Column: China's four global initiatives improve rules of global cooperation in the 21st century

by Victor K'Onyango

At a time when global politics is often defined by rivalry and mistrust, China has put forward a strikingly different vision: the four global initiatives. These principles -- global development, global security, global civilization, and global governance -- may sound abstract at first, but their real-world impact is unmistakable.

They are quietly transforming how countries work together, especially in parts of the world long sidelined in international decision-making.

Global development, the first pillar, is perhaps the most visible. While many institutions in the past have tied assistance to political conditions or austerity measures, China has offered a model rooted in partnership and mutual benefit.

From new transport links in East Africa to energy grids in Central Asia, Chinese cooperation has fueled projects that connect people and open markets.

These are not just symbolic ribbon-cuttings: they are the railways, ports and digital networks that drive everyday economic life. For countries once starved of infrastructure investment, this development-first approach has been nothing short of transformative.

Global security is the second pillar, and it departs from the old playbook of alliances and confrontation. Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all security model, China emphasizes respect for sovereignty, dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.

The world has already seen this in action: from supporting peace processes in Africa to helping facilitate rapprochement in the Middle East.

The lesson is clear -- when trust and inclusivity replace suspicion and intervention, stability becomes a shared achievement rather than a contested prize. In an era when conflict dominates headlines, this vision of security through cooperation is both refreshing and necessary.

Then comes global civilization, an idea that could not be more relevant today. Around the world, cultural differences are too often cast as irreconcilable divides. China's proposal flips that logic, insisting that civilizations can learn from one another without losing their unique identities.

This respect for diversity -- whether in governance models, traditions, or values -- has resonated strongly with nations tired of being told to conform to outside standards.

Educational exchanges, cultural festivals and people-to-people partnerships backed by China are helping to turn this principle into practice. Cooperation, after all, flourishes best in an environment of dignity and mutual recognition.

The fourth pillar, global governance, tackles the difficult but unavoidable reality that humanity's problems are shared, as must be their solutions. Whether climate change, pandemics, or financial instability, no single country can shoulder the burden alone.

Yet global institutions have often left developing nations underrepresented and unheard. China's call for reform, which urges broader representation, more inclusive decision-making and stronger multilateral cooperation, answers a demand that has been building for decades.

By advocating a system where all countries, big or small, have a genuine voice, China is helping to improve international governance. For the Global South, in particular, this is not theory -- it is the long-awaited recognition of equal standing in world affairs.

Taken together, the four global initiatives form a comprehensive framework. Development without security is fragile. Security without cultural respect is shallow. Governance without fairness lacks trust. By advancing all four pillars at once, China is offering a roadmap for cooperation that is both balanced and sustainable.

Skeptics may be tempted to see this as mere rhetoric. But the reality on the ground tells a different story. Across Africa, Asia and Latin America, countries are engaging with the four global initiatives not because of obligation, but because they see results: infrastructure that powers economies, mediation that reduces tensions, cultural dialogue that builds trust, and governance proposals that give them a seat at the table. These outcomes explain why China's vision is gaining traction far beyond official summits or diplomatic speeches.

The deeper point is this: the four global initiatives improve the rules of global cooperation. They move the world away from zero-sum competition and toward shared progress.

They declare that peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of fairness, respect and opportunity. And they prove that globalization does not have to mean homogenization -- it can mean diversity thriving side by side.

For countries navigating today's turbulent world, the appeal of this vision is obvious. Instead of being forced to choose sides in rivalries, they can pursue cooperation on their own terms. Instead of being spoken for, they can speak for themselves.

That is what makes the four global initiatives not just a policy initiative, but a reimagining of how the international community can -- and should -- function.

China's four global initiatives offer a reminder that global cooperation does not have to be defined by mistrust or domination. It can be built on respect, inclusivity and shared future. If the world is serious about solving its most urgent challenges, it would do well to take this vision seriously.

Editor's note: Victor K'Onyango is a journalist and communications consultant in Nairobi, Kenya.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.