegemonism and power politics thus ruled the day. Yet since the end of the Cold War, and especially in the new century, economic globalization has fueled rapid growth across the world thanks to booming trade, streamlined investment procedures, increased human mobility, and technological advancements. Most notably, the collective rise of emerging market nations has fundamentally reshaped the global landscape, with the gradual development of multiple growth centers. Nevertheless, old notions of hegemonism and power politics die hard. Certain countries have sought to replace or subvert established principles and norms of international law with their “rules-based order,” and thus to oppose and contain the ongoing development of world multipolarity. Such conduct, which in essence represents the imposition of one’s will and standards on others and the elevation of one’s own national interests above those of other countries, poses a grave threat to international peace and development. 

Today, the democratization of international affairs has already become an irreversible trend of our times. No single country or bloc of countries can dictate world affairs any longer. In essence, the spirit of democracy in international relations is about opposing hegemony and power politics and ensuring that all the world’s countries collectively address global challenges and manage world affairs through equal consultation. In China’s vision for a multipolar world, the notion of equality encompasses rich dimensions. These are primarily reflected in the following four areas: 

First, it emphasizes sovereign equality. The sovereignty and dignity of all countries, irrespective of size, strength, or wealth, must be respected. Internal affairs brook no interference, and all countries retain the right to choose their social systems and development paths independently. Second, it emphasizes equality of participation. All countries should be able to participate equally, enjoy their rights, and play their role in the process toward a multipolar world. We must not let the rules set by one or a few countries be imposed on others, or allow unilateralism pursued by certain countries to set the pace for the whole world. We must enhance the representation and say of developing countries. Third, it emphasizes equal treatment. Double standards have no place. We must ensure equal rights, opportunities, and norms for every country and see that all can find their place in the multipolar system, all can play their due role while abiding by international law, and all can help promote greater democracy in international relations, thereby breaking the traditional narrative that multipolarity revolves solely around a few major powers. Fourth, it emphasizes that major countries should demonstrate a broad vision and a sense of responsibility. Rather than monopolizing regional and international affairs, major countries should take on greater responsibility for promoting regional and global peace and development. They should lead the way in honoring equality, cooperation, good faith, and the rule of law, and act in a way befitting their status.

An equal multipolar world categorically opposes hegemony and power politics. It resolutely stands against the monopolization of international affairs by a handful of countries. It does not permit those with the biggest fists to dictate terms, nor does it allow hierarchies that rank countries by brute strength. More importantly, it does not tolerate a system where some countries have a seat at the table while others are merely items on the menu. This vision is about earnestly promoting greater democracy in international relations and effectively safeguarding international fairness and justice and the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

A multipolar world must be based on order, and progress toward greater multipolarity should be generally stable and constructive

Order is a fundamental prerequisite for global prosperity and development, as well as an important foundation for the stable development of the international system. Within the international community, order is a state of overall stability that emerges when countries engage in sound interactions in line with universally recognized international rules. It is a constructive and positive force. 

Some countries express concerns that the process toward a multipolar world may lead to turmoil and disorder. Yet, the truth is that much of the turbulence and chaos we witness in the world today stems not from the vigorous development of multipolarity, but from a certain major country’s fixation on putting itself first and its eagerness to sow division and confrontation in order to cling to unipolar dominance. In recent years, this country has mobilized allies to impose massive unilateral sanctions, erected deep protectionist barriers, and arbitrarily withdrawn from organizations and treaties. Such acts not only run counter to the will of people around the world but trample on the legitimate rights and dignity of all nations.

Multipolarity is not about dividing the world into blocs, nor does it entail fragmentation or chaos. The multipolar world China champions is one based on order, and progress toward greater multipolarity should be generally stable and constructive. To achieve this stability, all countries must uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and abide by the universally recognized basic norms of international relations. We are witnessing increasing disorder on the international stage or mounting challenges to world peace, development, and international fairness and justice not because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are outdated but because they simply have not been effectively implemented. All countries should resolutely uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations founded on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Only by operating within the bounds of this UN-centered system can we prevent the process toward greater multipolarity from leading to a jungle-like world defined by a rules vacuum. For the process toward greater multipolarity to be constructive, all countries must jointly practice true multilateralism. International affairs should be addressed through consultation, and the future of the world should be decided by everyone working together. When multilateralism is well observed, the wellbeing of humanity gets preserved and advanced. When multilateralism comes under attack, chaos breaks out.

