GGI: Xi’s vision and prospects

Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference held in Tianjin, China on September 1, President Xi Jinping said, “I look forward to working with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Echoing Xi’s call for GGI and multilateralism in global affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “This, in turn, lays the political and socio-economic groundwork for the formation of a new system of stability and security in Eurasia. This security system, unlike Euro-centric and Euro-Atlantic models, would genuinely consider the interests of a broad range of countries, be truly balanced, and would not allow to ensure its own security at the expense of others.”

Tianjin declaration, echoing the aspirations of 40% of world population and 30% of global territory, clearly articulated a world order based on inclusive and not exclusive characteristics. But, despite the vision of the Chinese President for global governance, ensuring peace and stability in the new world order, it will be a myth as long as the 10-member SCO is unable to deal with its internal contradictions. The West, despite its ostensible declining shape, is in a commanding position because it still controls the instruments of global power.

According to Global Challenges Foundation based in Stockholm, global governance means a, “system of institutions, rules, norms, and procedures that enables international cooperation on issues that cross national borders. These issues include economic development, trade, human rights, peace and security, and environmental protection. The system aims to facilitate decision-making and co-operation among international actors, including states, intergovernmental organizations, business, non-governmental organizations and other parts of civil society. The goal of global governance is to find and manage collective solutions to global challenges.”

In reality, the prevailing global governance is polarised and conflict-ridden. State and non-state actors influencing global governance are unable to ensure a just and fair economic order, protection of human rights, safeguarding environment and preventing unilateralism leading to aggression and occupation.

Global organisations like the UN, NATO, G7, BRICS, SCO and G-20 do matter in the realm of governance, but in reality the world is highly insecure because of grave environmental challenges, food, energy, water and refugee crisis. Global governance cannot take place in an isolation because it needs to be a multilateral effort to deal with issues faced by the 8 billion people of this world. When sustainable development based on fair distribution of financial resources is not to be seen, President Xi’s vision of GGI cannot take off.

Speaking at the Tianjin summit, the Chinese president articulated his vision for a new global security and economic order that prioritises the “Global South”, in a direct challenge to the United States, during a gathering that included the leaders of Russia and India. According to Reuters, Global governance has reached a new crossroads. In order to mitigate the US-dominated IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, President Xi called for establishing an SCO development bank. For competing with Western technology, he announced building an artificial intelligence cooperation centre for SCO nations. It means that under the Chinese leadership, Global South will try to emasculate western supremacy in finance, trade, science and technology.

President Xi, at a massive military parade held on September 3 at Tiananmen Square Beijing to commemorate the 80 years of China’s victory over Japan, “Today, mankind is based with the choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero sum.” Five principles outlined by the Chinese president defining his GGI are: Adhering to sovereign equality; abiding by international rule of law; practising multilateralism; advocating a people-centred approach; and focusing on taking real actions. These principles are idealistic in nature and President Xi did not mention how SCO and the countries of Global South will transform his vision into reality.

In the realm of global governance, since the end of Second World War, the world is called ‘Pax Americana’ whereas in the 21st century it is called ‘Pax Asiana’. The three giants of Eurasia – Russia, China and India – adhered to the Tianjin declaration which called for a multilateral world. The core of GGI are China and Russia whereas Iran and India also subscribe to Xi’s philosophy of a multilateral world which should be inclusive and not exclusive. In a situation when the West under the US leadership is still calling the shots, it will be interesting to see how SCO and BRICS unite to strive for a multilateral world.

GGI is an innovative idea and needs to be analysed from three perspectives.

First, GGI is a myth because unlike G-7, NATO and Munich Security Conference where the West is united to maintain its tutelage in world affairs, there is lack of leadership in the case of Global South. Russia and China may possess leadership qualities to lead GGI but what about other countries belonging to Global South? Unless SCO and BRICS members manage their internal fault-lines, it will be an uphill task for the President Xi’s vision to take off. Russia and Iran are under sanctions imposed by the West and India is facing 50% tariff on its exports to the US which is tantamount to growing anti-Americanism. Except China, there is no major SCO member which is economically prosperous and enjoys peace with neighbours. For more than three years, Russia has been involved in a war with Ukraine whereas India has serious conflicts with Pakistan.

Second, GGI needs a practical approach and the five principles mentioned by the Chinese president for a multipolar world cannot be attained unless SCO members take steps in that direction. Without focusing on human development, food security, climate change, energy shortfalls and threats of extremism, separatism and terrorism, it will be difficult to move for pursue the GGI targets.

Third, if Russia, China and India are able to establish strategic equation on establishing global governance by excelling in economy, science, technology and peace with neighbours, one can expect the world order to be stable and peaceful. For that matter, there has to be a creative plan of five years to ensure GGI to take a practical shape.

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