He Yafei

Former Deputy Foreign Minister of China

Former Deputy Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs of the State Council of China

He is former Deputy Foreign Minister of China and Former Deputy Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. He graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University, and earned a master's degree at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. As a professional diplomat, he has served in various positions related to foreign affairs

As we discuss “China’s Diplomacy over the Past Seven Decades”, the status and significance of multilateralism in China’s diplomacy naturally undoubtedly figures prominently in the discussion. Nowadays, due to the prevailing populism and nationalism, multilateralism is standing at a crossroad. The direction of the way forward will not only dictate the evolvement of world order, but also exert major impact on whether the global economy will continue to stay open or retreat into seclusion.

“It is the best of times in history; it is perhaps also the worst of times.” General Secretary Xi Jinping’s observation on the world situation is very keen and insightful. He said that, “the world is in the midst of a seismic change unseen in the past century”, and “China’s development is at its best of all times in history”. Judging from the prospect of China’s development or that of the world, the current era marks a crucial inflection point in the history of humanity with attendant risks and dangers. The existent international order is falling apart, while a new one is beckoning on the distant horizon. At such key conjuncture, uncertainties and turbulences become normalcy and change becomes the going trend. Various conflicts and challenges emerge with unprecedented frequency and intensity.

Global challenges require global solutions in today’s world, and they must be inclusive and multilateral. These solutions, which sometimes seem to be easily available, may turn out to be “far beyond our reach”. This is because some major powers, plagued by populism and nationalism, were no longer willing to provide “global public goods”. They have pulled out from different international groupings or organizations, while threatening tariff hikes or sanctions. Such behaviors have fueled tension in international relations, major country relations in particular.

As China continues its steadfast commitment to multilateralism as it did over the past 70 years, the UN Secretary General Guterres also sets out to reshape the UN systems and mechanisms by seizing the opportunity of the UN’s 75th anniversary next year and engaging the effective cooperation among different countries through the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The idea that “China and the world need each other” has taken deep roots in people’s minds, and sat at the center of China’s firm adherence to multilateralism. China’s development has integrated into global development, playing a bigger role in creating a more beautiful world. This marks a big change with the world of old days in 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was newly established.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, China’s development and its major country diplomacy have entered a new era, proposing a series of new ideas and proposals on global governance, which has caught the global attention. Looking around the globe, as globalization comes to a new phase haunted by rampant populism, polarizing global politics, and growing downward pressure on the world economy, the challenge posed by “multilateralism at crossroads” to all countries is to answer the following questions: where should multilateralism go from here? How can we address the shortage of international public goods? Is the danger of competing major powers falling into the “Thucydides Trap” going to be materialized? Upholding multilateralism remains the key to answer all these questions.

From the inception of the UN in 1945 to the present day, the UN Charter has always been the highest and comprehensive legal statement for multilateralism. However, the original purpose of creating UN was to prevent new world-wars given that the previous two world wars wreaked so much havoc and frightened the global community. Now, it is high time to consider the future of UN and the efficacy of its institutions and mechanisms. The mushrooming new challenges in global politics, security, economic development, international finance, nuclear non-proliferation, outer- space security, cyber security and other areas require multilateralism and global cooperation more than ever. Multilateralism is not only confined to the UN as there are many multilateral institutions and regional organizations such as the G20, G7, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, APEC, OECD, ASEAN and African Union etc. Together with other 400 plus bilateral and multilateral trade arrangements, these institutions have jointly formed the network of global governance.

Chinese traditional culture believes that, the One gave birth successively to two things, three things, and up to ten thousand. Following the same line of thinking, how can multilateralism be developed and enriched in the future? How should its framework and norms be defined? These questions merit our meticulous consideration because these challenges and questions are highly intertwined allowing no segregation. Therefore, to ensure sustained and effective development of multilateralism, we must press ahead with openness and reform-oriented mindset.

The Declaration adopted at the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China can be used a model text for meticulous study. This document won the unanimous support of all G20 members. Both China and the United States pledged to implement the Declaration. Though United States no longer abides by its commitment under the Declaration due to domestic changes, China remains committed because it firmly believes that multilateralism is the cornerstone of international cooperation.

