China’s Global Security Initiative is an Alarm for Sanity in an Insane World

by Admin (Posted on June 28, 2023)

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By Moshi Israel

To some, referring to our world as ‘insane’ might come off as a bit too harsh but I beg to differ. If one employs a sharp lens to examine the current global order, it is more than likely that one will reach a similar conclusion. This does not ignore the advantages and progress of the current global system.

The insanity in the current global order lies in the continuous weakening of our global institutions due to the unilateral gangsterism of powerful countries. This problem is almost ironically complimented by the other side of the coin of state unilateralism, which is the increased uncontrollable power of non-state actors such as Multi-National Corporations or Big business interests. Additionally, the climate crisis and the recent Covid-19 pandemic have also proven to be a challenge to and a strain on the established global order.

The consequences of a system that tolerates unilateralism and unchecked pursuit of profits by Big Business is a world of war, imperialism, injustice, and inequality. Under such a world, the global south must abandon all hope of catching up with the rest of the developed world. Such a system encourages politics of intimidation, blackmail, and gun-point relations. It is a jungle rules system where only the strong survive. This kind of catastrophic arrangement has unfortunately worked for many countries in the West especially the United States which has enjoyed unchecked power for several decades. It is said that absolute power corrupts absolutely and every hegemon tends to be corrupted by its own power.

It is, therefore, with this background that one must appreciate the Global Security Initiative (GSI) put forward by President Xi Jinping. China given its history rooted in Confucianism which advocates for a harmonious existence with oneself and everyone else perhaps better understands the significance of a better global system based on the principles of peace and corporation for common prosperity for all.

The GSI puts forward six common sense commitments that should govern international relations and perhaps as I said bring sanity to an insane world. The first commitment pertains to the issue of security which should be common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable. It is a call to focus on long-term solutions that seek to eliminate the breeding grounds for problems. These solutions should be based on morality, justice, and the right ideas.

Secondly, a commitment should be made to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. This is a fundamental ideal of the United Nations Charter and it links with the empowerment and respect of the UN as an institution. If countries respect and recognize each other’s inherent right to self-govern and exist as equal partners on the global stage, then it is my view that half of the world’s problems could be addressed.

The next commitment that China advocates is that of abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN charter. This complements the previous commitment and also goes deeper into other rules concerning international relations in areas of commerce. The purpose of the UN charter was to create an ideal world based on the liberal ideologies of equality and justice leading to the ultimate goal of collective security and peace.

The fourth commitment entails taking into account the legitimate security concerns of other countries. It seeks to redress the problems caused by unilateralism or long-arm jurisdiction to interfere with the security of other countries. There cannot be world peace if some states are aggrieved and feel targeted. This is to many scholars the root cause of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Therefore, taking into account other countries’ concerns can literally avert war and promote negotiation through dialogue and diplomacy which is the major concern of commitment five. It involves the peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and consultation. This is what China championed in the Iran-Saudi peace plan and it is what the United States failed to do when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The sixth commitment demands that countries remain committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains. Threats to security come in various forms ranging from Terrorism to climate change, cybersecurity, and biosecurity. The security frameworks of today must take into account the transnational nature of threats and solutions and also appreciate their diversity. Therefore, cooperation, consultation, and mutual benefit should drive international relations if there is any hope to achieve long-lasting security.

In short, the GSI calls for global reform and transformation based on multilateralism for the good of all. We might never achieve true equality and we might never eliminate all the world’s challenges. However, China’s GSI calls on global leaders to try and create an ideal and safe world that is inclusive of all. It is an alarm for some semblance of sanity. GSI provides a common-sense framework that sets the world up for success measured by economic, social, cultural, and sustainable development, peaceful coexistence, and a better world for all.

Moshi Israel is a research fellow at the Development Watch Centre.