Why is China's Global Security Initiative gaining global support?

In April 2022, China proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), offering a comprehensive vision to address the root causes of conflict and improve global security governance. Four years on, the initiative has gained broad international traction, with support and endorsement from over 130 countries and international organizations, and inclusion in more than 140 bilateral and multilateral documents by the end of 2025.

Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and persistent regional conflicts, the GSI is increasingly seen as a stabilizing force: one that emphasizes dialogue over confrontation and cooperation over division.

The GSI responds directly to the international community's pressing demand for peace and stability. It advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, underpinned by the principle of indivisible security.

Chen Bo, president of the China Institute of International Studies, noted that four years on, the initiative's significance has become more pronounced amid growing global uncertainties. History has repeatedly shown that military confrontation breeds new hatred and crises, she said, emphasizing that only peaceful coexistence and dialogue can lead to lasting security.

International observers have also highlighted the distinctive nature of China's approach. Vasily Kashin, director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at Russia's Higher School of Economics, pointed out that the GSI differs fundamentally from Western security frameworks.

China is not seeking to build military alliances or expand its military presence. Instead, it has played an active mediating role in multiple conflicts and is committed to continuing these efforts, he said during an interview with China Media Group (CMG).

China has actively translated the principles of the GSI into concrete actions, particularly in conflict mediation and peace facilitation.

In the Middle East, China successfully brokered a historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, while also facilitating the signing of the Beijing Declaration among Palestinian factions. More recently, China and Pakistan jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region.

On the Ukraine crisis, China has supported the establishment of the "Friends of Peace" platform to create conditions for a political resolution. It has also played constructive roles in promoting reconciliation in regions such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand.

According to Wang Lixin, director general of the Department of Security Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the GSI stresses respect for the legitimate security concerns of all countries and promotes trust-building through dialogue.

China remains committed to an objective and balanced approach, addressing both symptoms and root causes of conflicts, she told CMG, adding that diplomatic solutions remain the only viable path to sustainable peace.

Multilateralism at the core

At its heart, the Global Security Initiative aligns with the broader global call for multilateralism and collective action. Rooted in the principles of the UN Charter, it advocates strengthening the role of the United Nations and enhancing cooperation through inclusive global governance frameworks.

China's 2023 release of the Concept Paper on the GSI further operationalized the initiative, outlining 20 priority areas of cooperation. These range from supporting the UN's role and resolving hotspot issues politically, to addressing both traditional and non-traditional security threats.

UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua emphasized that China's four global initiatives including the GSI, uphold true multilateralism and reinforce the international system centered on the United Nations and international law.

Wang Fan, former president of the China Foreign Affairs University, argued that the world is undergoing a transition marked by the decline of old rules and the emergence of new ones. Only by overcoming divisions, supporting the UN's central role, and improving global governance through institutional innovation can the current security challenges be fundamentally addressed, he said.

China's commitment to global security governance is also reflected in its extensive participation in international mechanisms. Since 1990, China has contributed over 50,000 personnel to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions, demonstrating sustained support for global peace efforts.

Beyond the UN framework, China has promoted synergy between the GSI and multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, while advancing regional security cooperation with partners in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa.

In addition, China has actively promoted international cooperation in areas such as climate change, supply chain resilience, energy and food security and has launched initiatives like the Global Data Security Initiative and the Global AI Governance Initiative, aiming to address emerging risks in the digital and technological domains.