China's global initiatives in the spotlight

Global leaders and policy experts called for renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and greater attention to China's global initiatives on Tuesday, warning that no country can manage rising global challenges alone.

They made the remarks at the 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. Held under the theme "For Global Cooperation and Solidarity", the three-day event gathered more than 200 participants — including former heads of state, senior officials and scholars — to discuss pathways for global development and governance reform.

Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia and president of the World Leadership Alliance Club de Madrid, said China's four major global initiatives — the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative — "deserve serious consideration and support", as they provide essential frameworks amid mounting global uncertainties.

Despite differences among nations, Turk said one fact remains constant: no country, regardless of its strength, can confront today's challenges on its own. He stressed that shared responsibilities across regions and institutions, along with a deeper understanding of how others interpret strategic realities, are crucial to maintaining global stability.

Against this backdrop, he highlighted China's expanding role. China's economic weight, deeper international engagement and leadership in areas such as green technology and artificial intelligence mean its decisions have far-reaching global impact — "a responsibility China has taken on with seriousness", Turk said.

"Competition is necessary," he added, "But cooperation must prevail. The more complex the world becomes, the more essential cooperation is."

Yves Leterme, former prime minister of Belgium, noted that the European Union and China share a key commonality: both have benefited from and continue to rely on the multilateral system established after World War II.

He voiced support for China's Global Governance Initiative and said that the EU and China should strengthen cooperation under multilateral frameworks to jointly address unilateral actions — particularly those originating from the United States.

China has achieved remarkable economic success and is consolidating its progress while assuming a more peaceful and constructive role in global geopolitics, he added.

Xue Lan, a professor at Tsinghua University, said reforming global governance requires pragmatic, action-oriented cooperation. As major global agreements become increasingly difficult to achieve, he urged countries to make steady progress on concrete issues such as climate change and digital governance.

A major shift in mindset is also needed, Xue said, especially in some Western countries. Emerging economies such as China and Brazil should not be viewed as "disruptors", but as contributors to a more diverse and dynamic global system. Seeing different development paths as opportunities, he added, can help generate new ideas and energy for global innovation.

Mladen Ivanic, former Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized the importance of China's global initiatives precisely because they come from a country "not involved in certain conflicts". China's balanced and fair position, he said, enables it to play a constructive role when stabilizing the geopolitical environment is urgently needed.

He added that the Global Governance Initiative is particularly valuable for its focus on multilateralism and international rules. "The modern world needs rules," he said, adding that China may be the only major power making a consistent effort to strengthen multilateralism as others increasingly turn to unilateral measures.

Stefan Lofven, former prime minister of Sweden, called on the international community to take China's initiatives seriously and further advance them through dialogue.

"The world is fragmented. We have never had more reason to cooperate," he said. "Yet at this moment, some countries are turning inward — and that will not work."

Contact the writers at zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn