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Why the world should welcome China’s role in global governance
While the world welcomes China’s more active participation in global governance, there is the expectation that China would also reinvigorate its role within the new context of changes taking place in the world.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Group of 20 Summit in Osaka, Japan in June 2019. (Presidential Palace Press Bureau/Laily Rachev)
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s China has now become a global power, it is only natural to expect that the country will also play a global role. China’s growing involvement and participation in shaping global governance reflects that trajectory. In this context, it is therefore crucial for other countries – China’s partners and friends – to understand how China has played and will continue to play its global role. It is equally important to have a comprehensive view of how China could better participate in global governance.
There are five main characteristics of China’s role in — and contribution to — global governance today. First, China has a deep interest in global economic institutions. Based on China’s own experience, it becomes clear that China’s economic development is closely interconnected with that of the global economy. Therefore, China has an interest in the global governance of the world economy, which is why it is active in the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, United Nations agencies, regional trade arrangements and other mechanisms.
Second, China has begun to contribute to the global governance of international development. China understands it cannot grow alone forever. With greater power comes greater responsibility. Therefore, over the last two decades or so, China has begun to find ways to support economic development in other parts of the world.
Contributing to the global governance of international development has become an integral part of China’s global governance strategy and role. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be seen as part of this strategy.
Third, China’s experience also suggests that it attaches great importance to the UN system, especially in political and security matters. China is understandably sensitive to any accusation of interference in other countries’ domestic affairs. That is why, for China, global legitimacy is crucial in addressing issues such as peace-keeping and peace-building. And that global legitimacy must be attained from the UN.
Fourth, China’s contribution to global governance beyond economic matters has only occurred more recently. As its wealth and outreach grow, its interests also expand. China’s leaders have declared that the country wanted to participate more actively in providing global public goods. In this context, we are seeing a greater involvement of China in tackling the pandemic, combating transnational crimes, addressing climate change and participating in peace-keeping operations.
Fifth, China has expressed its desire to improve global governance. After more than four decades of integrating itself into the existing international system, China has indicated its views that it intends to make the global governance system better. On this particular point, it is important for China to make sure that its intention is not misunderstood.
