Amidst complex shifts in the international balance of power, particularly as strategic gaming between major countries has become increasingly fierce, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. It is thus undisputed that true multilateralism needs to be practiced. Multilateralism is a common-sense concept familiar to the international community. At a time when the world is facing great changes unseen in a century, it is imperative to clarify the connotation and new attributes of multilateralism.

Clarifying the connotation of multilateralism

The modern global governance system gradually took shape following World War II. Comprising a series of international organizations and multilateral mechanisms under the framework of UN, the system provides norms and rules for all countries to participate in international political, economic, security and other pertinent affairs. The system includes most countries around the globe, and the member countries generally follow the principle of multilateralism. This has provided an indispensable basis for maintaining world peace and stability, with significant contributions to fostering dialogue and settling disputes. Most importantly, multilateralism with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter at its core has been practiced. However, due to historical reasons, developed countries enjoy the “first-mover advantage” in this system, possessing more international discourse rights than developing countries.

In recent years, complexity within the global governance system has emerged from time to time, and the connotation of multilateralism has become increasingly rich. Studies based on the paradigm of multilateralism are making robust progress. The specific themes include the formal multilateral international system, informal international mechanism, the old multilateral international organizations and mechanisms, the established multilateral governance system, and the direction of the future reform. Diverse actors interact with each other, the multilateral order gets increasingly complex, and different systems tend to intersect and overlap with each other. At the same time, as strategic gaming between major powers escalates, the phenomenon of using multilateral platforms as a medium has become increasingly prominent. Some countries have distorted the concept of multilateralism and instrumentalized multilateral platforms in pursuit of their own interests, seriously violating the tenet of multilateralism. Therefore, while studying the epochal nature of the concept of multilateralism, it is also important to clarify its true connotation.

China insists on true multilateralism

In the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative. In his speech, he called for upholding true multilateralism, and making the global governance system more fair and equitable. Hereafter, Xi stressed many times that true multilateralism should be upheld in important international situations.

True multilateralism is based on global common interest. China’s participation in global governance aims not only to maintain its own national interests, but is also guided by the common values of humanity. In recent years, China made efforts in shouldering international responsibilities, for example, by establishing the multilateral development institution Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). With the AIIB, China aims to bridge the funding gap faced by infrastructure construction in Asia. According to the AIIB Annual Report 2021, 51 projects across various sectors worth $ 9.93 billion have already been approved by AIIB in 2021.

The underlying logic of true multilateralism is equal participation. As it emphasizes, international affairs should be handled through discussion and the future and destiny of the world should be in the hands of all countries. All countries, be they big or small, should support the principle that they have equal opportunities to participate in international affairs, multilateral platforms and share the fruits of development. We currently emphasize true multilateralism because some developed countries tend to weaponize and instrumentalize multilateral rules, or simply abandon them and replace them with unilateral hegemony. To practice true multilateralism, we need to oppose behaviors that undermine the international order, and that create confrontation and division in the name of “rules.”

Ren Lin is a research fellow from the Institute of World Economics and Politics at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.