President Xi Jinping remotely addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 21, 2021, at UN headquarters. (SPENCER PLATT / POOL PHOTO VIA AP)
In expounding his vision of a global community with a shared future for humankind, Chinese President Xi Jinping remarked at the General Debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly that “the trend of peace, development and advancement is irresistible”.
Back on Sept 28, 2015 at the UN podium, Xi delivered a speech that focused on making “concreted efforts to build a community of shared mankind destiny”. This time in his video address on Sept 21, he emphasized that the global human community with a shared future can only be achieved through dialogue, development, mutual respect and cooperation.
At a time of global difficulties in combating COVID-19, President Xi injects a new confidence to the world by declaring that humanity will surely prevail and China is committed to development for all. As a world tied to a shared future, fighting the challenges together in coordinated manner is not an option, but the necessity of the time to ensure the peaceful coexistence and common future of present and future generations.
Our world must come out of political gaming or zero-sum games over COVID-19 or any other challenge. The policy of people and people’s lives first should be adopted, not country first. Science-based solutions and scientific guidelines are required to defeat the pandemic, not political maneuvering
Our world must come out of political gaming or zero-sum games over COVID-19 or any other challenge. The policy of people and people’s lives first should be adopted, not country first. Science-based solutions and scientific guidelines are required to defeat the pandemic, not political maneuvering.
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China is matching its words with deeds as Xi calls for making vaccines as a global public good and ensuring availability without discrimination, and pledges with more doses of Chinese vaccines to developing countries and more funds and jabs for COVAX.
Responding to climate change and creating a community of life for man and nature is part of the Global Development Initiative Xi proposes in his statement to create harmony between human and nature.
China has already launched multiple initiatives toward the goals, including its seemingly overambitious promises to achieve carbon emission peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. Its 14th Five-Year Development Plan provides concrete targets to move on the path of sustainable development.
This time Xi’s announcement that “China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad”, coupled with his pledge of support for other developing countries with green and low-carbon energy will bring the global Belt and Road Initiative to a new era of high-quality and innovation-driven development.
Indeed, securing a better future of our planet demands investments in technology development and innovative solutions. However, the technology advancement should not be used as tool to enhance dominance, rather our world needs to work on equitable access to technology and solutions.
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The technology must be used to enhance the productivity and well-being of people, to assist poor countries in realizing UN2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and contribute to “a global community of development with a shared future” as Xi said.
President Xi is crystal clear that our world needs cooperation as the title of his speech points to “jointly overcoming difficulties to build a better world”. There is need to build bridges not walls.
Our common challenges do not offer luxury to pursue a country-first policy, as such a country-first approach will be disastrous and ensure failure for everyone, irrespective of their strengths or capabilities.
The only way out from the present challenges is cooperation based on the principle of win-win cooperation Xi favors in his remarks on almost all UN occasions in past years.
In a global community, there is no need of reckless competition. It is time to say goodbye to the policy of country-first and look for avenues to enhance the win-win cooperation. And Xi again assures the world that China will never bully anyone, never attack anyone, and never become hegemonic.
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On the contrary, China will work with all countries by adhering to principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation as it pursues common development, advocates peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are common values of the whole mankind Xi has cited in both the 2015 speech and the 2021 address.
While the world strives for development, Xi’s commitment to people centric development should be heard in earnest. The people-centered approach favors decent livelihood for everyone without any discrimination, and respects the dignity of every individual and country, irrespective of their development status.
In Xi’s words, we should “make sure that development is for the people and by the people, and that its fruits are shared among the people”. No doubt this is the best definition of democracy with Chinese characteristics.
The Chinese president underscored the significance of dignity and respect for everyone. He advocated for the enhanced role of developing and poor countries in global decision making and governance. True multilateralism is conducive to inclusive growth implemented with the true spirit of SDGs. The implementation must be assisted by cooperation from the developed countries with the principle of equality and respect. And he opposed outside intervention in any country.
The United Nations and international law play important roles for a peaceful and prosperous future for all. Xi advocated for a central role of UN for ensuring security, development and human rights. UN should steer the future course and all countries should work under the banner of UN in collaborative manner. It is necessary to uphold the global system and order.
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Thus, there is need to promote dialogue and inclusiveness over confrontation and exclusion, a principle for which China stands firmly. Dialogue and inclusiveness are need of the time to combat common challenges and ensure a better global community with a shared future.
The author is Chief Executive Officer, Asian Institute of Eco-civilisation Research and Development, Pakistan.