by: Ms. Hafsa Akram, Research Assistant, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF).
The visionary concept of building a global community with a shared future for humanity, encompassing the Belt and Road Initiative along with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, all championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, closely aligns with the ideals and objectives of the United Nations. These initiatives have received widespread recognition and active support from the international community.
This concept has transitioned from mere ideas into concrete actions, turning a visionary concept into tangible reality with specific projects. China’s significant contribution to global endeavors aimed at safeguarding our shared planet and forging a brighter, more prosperous future for all The BRI has laid the foundation for a fresh paradigm in international economic cooperation.
Ancient Silk Road: The rejuvenation of the historic Silk Road stands as a testament to the fact that the ancient silk routes were not only conduits for trade but also served as avenues for profound cultural exchanges, contributing significantly to the advancement of human civilization.
Over millennia, these ancient silk routes served as vital conduits of interaction, connecting regions spanning from the Nile Valley, Tigris, and Euphrates to the Indus, Ganges, and the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. These routes linked the birthplaces of the world’s most significant civilizations, the regions where Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam took root, and the homelands of diverse nationalities and races.
Their existence fostered connectivity among nations across the Eurasian continent, encouraging exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. This, in turn, propelled regional development and prosperity, embodying the Silk Road spirit characterized by its core values of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit.
Millennia-old silk routes, symbolizing the communication and cooperation between the East and the West, provide a poignant example of how upholding principles like solidarity, mutual trust, equality, can lead to peace and development for countries with diverse ethnic groups, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds. The Silk Road spirit aligns harmoniously with the ideal of “all states joining together in harmony and peace,” a principle deeply rooted in the Chinese nation’s heritage, emphasizing amity, good neighborliness, and the idea of “helping others to succeed while seeking success together.
China Diplomacy: China has played a significant role in fostering the healthy development of economic globalization and addressing global development challenges while contributing to the enhancement of the global governance system. Chinese diplomacy in this new era aims to advance the establishment of a new type of international relations and a community of shared futures.
The realization of a global community with a shared future relies on the collective efforts of all nations. When countries come together to pursue the common good, plan collaboratively, and work collectively towards the common goal of constructing a global community of shared futures, we can create an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world characterized by lasting peace, universal security, and shared prosperity. This joint effort will pave the way for a better future for all of humanity.
By presenting China’s vision for the course of human development, it counters the hegemonic ambitions of certain countries that seek dominance. This underscores the vital importance of fostering solidarity and cooperation among all nations to collectively build a brighter future for humanity.
Clean and green environment: In the pursuit of a green environment, visions share a collective commitment to eco-environmental considerations. China has engaged in policy dialogues and exchanged ideas and achievements in green development. Through closer collaboration in areas such as green infrastructure, renewable energy, eco-friendly transport, and sustainable finance, all stakeholders are working together to expand their consensus and take tangible steps towards green development.
The overarching objective is to establish a resource-efficient, eco-conscious, and low-carbon Silk Road, thereby making a substantial contribution to preserving the eco-environment, achieving peak carbon and neutrality goals, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
In April 2019, in partnership with relevant countries, international organizations, and representatives from the business and academic communities, China initiated the Beijing Initiative for the Clean Silk Road. This visionary initiative advocates for a clean Silk Road characterized by broad consultation, joint contributions, and shared benefits.
UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) actively promotes coordinated economic, social, and eco-environmental development. Its primary objectives are to tackle the root causes and obstacles hindering development and to stimulate the self-driven development of participating nations.
It is committed to achieving enduring, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, with a strong emphasis on incorporating sustainable development principles into project selection, implementation, and management. Following established international standards and debt sustainability principles, it is dedicated to establishing a resilient, stable, sustainable, and risk-controlled investment and financing system using innovative models and diverse channels.
China Actions and Contributions:
- Implementing of global initiatives: China has taken significant actions and made substantial contributions to building a global community of shared future through the implementation of three global initiatives. Under the Global Development Initiative, China has hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development, presenting 32 major measures, including the creation of the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total of $4 billion in funding. This initiative has garnered support from over 100 countries and international organizations, with over 70 countries participating in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative at the United Nations.
In terms of the Global Security Initiative, China has played a pivotal role in maintaining world peace by peacefully settling land boundary issues with 12 of its 14 neighboring countries and contributing over 50,000 personnel to UN peacekeeping operations in more than 20 countries and regions.
On the Ukraine issue, China has actively promoted peace talks and released its position on the political settlement of the crisis. Additionally, under the Global Civilization Initiative, China has hosted various international gatherings and cultural events, fostering political party exchanges and cooperation.
- Promoting high-quality Cooperation: China’s commitment to promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation is evident in various aspects. Policy connectivity has deepened, with over three-quarters of countries worldwide and more than 30 international organizations signing agreements on Belt and Road cooperation with China by July 2023.
Infrastructure connectivity has strengthened through the establishment of a general framework consisting of six corridors, six routes, and multiple countries and ports. Trade connectivity is on the rise, with the Belt and Road Initiative projected to increase intra-BRI trade by 4.1 percent when fully implemented, generating $1.6 trillion in annual global revenues by 2030.
Financial connectivity has expanded with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund supporting numerous projects. People-to-people connectivity continues to grow, leading to improved living standards in participating countries through the development of roads, bridges, and various belts.
China’s collaborative efforts extend to multiple countries and regions, resulting in swift and steady progress in building communities of shared future. Initiatives such as the China-Africa community of shared future, China-Arab community of shared future, China-Latin America and the Caribbean community of shared future, and China-Pacific Island Countries community of shared future have all made significant strides.
Among neighboring countries, the China-ASEAN community of shared future continues to advance, along with the community of shared future of Lancang-Mekong countries.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization community of shared future has achieved substantial outcomes, and the building of the China-Central Asia community of shared future is making solid progress.
- Boosting international cooperation in all areas: China’s proactive approach to international cooperation spans various domains. It has proposed the establishment of a community of health for all, playing a frontline role in international anti-pandemic cooperation and offering assistance to more than 150 countries and international organizations. Additionally, China introduced the concept of a community of shared future in cyberspace, hosting the World Internet Conference and establishing the World Internet Conference Organization.
China’s commitment extends to achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060, underscoring the importance of a community of life for humanity and nature and a community of all life on Earth.
