Ambassador Jiang Zaidong’s speech on “SCO and the Global Governance Initiative” seminar
Dr. Muhammad Zahid Latif, Rector of the National University of Sciences and Technology,
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Diplomats,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is great pleasure to gather with friends at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Actually, this is my third visit to NUST, and it feels like coming home.
First I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Rector Latif for the invitation and to Professor Ashfaque’s team for their meticulous preparation for this seminar. In a few days, we will celebrate the Spring Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday. It is our tradition to visit relatives and exchange blessings before the festival.
On this occasion, I would like to wish you all an auspicious Year of the Horse—a year of happiness, good health, and resounding success.
The current international landscape is marked by transformation and turbulence, with global challenges becoming increasingly pronounced. Today’s seminar, themed “SCO and the Global Governance Initiative,” provides a good opportunity for us to review the important outcomes of the SCO Tianjin Summit hosted last September and think about the relevance in today’s context. The timing of the Conference cannot be more appropriate.
I. Addressing Changes and Turbulence Requires Upholding the “Shanghai Spirit”​
In face of hegemony and the law of the jungle undermining the international order, as well as protectionism and decoupling disrupting global economic and trade stability, the international community has realized that division, confrontation, and zero-sum games lead nowhere, regression to the law of the jungle is contrary to the will of people. The only viable path forward is solidarity and cooperation. Over the past 24 years since its establishment, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has consistently embodied the “Shanghai Spirit”—mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of common development—forging a successful path for a new type of international organization. This spirit emphasizes sovereign equality and dialogue, advocates mutually beneficial cooperation and openness, opposes bullying and coercion, and serves as an effective remedy for promoting democracy in international relations and resisting hegemony and power politics.
II. Bridging the Governance Deficit Requires Implementing the Global Governance Initiative​.
The current global governance system suffers from insufficient representation, eroded authority, and lagging effectiveness. Countries, especially small and medium-sized states, widely aspire to participate equally in global affairs and uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.
President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, centered on the principles of “ adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by the international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions”, offers a systematic approach to building a more just and equitable global governance system. This initiative calls for unity in times of division, reinforces the foundation of the UN when it is under strain, seeks common ground among nations, and resonates with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative.
Together, they form an organic whole that promotes prosperity through development, stability through security, mutual trust through civilization, and justice through governance, injecting stability into the turbulent world.
III.
Safeguarding the Rights of the Global South Requires Aligning Vision with Action​
President Xi Jinping has emphasized that in the face of unprecedented changes unfolding in the world, the SCO must play a leading role and set an example in implementing the Global Governance Initiative. As the largest regional organization covering nearly half of the global population, the SCO, composed mainly of emerging markets and developing countries, represents the collective rise of the Global South.
China and Pakistan, as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, are key members of both the Global South and the SCO. They serve as cornerstones of regional peace, stability and champions of multilateralism. We are ready to work with Pakistan to lead by example, strengthen the SCO platform, and advance the Global Governance Initiative.
FIRST, we should serve as a model of bilateral trust, consolidating the foundation of a shared future. The enduring strength of China-Pakistan friendship lies in our unwavering mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, we will enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen strategic communication, and translate our high-level political trust into more practical outcomes. We will implement more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, injecting sustained momentum into building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
SECOND, we should pioneer multilateral collaboration, empowering the SCO’s development. We will fully utilize the over 50 mechanisms under the framework of SCO, focusing on key areas and deepening platform cooperation: Strengthen security coordination to jointly combat the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, transnational crime, and cybersecurity threats, thus bolstering regional security. Deepen economic integration by facilitating trade and investment, unleashing regional market potential, and ensuring stable industrial and supply chains. Foster innovation by cultivating new growth drivers, developing new quality productive forces, and enhancing cooperation in digital economy and artificial intelligence to benefit people through technology.
THIRD, we should partner in global governance, leading cooperation among Global South countries. Together with Pakistan and the broader international community, we will firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law. We will safeguard the outcomes of World War II and resolutely oppose any revival of fascism and militarism. We will advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization, support free trade and the multilateral trading system, and participate in shaping rules for global climate governance and artificial intelligence to protect the interests of developing countries and uphold international fairness and justice.
“The journey may be long, but perseverance will see it through.” Let us draw guidance from the “Shanghai Spirit” and take the Global Governance Initiative as our blueprint to jointly contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Last but not least, I wish this seminar a complete success and wish all distinguished guests good health and success in your career. May China and Pakistan achieve greater prosperity, and may the ironclad friendship between our two nations last forever!
Thank you!
