Under the theme An Uncertain World: Solidarity and Cooperation for Development Amid Challenges, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2023 was held on March 28-31 in Boao, in the southern island province of Hainan. With key issues including energy, geopolitical tensions and climate change at the top of the agenda, the forum again targeted development and security concerns of the international community.

China has been exploring ways to play its part in addressing current global challenges, including regional conflicts and the lingering impacts of COVID-19. While delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of last year's BFA annual conference, President Xi Jinping encapsulated China's approach to global security issues by using the quote: "One must not change one's commitment or give up one's pursuit even in the face of danger and risk."

The quote comes from The Governing Principles of Ancient China, a collection of classic works compiled by politician and historian Wei Zheng in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), with a focus on promoting good governance. The quote emphasizes the need to retain one's aspirations and morality when facing headwinds, urging people to stay faithful during hard times and avoid wavering in the face of challenges.

At last year's BFA annual conference, President Xi proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), calling on countries to stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and team up to keep the world safe and secure.

China then issued the GSI Concept Paper in late February this year, further illustrating the principles and concepts of the initiative. According to the paper, the GSI aims to eliminate the root of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage international efforts to bring more stability and certainty, and promote durable peace and development.

Stressing discarding the Cold War mentality, opposing unilateralism, and saying no to group politics and bloc confrontation, the GSI emphasizes the holistic approach to strike a balance between security and progress, and to enhance sustainable security through sustainable development.

In keeping with the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, China has been fostering a new type of international relations, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity in global governance.

China has been an active participant in international events, such as the Group of 20 (G20) meetings, and has contributed Chinese ideas at them. It has also promoted cooperation with the BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded China-Africa cooperation, and improved ties with Latin American and Caribbean countries.

After proposing the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, China has signed agreements with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations. The initiative aims to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

China has upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, participated in UN peacekeeping missions, and opposed the hegemonic invasion of Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. It has also been carrying out international cooperation on climate change, as it moves toward its goals to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and to become carbon neutral before 2060. Over the past three years since the emergence of COVID-19, China has provided billions of vaccines and hundreds of billions anti-pandemic supplies to many countries. 

China's contribution to upholding global security has yielded notable results. On March 10, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in Beijing that the latter two had reached a deal that includes the resumption of diplomatic relations and reopening of embassies and missions within two months. The 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 17-19 focused on addressing pressing global security challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and giving a voice to countries of the Global South. At the MSC, Chinese delegates expressed China's initiative of upholding global peace. 

China has gained global recognition for its position that all countries, big or small, are equal members of the international community.

China firmly advocates multilateralism, and opposes unilateral sanctions. Facing the U.S.-imposed chip export ban and trade war, China has maintained its commitment to widening its doors while seeking dialogue and negotiations.

As the GSI suggests, countries should pursue peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes, build an effective global security framework and turn to dialogue and consultation to address differences and disputes through peaceful means. When countries join forces to face the challenges at hand, humanity's prospects will look more promising.

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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