In the mid-20th century, the international order that underpins our world today emerged from the wreckage of World War II. The creation of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank reflected an unprecedented aspiration: To replace conflict with cooperation, chaos with rules and power politics with multilateralism. The victors of the war envisioned a framework that could secure peace, rebuild economies and promote collective progress.

As one of the original founding members of the UN and a participant in the negotiations that shaped the post-war order, China was recognized for its role and its sacrifices during the conflict. Yet, due to the complexities of the Cold War geopolitics, the People's Republic of China was excluded from direct participation in many of these institutions for nearly 30 years.

During those formative decades, the governance of global institutions was largely dominated by Western powers, whose economic and military strength shaped the rules, structures and priorities of the international system. These institutions reflected a world order characterized by hierarchies of power and privilege that often failed to fully account for the voices and interests of developing nations, especially those in Asia, Africa and South America.

Today, in 2025, as the world observes the 80th anniversary of the UN's establishment, the landscape has changed profoundly. China is not only participating in the existing order but actively shaping a more inclusive, representative and development-focused future.

From sidelines to center

At the UN, China is now the second largest contributor to the regular budget and the leading peacekeeping troop contributor among the permanent members of the Security Council. In peacekeeping missions, China's presence signals a growing commitment to international stability through action rather than rhetoric.

In the IMF and World Bank, China is the third largest shareholder. It uses its influence to advocate for reform—seeking greater voice and representation for developing countries that have long been sidelined. At the World Trade Organization, China has become the world's largest trader in goods and a vigorous supporter of multilateral trade rules, even as others embrace protectionism.

But China has also recognized that many of these institutions, created in the 1940s, can no longer meet the challenges of the 21st century. Rather than reject or replace them, China has sought to complement them—by building new platforms that are more responsive to the needs of developing countries.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), initiated by China in 2015, now has over 100 members. Its mission is clear: To finance the infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth in the developing world. Operating under rigorous governance standards and free from political strings, the AIIB presents a new model of multilateral finance—pragmatic, inclusive and development-oriented.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, co-founded by China and once focused on border demilitarization, has evolved into a broad-based regional forum encompassing diplomacy, trade and cultural exchange.

Most ambitious of all is the Belt and Road Initiative—a China-proposed global infrastructure and connectivity initiative that spans over 140 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. This initiative is narrowing development gaps and creating new engines of shared prosperity.

These initiatives are tied together by a coherent strategic vision articulated by President Xi Jinping: the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity. This vision emphasizes common development, mutual security, civilizational diversity and multilateral cooperation.

Three global initiatives

China's vision for a better world has been outlined in three global initiatives that anchor its foreign policy:

The Global Development Initiative, launched in 2021, brings sustainable development back to the heart of the global agenda. With a focus on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare and digital infrastructure, it aims to accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ensure no country is left behind.

The Global Security Initiative, introduced in 2022, calls for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. Rejecting zero-sum thinking and Cold War mentalities, it urges states to resolve disputes through dialogue, not confrontation.

The Global Civilizations Initiative, presented in 2023, highlights respect for diversity in governance models, development paths and cultural traditions. It advocates mutual learning among civilizations rather than ideological export or imposition.

Together, these three initiatives provide a moral and strategic foundation for China's approach to global governance: inclusive, balanced and respectful of sovereignty.

Regional and global engagement

China has embraced a layered model of engagement—deepening cooperation with major economies, regional partners and emerging powers alike.

Within BRICS, a group of emerging economies originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, China advocates reforms in global financial governance and promotes South-South cooperation. The BRICS-created New Development Bank offers an alternative to legacy financial institutions by prioritizing member-led development projects without political conditionality.

In the Group of 20 (G20), China plays a pivotal role in driving consensus on digital economy governance, sustainable development financing and green infrastructure investment. It often serves as a bridge between the developed and developing worlds, championing equitable globalization.

Through Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation, China supports regional economic integration, disaster response capacity and digital transformation initiatives. The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area remains one of the most dynamic regional trade frameworks, emphasizing mutual growth through dialogue and connectivity.

In Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), China actively contributes to promoting trade liberalization, innovation and inclusive digitalization across the Pacific Rim. Its active role in APEC reinforces its commitment to open regionalism and multilateral cooperation.

China is also a key member of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade pact comprising the 10 ASEAN member states and five of their major trading partners, namely, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and has formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a high-standard free trade agreement among 11 Asia-Pacific economies. These steps reflect China's desire to integrate deeper into global value chains and uphold high-standard trade rules.

Convening and creating

One of China's most significant contributions to global governance is its growing "convening power." It hosts and sponsors a wide array of international platforms that foster policy dialogue and practical cooperation.

The Boao Forum for Asia gathers policymakers, business leaders and scholars to discuss regional economic integration, innovation and sustainability.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has institutionalized China-Africa relations, producing tangible outcomes in health, education and infrastructure across the African continent.

The China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum builds bridges between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries, promoting people-to-people exchange and economic partnerships.

The China Development Forum is a premier venue for global business leaders and academic thinkers to engage directly with China's top policymakers. It plays a critical role in policy transparency and forward-looking economic dialogue.

The China International Import Expo (CIIE), the first national-level import-themed trade fair in the world, demonstrates China's willingness to open its markets. Since its launch in 2018, the CIIE has provided a platform for foreign businesses to access China's vast consumer base while encouraging balanced trade and global market access.

Embracing shared leadership

China's growing presence in the global arena is often misunderstood. Some critics portray its actions as attempts to upend the existing order. Yet this narrative misrepresents China's approach and intentions.

The nation does not seek hegemony. It does not aim to dismantle the current system but to reform and enhance it so that it better reflects today's multipolar, interconnected world.

Its approach can be summarized in three core commitments:

• To build, not to break: Strengthening international institutions rather than abandoning them;

• To connect, not to divide: Promoting integration, not decoupling;

• To collaborate, not to confront: Addressing global challenges through collective, rather than unilateral, action.

The success of this vision cannot depend on China alone. It requires openness and responsibility from all members of the international community. In a time of uncertainty, from climate change to food insecurity to regional conflict, global cooperation is not a choice; it is a necessity. 

The author is president of the America China Public Affairs Institute

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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