April 21, 2024, marks the second anniversary of the Global Security Initiative (GSI), a visionary approach introduced by China to address the root causes of international conflicts and foster lasting stability. Vice Professor Wang Qiuyi from the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University delves into how the GSI distinguishes itself from traditional Western security paradigms.
Introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2022 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, the GSI has continually adapted amidst a tumultuous global security landscape characterized by increasing uncertainties and intense major-power rivalries.
Rooted in the principles of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, the GSI offers a framework for nations worldwide to achieve durable security. Unlike Western security concepts that often prioritize national interests and power maximization, the GSI emphasizes balancing a country's own security with that of others, advocating for a more inclusive and cooperative approach.
Firstly, the GSI moves beyond a narrow security perspective. While some Western nations focus on strengthening their own security infrastructure, sometimes at the expense of international norms and other countries' interests, the GSI promotes the indivisibility of security. This approach seeks to harmonize national security with global stability, transcending the West's tendency to pursue absolute security.
Secondly, the GSI challenges hegemonic security views by respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. It stands against the dominance of single countries in international security matters and the exploitation of weaker nations. The initiative supports the equality of security interests and advocates for safeguarding global security through the United Nations' collective security mechanisms. Highlighting China's significant contributions, it is noted that China is the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments and the largest troop contributor among the five permanent members of the Security Council.
As the GSI celebrates its second year, it continues to provide a distinctive perspective on achieving global peace and security, offering alternatives to traditional Western strategies and promoting a more balanced and cooperative international order.
Reference(s):
The Global Security Initiative: Transcending Western security dilemmas
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