II

Economic globalization is a prevailing trend of our times. Despite the many countercurrents and various challenges that have emerged in this process, rejecting it for fear of risks is not the solution. Only with effective guidance can we harness its opportunities and mitigate its drawbacks, thereby reinforcing the confidence of people worldwide in economic globalization. To promote the sustained and stable development of economic globalization and ensure it delivers greater benefits for all peoples, the international community should unite to champion universally beneficial and inclusive globalization, thereby opening the way to a brighter future for the world economy. 

People watch the demonstration of an agricultural drone made in China during the launching ceremony of a China-Brazil agricultural mechanization cooperation demonstration project, Apodi, Brazil, February 2, 2024. Economic globalization is now caught in a tug of war between driving and obstructive forces, but the driving forces still prevail. China is calling on all sides to join hands to promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization for the benefit of all countries and communities. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER WANG TIANCONG

Globalization must be universally beneficial and address the development imbalances resulting from the unequal distribution and allocation of resources

The critical question all sides face is how to rectify the development imbalances stemming from economic globalization and remedy the deficit of fairness in our world. Championing mutually beneficial economic globalization means delivering balanced and adequate development, ensuring the fruits of economic globalization are better shared among all, and addressing the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is about pursuing economic globalization that enables the shared development of all countries and peoples.

The backlash against economic globalization in recent years has, in part, occurred because the principle of universal benefit has been undermined. From an international perspective, issues such as the North-South divide, divergent recovery trajectories, development disparities, and the technology gap have all become exacerbated. Some developing economies, especially low-income and least-developed countries, must contend with inherent disadvantages in terms of development resources and economic structures, not to mention unfair international economic rules and an inequitable global economic order. As a result, they have enjoyed relatively fewer gains from economic globalization, and in some cases, they have even been marginalized in this process. 

On the domestic front, unequal distribution has emerged as a problem for some developed economies during economic globalization. While financial capital and multinational corporations have amassed enormous profits, segments of the population have been left behind. Their living standards have stagnated and even declined. Once the primary drivers of economic globalization, these economies have now resorted to a wide array of protectionist policies and have attempted to scapegoat others for their domestic problems. They now frame the universal connections we enjoy thanks to economic globalization as security threats. This has resulted in an endless stream of issues being politicized and securitized. In essence, however, these actions amount to nothing more than leveraging economic tools and weaponizing trade to fulfill one’s power ambitions, with the self-serving goal of monopolizing development advantages and laying exclusive claim to the fruits of global economic growth. 

By championing universally beneficial economic globalization, China seeks to address the major problems and challenges facing our world today and steer economic globalization through this current period of headwinds. On the one hand, we must continue growing the economic pie. In line with the common demands of all nations, particularly developing countries, we should double down on the international consensus that development is of paramount importance, in order to steer the global economy back toward a path of healthy, stable, and sustainable growth. On the other hand, we must do more to distribute the pie more fairly. While pursuing their respective interests, countries also need to accommodate the legitimate concerns of others, paying particular attention to the special needs of developing nations. Measures such as debt relief and development assistance should be used to support developing countries, particularly vulnerable nations experiencing severe difficulties. To address the internal development imbalances of all countries, we should pursue people-centered globalization that ensures balanced development and equal opportunity, so that all countries, strata, and populations participate in and benefit from economic and social development. 

Economic globalization must be inclusive and support countries in pursuing development paths suited to their respective national conditions

Our world today comprises more than 200 countries and regions, each with its own distinct history, culture, social system, and development path. The advancement of economic globalization cannot be based on a monolithic, one-size-fits-all model. While acknowledging that there is a diversity of national development paths, we must seek common ground, set aside and overcome differences wherever possible, and foster human progress and global peace through an inclusive approach to economic globalization. 

