Editor's note: As the year draws to a close, CGTN presents "Anchor of Stability in Shifting Times: China's Diplomacy in 2025," a special series of in-depth news stories exploring China's diplomatic priorities, from the four global initiatives, neighborhood diplomacy and major-country relations to South-South cooperation and green development. Each article assesses the global resonance of China's approach as we enter 2026, giving context and specificity to its vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

During the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, held in north China's Tianjin this autumn, China introduced a landmark proposal – the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

Put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the GGI emphasizes universal peace, common development and mutual benefit, highlights balanced and comprehensive cooperation as a matter of shared concern, and promotes peaceful means to address crises and conflicts.

The GGI is the fourth landmark global initiative proposed by Xi in recent years, following the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Thematically and dialectically interlinked, the four initiatives underline China's efforts in reinforcing the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, and reflect Chinese experience and solutions in deeply participating in the global governance system, outlining a comprehensive blueprint for addressing complex yet interrelated challenges facing the world.

Responding to a changing world

In 2025, China has again positioned itself as a constructive force in a changing world. It has drawn on steady domestic growth, active international cooperation and the wisdom of an ancient civilization to advance the implementation of the four initiatives.

Guided by the GGI, China has promoted the establishment of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, aiming to bring parties together for closer exchanges and cooperation on major issues related to global governance, while drawing on collective wisdom and mobilizing joint efforts for reforming and improving global governance.

The 43 founding members of the group issued a joint statement on December 9, stressing that they will jointly uphold the legacy won in World War Two, reinforce the role of the United Nations, address global challenges and respond to the requirements of the people.

In October, China established the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), headquartered in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with more than 30 countries, seeking to continuously build consensus within the international community to address global security challenges.

Throughout the year, China has continued to make unremitting efforts for lasting peace and security in the Middle East. It has pushed for a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the advance of the two-state solution for an early, comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the issue.

During meetings and phone talks with various global leaders, President Xi emphasized that a ceasefire is an urgent priority in settling the conflict in the Middle East, and the use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes.

This year, China has also pushed the GDI further forward, building stronger cooperation mechanisms and expanding practical support.

In January, the country hosted the first policy dialogue between the GDI Group of Friends and the UN Task Force, creating a platform for over 80 countries to coordinate development resources such as funding, technology and projects.

Serving as a research and exchange hub, the Global South Research Center was officially launched in Beijing in March, reflecting China's commitment to advancing cooperation among Global South countries.

In 2024, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a China-proposed resolution to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. It serves as a vivid example of how the Chinese approach has contributed to eliminating prejudice and misunderstanding, while enhancing mutual understanding among civilizations.

In June this year, the world marked the occasion for the first time, with calls for mutual respect, inclusive development and cultural exchange resonating from UN headquarters to tea ceremonies in Mauritius, porcelain showcases in Italy and academic forums in Greece.

As vital components in China's foreign policy and its future vision amid today's accelerated changes in the global landscape, the four initiatives have provided resolutions to disputes, eased tensions and promoted joint participation in opposing hegemony and power politics, thereby addressing common challenges for humanity more effectively, narrowing the North-South development gap, safeguarding the shared interests of all countries, and working toward global stability and peace.