How concept of building community with shared future for humanity brings Chinese solutions to global governance

In a world undergoing profound transformation and facing mounting global challenges, humanity is grappling with widening deficits in peace, development, security and governance.

Drawing on a deep understanding of human history and development patterns, China has put forward a series of concepts and global initiatives aimed at responding to the common aspirations of people around the world for peace, development and cooperation.

The concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping more than a decade ago, has developed from a thought into a scientific system that has been put into practice via broad international cooperation.

A common vision for a shared world

On January 18, 2017, at the UN office in Geneva, Xi delivered a landmark keynote speech titled "Working Together to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind." Speaking from a global and historical perspective, he elaborated on China's solution to current global challenges.

"Pass on the torch of peace from generation to generation, sustain development and make civilization flourish: this is what people of all countries long for; it is also the responsibility statesmen of our generation ought to shoulder. And China's proposition is: build a community of shared future for mankind and achieve shared and win-win development," Xi said.

At its core, the vision responds to humanity's most pressing existential dilemma in an age of deepening interdependence: whether countries choose confrontation or cooperation, zero-sum rivalry or win-win partnership. The answer put forward was clear – peaceful development, mutual respect and shared prosperity are not only possible but inevitable trends of history and the true aspiration of people worldwide.

The speech resonated far beyond the hall in Geneva. Over the years, the concept has continued to generate a wide and lasting international response, gradually evolving from a conceptual proposal into a guiding framework for global action.

This vision has since taken concrete shape across multiple dimensions. International cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has expanded steadily, while the notion of a shared future has been extended to specific domains such as a global community of health for all, a community with a shared future in cyberspace, a maritime community with a shared future and a community of life for humanity and nature, giving a strong boost to global governance in various sectors.

Meanwhile, China has built communities of shared future with dozens of countries and regions, and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative – all proposed by China – have further reinforced this vision.

Through tangible cooperation projects and policy coordination, China has worked to safeguard world peace, promote inclusive development and encourage dialogue among civilizations – demonstrating that the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity is not abstract rhetoric but a living, evolving practice.

Toward a more just and effective global governance system

As global challenges grow more complex, from climate change and geopolitical tensions to development gaps, the shortcomings of existing global governance mechanisms have become increasingly evident. Against this backdrop, China has consistently argued that global governance must better reflect the realities of today's world and the voices of the Global South.

In 2025, China put forward the Global Governance Initiative, underscoring the country's effort in reinforcing the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and striving to build sound international relations based on equality, win-win cooperation and common development while taking into account the interests, sovereignty and fundamental choices of all peoples.

The initiative quickly drew widespread attention and positive responses, with more than 140 countries and international organizations expressing their support.

Beyond proposals, China has advanced global governance reform through concrete actions. It has fully and effectively implemented the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, announced its Nationally Determined Contributions target for 2035 and proposed the establishment of a Global Clean Energy Cooperation Partnership.

The country is also advancing the expansion of cooperation mechanisms such as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and fostering South-South cooperation platforms, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, injecting new vitality into the reshaping of the global governance landscape.

As vital components in China's 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.