SCO Plus carries Shanghai Spirit forward in pursuit of improved global governance

It is not alarmist to say that global governance stands at a critical juncture, and that reform of the postwar international system is imperative to make it fit for the times.

It was therefore timely that the largest-ever summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which convened in China's northern port city of Tianjin on Sunday and Monday, significantly bolstered confidence in meaningful reform of the global governance system to make it more effective.

The SCO Plus meeting sounded a resounding note for global cooperation, development and a shared future.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored in his address to the meeting on Monday, the organization has increasingly become a catalyst for the development and reform of the global governance system, and he called on it to "continue to unequivocally oppose hegemonism and power politics, practice true multilateralism, and stand as a pillar in promoting a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations".

Stressing that the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remain unchanged, he said the world has found itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation, with new threats and challenges increasing, as the Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism continue to haunt the world.

This has created trust and security deficits. To address these, President Xi called on those attending the meeting to improve global governance by setting an example in carrying out the Global Governance Initiative that he proposed.

To this end, he highlighted five key principles of the initiative: First, adhering to sovereign equality and upholding the principle that all countries, regardless of size, strength, wealth or poverty, enjoy equal participation, decision-making, and benefits from global governance; Second, abiding by international rule of law, fully, comprehensively, and completely adhering to the universally recognized basic norms of international relations, including the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, ensuring the equal and uniform application of international law and rules, and refraining from double standards, and the imposing of the "house rules" of a few countries on others; Third, practicing multilateralism by adhering to the global governance concept of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits; Fourth, advocating the people-centered approach to ensure that people of all countries participate in and share the fruits of improved global governance; Fifth, focusing on taking real actions by adhering to systematic planning and holistic advancement of coordinated global actions that fully mobilize resources from all parties.

"I look forward to working with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity," he said.

Multilateralism, based on coordination and cooperation, is ingrained in the DNA of the SCO Plus, which boasts 10 member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners, and represents nearly half of the world's population, one-fourth of the global landmass and about one-fourth of the global GDP. No wonder the SCO is being increasingly looked upon as an important force for safeguarding world peace and a driver for reform of the global governance system.

As President Xi told those attending the meeting in Tianjin on Monday, the SCO member states were the first to put forward the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits as an effort to practice true multilateralism. Hailing the organization for its international influence and appeal that are increasing day by day, Xi urged them to forge ahead by carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit that the organization embodies.

Reforming and improving global governance to keep pace with the times is imperative to uphold international fairness and justice and oppose the bullying acts of those who hope to keep a stranglehold on international affairs.

The Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development is the guiding light for the organization to forge ahead with solid steps toward the realization of a community with a shared future for humanity.