On Dec. 1 2017, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing. He said that the initiative of building a community of a shared future for mankind is being transformed from a concept into action.
In the same year, the idea of a community of a shared future for mankind was also proposed in two important events. Domestically, in the report delivered by Xi Jinping at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, to build a community with a shared future for mankind was named as the major policy objective of the country’s diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Internationally, Xi’s keynote speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland elaborated the idea further.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening plenary of the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 17, 2017. /Xinhua Photo
A community of a shared future for mankind is not compatible with a simple “China First” approach. China believes that peace and development is the underlying foundation for global development. Any country that tries to realize its national interests in an exclusive way or tries to strengthen its security at the cost of the security of others is by definition against the fundamental idea put forward by Xi. At the same time, in a world characterized by globalization and integration, it is unlikely that any country can resolve difficulties like terrorism, climate change or poverty all by itself. Therefore, China proposed the idea of a community of a shared future for mankind to boost cooperation among countries and promote joint efforts to address problems.
By proposing the idea, China called for fairness and justice in the international order. China reaffirms that countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are all equal members of the international community. They are entitled to participate in decision-making, enjoy rights and fulfill obligations on an equal basis. Emerging markets and developing countries deserve greater representation and a louder voice on the international stage.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, his wife Peng Liyuan and other distinguished guests of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation attend a welcome banquet in Beijing, China on May 14, 2017. /Xinhua Photo
The “Belt and Road” initiative is one of the efforts made by China to implement the concept. The initiative was announced in 2013, the same year a community of a shared future was proposed. The “Belt and Road” initiative is designed with the objective of achieving peace, prosperity, opening-up, innovation and exchanges among different societies and nations, presenting the prospects for common development and prosperity. Up to now, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 80 countries and organizations, conducted institutionalized cooperation on industrial capacity with over 30 countries, and built 75 overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in 24 countries under the Belt and Road framework. Chinese businesses have invested over 50 billion US dollars and created nearly 200,000 local jobs in the countries along the Belt and Road. The “Belt and Road” initiative is helpful for balancing the north-south gap and supporting globalization.
What is more, China will hold the China International Import Expo in November 2018. This is another contribution made by China to build a community of a shared future for mankind, and will set an example for fighting against protectionism and invest energy in globalization.
The idea is being accepted by the international community.
United Nations Flags /VCG Photo
On March 23, 2017, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted at its 34th session two resolutions on the “Question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights” and the “Right to food”, which clearly called for efforts “to build a community of shared future for mankind”. This was the first time that the concept was incorporated into the United Nations resolutions, officially making it an important part of the international human rights discourse. On Nov. 2 2017, the First Committee of Disarmament and International Security of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly approved two draft resolutions on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. Both resolutions adopted the idea of shaping “a community of shared future for mankind”. The idea was written into the United Nations security resolutions for the first time.
In the WEF this year, China will continue to call for the countries around the world to focus on cooperation instead of competition. A community of a shared future for mankind will look to the common interests of the countries.
(Su Xiaohui is the Deputy Director of Department of International and Strategic Studies, China Institute of International Studies. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.)
