China Agenda 2024 Global Insights: Key initiatives promote multilateralism in a multi-polar world

Editor's Note: As China convenes its annual Two Sessions this year, CGTN's First Voice presents the "China Agenda 2024: Global Insights" video series, featuring exclusive interviews with international experts. These discussions delve into critical and timely issues, offering a comprehensive understanding of China's global standing and its relations with the West. In this third episode of the series, we focus on China's key global initiatives and its commitment to multilateralism. The views expressed in the video belong to the experts interviewed and do not necessarily reflect those of CGTN.

China's annual Two Sessions rekindles global attention on President Xi Jinping's vision of fostering a global community of shared future and advancing win-win cooperation through its key global initiatives. These pivotal initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), underscore China's commitment to multilateralism and a multipolar world order. But how do these initiatives resonate with the world?

Differing perceptions exist regarding China's global initiatives. While they may resonate with many countries seeking assistance and cooperation, concerns arise from the perspective of the United States, which apparently seeks to reduce Chinese influence globally.

"They may resonate with many countries around the world, especially countries in the Global South, because China is interested in winning friends and influencing people around the world. And from China's point of view, this is wonderful," notes John Mearsheimer, a distinguished service professor of political science at the University of Chicago.

Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London, concurs. "There are places where China's message is more palatable and powerful and countries do listen. I think that most understand that China's approach has been extremely unique and specific."

"For many countries on the planet, getting assistance from China is a positive thing," adds Mearsheimer arguing however that "from an American point of view, this is not a good thing because the Americans want to reduce Chinese influence around the world; they don't want to see it increase."

Brown notes America's discomfort with China's increasing global role, highlighting a clash of interests between the two powers. "America is not happy with China an increasingly dominant space."

Gladden Pappin, president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, views China's initiatives positively, highlighting Hungary's perception of China as an opportunity rather than a threat. However, he also understands why the U.S. feels differently. "Having grown up in the United States, I know why that mentality exists, because for a while, the U.S. was the only player and so it feels that any development elsewhere is a threat to it," he says.

Despite the tensions, Pappin emphasizes the importance of overcoming zero-sum mentalities and embracing shared development. "It seems that China has a different view of this that there can be shared development. We have to push back against this idea that there's a zero-sum mentality in the world, that the benefit of one always comes at the expense of the other." He challenges the notion that development elsewhere poses a threat to existing powers, advocating for a cooperative approach to global challenges.

Erik Solheim, former undersecretary-general of the United Nations, envisions the 21st century as the Asian century, characterized by a multipolar world order. He underscores the necessity of improved relations between China and the United States, emphasizing the collective strength that arises from collaboration between major powers. "We need to improve the relations between China and the U.S. because if the main powers of the world work together, it would be so much stronger to solve the key issues of the day."

As China actively engages in multilateralism and shapes the contours of the 21st-century world, Brown's call for an open-minded approach to understanding China's modern complexities rings true. "I encourage people to keep an open mind. Most of what's written in the media about China, contemporary China is not that satisfying. It's broadly either about the economy or about China being a threat. I don't think that captures the complexity of what modern China is all about," Brown says.

Amidst narratives of economic competition and geopolitical tensions, a nuanced understanding of China's global initiatives is essential to navigate the evolving dynamics of international relations.

China's key global initiatives reflect its commitment to promoting multilateralism and cooperation in a multipolar world. As the Two Sessions progress and China's role on the global stage evolves, the need for constructive engagement and dialogue among major powers becomes increasingly imperative. Keeping an open mind and embracing shared development are essential steps towards building a more inclusive and collaborative international order.

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