Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the idea of Global Security Initiative (GSI) during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022 on April 21. The initiative is a unique and rational idea for the sustainable security in the future. It not only highlights the equality and togetherness but also provides viable options.

The initiative is a prescription for the world as global security environment is highly uncertain and complicated due to climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts, etc. The four pillars of GSI – to stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security – have all the elements and instruments that can help the world combat new security challenges and secure sustainable peace.

The four pillars of GSI represent the needs of many less developed countries. As the existing security model is based on alliance regimes, Cold War mentality and hegemonic ambition. Hegemonic ambition has led to the slogan of “my country’s security first”. This slogan is a constant irritant to international security and peace. Powerful countries are using it to justify their wars and compromising the security of other countries. It also encouraged powerful countries to capture the resources of weak countries in the name of free economy, human rights and democracy. Cold War mentality is sowing seeds of conflict across the world. Western countries always seek to sustain their power by hook or by crook. It has brought multiple conflicts to the world.

In a nutshell, the existing security model has steered the world towards sharp divisions among countries. It has paved the way for alliances with and against each other like North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and many others. It is unfortunate that these military blocs have become the source of constant uncertainty. Self-assumed responsibility of peace, greatness and righteousness has triggered many conflicts across the world. The most recent example is Russian-Ukraine conflict. Hegemonic and self-righteousness behaviors of NATO have thrown the Eurasia into conflict. Russia asked multiple times the US-led NATO to stop its eastward expansion, but the bloc never listened to Russia.

In this context, weak countries are looking for a new system which can ensure their safety and pave the way for sustainable security. The four pillars of GSI can answer the questions of weak countries and ensure sustainable peace. The first pillar of GSI tells us security is a common responsibility and right of all countries without any discrimination of status of development and military might. It also discourages the alliance mentality and urges every country to work together. There is no one superior or inferior. It further strengthens the notion that all countries are equal and no one should put its security above on others. Thus, all countries will have to join hands to secure peace in a sustainable way.

The second pillar of GSI not only aims to meet present needs of the world but also duly focuses on the needs of the future. It is the first time that a security initiative gives equal weight to traditional and non-traditional security challenges. President Xi is cognizant of the fact that without securing basic needs of people, peace can never be achieved. Therefore, he considers food security, poverty alleviation, energy security, health and safe water are equally important. Moreover, it is also needed to focus on challenges of climate change, technology, artificial intelligence and pandemics to ensure a safe and prosperous planet for the future generations. So, he proposes to stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains,?and work together on regional disputes and global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biosecurity. He believes the world needs to work more on these areas than investing in weapons of mass destruction.

The third pillar of GSI which gives the cooperative approach and methodology to devise instruments of peace and security is extremely important. This pillar is designed to overcome the challenges of exclusiveness and segregation among the countries. As we know, current system is deeply divided and exclusive. Countries with muscles seek to dominate the world and force rest of the world to follow them. They always impose sanctions on those who oppose them and deprive weak countries of economic opportunity. The United Nations Security Council, International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other institutions are being used to secure their interests. In most of the time, they do not share any information with weak countries before decision making. It is against the dignity of human and respect of nations. It is hoped that GSI will help solve this problem and bring equality to all countries.

The fourth pillar of GSI is sustainable security. The idea is not only about symptoms and root causes but also about taking appropriate steps to tackle the real problems. The sustainable security pillar attaches equal importance to people’s needs for social and development. It emphasizes that without securing rule of law, social and economic development, we cannot secure peace. Food insecurity and poverty contribute to conflict and threat the global security. The world cannot teach a hungry person morals or rule of law. The person needs food first to live. The world should first secure the fight to live. Thus, the world needs to give due importance to people’s needs for social and development. The world must put more focus on sustainable development goals (SDGs), Global Development Initiative goals and take practical steps to create a fair world. The starting point would be to broaden the vision and the scope of security.

In conclusion, President Xi has proposed an initiative which has remedies for numerous issues and to ensure sustainable peace. The successful implementation of GSI can contribute to addressing the challenges and preventing or solving the conflicts. It is also expected that the implementation of GSI will help steer the world towards the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Let’s hope countries can work together for the betterment of mankind but not fight against each other to secure its hegemonic power.

The article reflects the author’s opinions, and not necessarily the views of China Focus.