In the course of economic globalization, some countries have attempted to set boundaries for international cooperation based on values and ideology. They peddle theories about the “superiority of civilizations,” the “clash of civilizations,” and even the “end of civilizations.” At every turn, they have sought to introduce exclusionary international rules. They have openly pursued strategies of “nearshoring” and “friendshoring” and targeted specific countries and regions under the guise of “de-risking” and “dependency reduction.” Their true aim in all of this is to geographically encircle certain emerging markets and developing nations, constrain them through restrictive regulations, impede their development, and demonize their image. In essence, this is a push to decouple and delink industrial and supply chains in the global economy. To maximize strategic advantages and suppress competitors at any cost, a small handful of major countries are pursuing strategies that harm even their own interests in an attempt to wear down their competitors. All this is driving the fragmentation of the global system and its division into exclusive blocs. 

Championing inclusive economic globalization means respecting every member of the international community. No country should be excluded from the international system because of its history, culture, or social structure. In international affairs, no nation should enjoy special privileges or deny others their right to share in the benefits of globalization. This vision supports each country’s right to follow a development path suited to its own conditions. It calls for an objective understanding of other nations’ development and policy approaches, while firmly embracing the principle of win-win for all. It promotes fair competition and encourages respect for each other’s legitimate interests and concerns. Championing inclusive economic globalization is about standing against all forms of unilateralism and protectionism and rejecting discriminatory standards and exclusive rules. It is about upholding the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization, promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and ensuring the smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, in order to create an open world economy and sustain the dynamism and momentum of global economic growth.

III

China’s two major propositions address significant real-world challenges, while also envisioning a brighter future for humanity. They provide a practical path and new impetus for building a global community of shared future and offer a guide to action for improving global governance. Ultimately, they can help us transition to a higher level of world peace and security, realize higher quality common global development, and advance the progress of humanity from a higher starting point.

Transitioning to a higher level of world peace and security

Global geopolitical tensions continue to intensify, with the threat of war and conflict remaining ever-present. Security challenges have thus grown increasingly diverse, complex, and interconnected. Acting on its commitment to the two major propositions, China will continue to follow a path of peaceful development, seeking to advance its development by safeguarding world peace while contributing to world peace by pursuing its own development. To ensure greater security for all countries, China has introduced the Global Security Initiative and has worked with various countries to carry it out. This effort aims to create a security environment featuring fairness, justice, joint contribution, and shared benefits as well as a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture. In recent years, China has played an active part in the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, made major efforts to realize the cessation of hostilities and peace talks in the Ukraine crisis, and worked tirelessly for the de-escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as well as a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the issue of Palestine. It has also played a constructive role in addressing hotspot issues such as Afghanistan and Myanmar. In doing so, China has continued to make positive contributions to building a global community of security for all.

Promoting higher quality common global development 

Realizing the goal of common prosperity for humanity hinges on development. Since the new era began in 2012, China has accounted for an average of about 30% of world economic growth, serving as a major engine of the world economy. In response to the problem of insufficient global development momentum, President Xi has successively proposed the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. These frameworks have provided robust support for the recovery and sustainable development of the world economy and the building of a global development community of shared future. Acting on its commitment to the two major propositions and responding to the international community’s development needs, China has advocated for placing development at the center of the international agenda, with a focus on fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It has called for investing greater resources in development to support developing countries in tackling risks and challenges and to make faster progress toward building a global development community of shared future. 

Advancing the progress of humanity from a higher starting point

The diversity of human civilization is both a fundamental feature of our world and a wellspring of human progress. Through inclusiveness, coexistence, and mutual learning and exchange, different civilizations have made important contributions to humanity’s modernization journey and built rich cultural foundations. Drawing on a deep understanding of humanity’s historical development and the new form of human advancement created through Chinese modernization, President Xi has put forward the Global Civilizations Initiative based on the values of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations. This has served as an important guide for enabling different civilizations to advance exchanges through greater openness, to flourish together through an inclusive approach, and to pursue development through innovation. Acting on its commitment to the two major propositions, China has organized several important events such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting, the Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, and the Ancient Civilizations Forum. It has also promoted the establishment of the International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations at the UN General Assembly. These efforts have encouraged different civilizations to learn from and inspire each other, join hands on the path toward modernization, and advance the progress of humanity from a higher starting point.

Zhang Yuyan and Xu Xiujun are professors at the School of International Politics and Economics, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(Originally appeared in Qiushi Journal, Chinese edition, No. 4, 2025)

Source: English Edition of Qiushi Journal, 2025 No.2