The in-depth development of world multi-polarity is not only the overall trend of historical development, but also reflects the common aspirations of the international community.
Chinese Ambassador in
Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong
The Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in Beijing on December 27-28, 2023, made comprehensive plans for China’s external work for the present and coming periods closely. I believe all friends who care about China’s foreign relations and external work would follow that a great transformation is accelerating across the world.
The changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation.
Given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China under the astute leadership of President Xi Jinping calls for an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
Multi-polarity is the overall trend of world development, which is reflected in the rising influence of developing countries or the Global South. Developments since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago show that more and more developing countries are becoming eager to have a bigger say in international affairs.
They also pursue the goal of a multi-polar world and oppose unilateralism and power politics. They denounce the continuation of bloc confrontation, the zero-sum-game approach to international relations and, particularly, wars and conflicts. However, there is no consensus yet on how best to build a multi-polar world currently in the face of great changes in the world. Against this backdrop, China’s initiative points the right direction for world multi-polarity.
We advocate an equal multi-polar world, which means that all countries, regardless of size or political power, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, the monopoly of international affairs by a few countries are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. International affairs should be resolved through consultation by all countries, and the future and destiny of the world should be decided by all countries.
Every country or a group of countries can find its own place in the global multi-polar system, breaking the traditional narrative that multi-polarity means only a few big and powerful countries. Going against the trends of history, adhering to the Cold War mentality and obsession with maintaining hegemony, pursuing unilateralism, stirring up camp confrontation, and containing and suppressing specific countries are doomed to failure this time.
We advocate an orderly multi-polar world, which means keeping the progress toward greater multi-polarity generally stable and constructive. This is in response to the concerns of some countries that the multi-polarity process will bring global instability and “disorder.”
Historical process
The multi-polarity process should be a historical process of unity rather than division, dialogue rather than confrontation, cooperation rather than conflict, and win-win rather than zero-sum. To achieve this common goal, the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognized, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practised at all times.
There is no future for those who go against the wishes of the international community, pursue domestic priority and winner-take-all, promote protectionism, build “small yards and high walls”, and resort to sanctions and pressure on other countries at every turn.
There are nearly 200 countries in the world with a total global population of more than eight billion people. It is hard to imagine a world where all countries adopt one political model and one universal value. It is also hard to imagine such a world dominated by one power or a bloc.
Advocating for an equal and orderly world multi-polarity is in line with the common aspirations of most countries and people of all countries, and provides an important path for promoting the construction of a fair and reasonable global governance system and promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. This is what the world is hankering for and it is also an irreversible trend of human development.
China and Sri Lanka are sincere friends of mutual trust and assistance, and partners for common development and prosperity. China firmly supports Sri Lanka in upholding its Independence, Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity, respects and supports Sri Lanka’s independent choice of a development path that suits its national conditions.
Support
China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to support an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that benefits all, promote global governance in a more just and reasonable direction, and safeguard the common interests and legitimate rights of developing countries.
The writer is the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka. This article is the first of a series of articles by the Ambassador on Chinese, regional and global issues.
