The international community faces various challenges such as volatile global situations, sluggish economic recovery, widening development gaps and tragic natural disasters. To overcome these challenges, global harmony and unity, instead of dominance and division, embraces the aspirations of all nations and points the right path for humanity. Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts amid significant global changes. This article examines the origins of the vision, policy implications, China’s implementation, Ethiopia’s perspective and the role of the international community. It also identifies possible ways to adopt and further develop this concept.
In 2013, President Xi introduced the idea of building a global community with a shared future, a grand vision that serves as a blueprint for a better world. In October 2017, at the 19th CPC National Congress, the President emphasized the vision, which draws on traditional Chinese diplomatic principles, China’s rich cultural heritage and its advanced ideological system. It reflects China’s commitment to being a sincere promoter of world peace, making important contributions to global development and steadfastly defending the international order. The vision of a community with a shared future for mankind has called on the international community to participate in building a world characterized by lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity.
In this context, China published a white paper entitled A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions in September 2023. The idea of building a community with a shared future for humanity has evolved from a mere idea to a comprehensive system implemented through extensive international cooperation. It was pointed out at last year’s Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in Beijing that this vision points the right direction for human society leading to common development, lasting peace and security, and mutual learning between civilizations. China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. To enrich the vision and outline a path towards its building, China has introduced three global initiatives— the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The trilogy, in line with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), provides a solid foundation for realizing the vision and represents China’s contributions to shaping a better world.
The vision implies the pursuit of common development. President Xi once said: “China can only do well when the world does well. When China does well, the world will get even better.” With this philosophy, China has become the most important trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions and the most important source of investment for Africa. The country pursues win-win cooperation as a way to achieve the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
The vision of such a community reinforced by the three global initiatives wins warm welcome and enthusiastic response from more and more international partners. As a member of the BRICS countries, Ethiopia is actively involved in building a community with a shared future for mankind. Ethio- China practical cooperation makes the vision a tangible reality. The electrified Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation, has helped land-locked Ethiopia access international maritime trade through ports in neighboring countries. It has reduced the transportation time for freight goods from more than three days to less than 20 hours and cut costs by at least one-third. Similar cooperation projects are beyond count: the riverside green development project, the building of the CBE Headquarters, the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, etc. The projects under the BRI underscores the potential for future cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including business, trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Ethiopia and China have now committed themselves to major joint progress beyond their national borders. Infrastructure and connectivity, industrial parks and investment, livelihood projects demonstrate this pursuit of mutual development.
The vision implies the pursuit of a more just and equitable international order. A shared future requires international cooperation, where countries work together to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty and conflict, rather than taking a zero-sum approach. A fair international order ensures that economic benefits are distributed fairly, with trade policies that empower developing countries, reduce inequality and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Protecting human rights is central to a shared future, with nations working together to protect vulnerable populations, combat discrimination and promote social justice. A sustainable future requires joint efforts to protect the planet, while shared security involves preventing conflict and resolving existing conflicts through dialogue, mediation and cooperation. Initiatives to reduce arms proliferation, promote disarmament and support peacekeeping missions contribute to a fairer world order.
The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind serves as the cornerstone of global diplomacy and shapes its transformative approach. It prioritizes peace over conflict, cooperation and win-win partnerships over zero-sum outcomes, and solidarity and cooperation between different races and nations over division and confrontation. The indication of “a shared future, a better world” aims to create a new framework of international relations, to strengthen the fair and just international order, and to offer a new perspective for international cooperation, development, security and civilization. The goal requires ongoing efforts of all countries, regardless of size and strength, to make global governance more just and equitable.
China is actively working with the international community to promote the reform of the global governance system to truly safeguard the common interest of developing countries. To accelerate this process, the country has introduced the GSI and other initiatives mentioned above, indicating China’s emphasis on openness, inclusiveness, respect for international law, consultation and cooperation and a progressive mindset. They reject isolation, exclusion, conflict, confrontation and a zero-sum mentality, and instead embrace the spirit of unity and common progress in today’s world.
For example, China has proposed the establishment of a global community for health for all and urges international cooperation to address global health challenges. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, China quickly provided emergency assistance to affected African countries. What is more, to prioritize public access to information-based services, bridge the digital divide and ensure that the development of the Internet benefits the people, China proposed a community with a shared future in cyberspace to address development deficits and security issues. The country calls on all nations to respect cyber sovereignty and resist hegemony, bloc confrontation and arms race in cyberspace, as these pose a threat to global peace and development.
The vision implies the pursuit of inter-civilizational exchanges. It recognizes the value of cultural diversity and the potential for mutual understanding and learning between different civilizations. By fostering inter-civilizational exchanges, this vision seeks to bridge divides and promote dialogue, cooperation and respect between nations and cultures. It acknowledges that no single civilization has a monopoly on knowledge, wisdom or progress and that true development can only be achieved through the exchange and integration of ideas, values and experiences from different civilizations. The vision of a community with a shared future promotes an inclusive, harmonious and globally interconnected world by fostering exchange between civilizations. Diversity spurs interaction among civilizations, which in turn promotes mutual learning and their further development. We need to promote exchanges and mutual learning among countries, nations and cultures around the world, and strengthen popular support for jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind. To that end, China believes that all need to uphold the beauty and diversity of civilizations in the world, to stay open and inclusive, and draw on each other’s strengths.
The performing arts have long been a means of cultural exchange, and recent interactions between Ethiopia and China are evidence of this tradition. Last year, the Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe captivated the audience in Addis Ababa with their stirring performances, showcasing the rich spectrum of traditional Chinese opera. This event, organized by various cultural and governmental institutions from both countries, was not only a celebration of the Ethiopian New Year, but also a symbol of our deepening friendship and mutual understanding. Similarly, in January 2024, a cultural troupe from Henan Province captured the hearts of Ethiopians with their breathtaking display of acrobatics, martial arts and dance at the Ethiopian National Theater. These exchanges, which included elements of both Chinese and Ethiopian performing arts, reflects a shared commitment to fostering a global community through the universal language of art. They serve as a bridge connecting ancient civilizations and modern peoples, enriching the cultural landscapes of both countries.
The Chinese saying “the ocean is vast because it does not reject rivers” sums up the commitment to closer cooperation between China and Africa. China, as the world’s largest developing country, and Africa, as the continent with the most developing countries, recognize the importance of building a China-Africa community with a shared future—a consensus reached by both sides at the FOCAC and other occasions.
Ethiopia as a major country in East Africa sets a golden example. Ethiopia and China developed a solid all-weather strategic partnership in October 2023. The two sides, as always, work closely together, employing a high degree of mutual trust, quality cooperation and smart geopolitical thinking to achieve tangible benefits in building a community with a shared future for the two countries and for mankind as a whole. This partnership will contribute even more to our modernization, mutual learning and common prosperity. For instance, the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic groups in China is a valuable model for Ethiopia to promote peaceful coexistence as well.
Looking into the future, countries around the world are expected to join hands to tirelessly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind characterized by peace, progress, and prosperity. It necessitates cooperation at different levels in all fields, unity to address global challenges, sustained efforts across nations and generations, and determination to create a better future shared by all but not by only a few. This endeavor may take a long-term commitment and will not be without challenges. But just as the Ethiopian saying goes, ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር፡፡With collective efforts, we can usher into a brighter future where no one is left behind!
BY BALEW DEMISSIE (PHD)
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2024