Greater attention should be directed to the correlation between multilateralism and global governance as the current international order and global governance system is worryingly crumbling down. At the early days of reform and opening-up, Mr. Deng Xiaoping once said that, be it white cat or black cat, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat. Such thinking should also be the basic yardstick in assessing the success of multilateralism, that is to say, using practical results as the benchmark. Issues like the reform of the World Trade Organization are quite thorny but crucial, as they bear on the future of global governance, world peace and economic development.

China has made tremendous efforts to accomplish the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in poverty alleviation, contributing 80% of the global poverty-stricken population reduction. From the MDGs to the 2030 SDGs, China is playing a bigger role, providing a new path of development for developing country through its successful governance practices. China is on track to fully eradicating poverty by 2020, a milestone in China’s endeavor to deliver the 2030 SDGs. China will share more experience, support and resources with other developing countries via the Belt and Road Initiative, its global partnership network and other cooperation platforms.

In championing multilateralism, we must also delve into and give the right answers to the following questions: How should we see the current world? How can we identify challenges and threats? How can we better realize the transformation of world order?

Taking stock of the progress in China’s diplomacy over the past 70 years, we can see that China has experienced extraordinary difficulties and progress, from making passive responses to actively participating and even pioneering in the international affairs and global governance. China’s development process, as such, deserves conscientious summarization. Special mention should be made that, General Secretary Xi Jinping taking over the helm of China in the new era at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, is a major turning point in China’s major country diplomacy. Since then, China has involved itself in international affairs and global governance in a more active and meaningful manner to energize the global development.

China derives a series of proposals from its success in domestic reforms and the Chinese civilization of several millenniums, which serve as the core values in guiding China’s adherence to multilateralism. The BRI, and the proposals to build a new type of major country relations featuring equality, non-conflict and non-confrontation, and a community of shared future for humanity, are all examples of China’s contribution to the guiding thoughts on global governance. They herald a new stage of maturity in China’s diplomacy with sophisticated major country diplomacy.

The evolvement of China’s diplomacy over the past 70 years is clear. China does not advocate subverting the current international order, as evidenced by China’s active participation in international affairs and global governance by integrating itself into globalization and global supply chain. China is now starting to play a leading role on certain global issues now.

The China-U.S. relations mean a lot, but not all, to China’s diplomacy. For example, China’s relations with the European Union, Africa, and Latin America are also important. The reality is that, most of the rules or institutional arrangements concerning global governance are either created in Europe or with their guiding notions originated from there.

Some in the U.S. and west hold that, China’s diplomatic policy has grown assertive over the past decades. In fact, this is because China is moving ever closer to the center of global stage as one of the major powers and it is only natural that China needs to play a role on global affairs. General Secretary Xi Jinping has time and again reiterated that, China, no matter how developed it becomes, shall never seek to capsize the current international system, pursue hegemony or build its sphere of influence. Rather, China’s development presents a chance for the world to move towards a better future, and better development opportunities for developing countries and emerging economies in particular. Gone are the days when the international order is dictated by a single country. The rise of China and other developing countries and emerging economies will tip the balance of power in favor of building a more equal and fair international order.

As aforementioned, the UN Charter has spelt out the vision for multilateralism. The world has already faced multiple traditional global challenges. However, the financial regulation and coordination of macroeconomic policies, and the technological revolution brought by outer-space technologies, AI, Big Data, Internet of Things (IoTs), and biological technologies are bringing new global challenges. This requires more powerful and inclusive tools to address the challenges within the framework of multilateralism.

When it comes to the content, means, modalities, adaptability and feasibility of multilateralism, emphasis should not only be placed on the multilateralism and multilateral tools applicable in the economic and trade sector, but also in climate change, space, new technologies and other areas. Multilateralism, though being challenged by unilateralism and populism at the moment, has not yet failed. What it needs is to enhance its diversity and inclusiveness to enrich its connotation and extend its outreach.

The 2030 Agenda is an important UN initiative for the whole world. The keyword is collective action. Compared with MDGs, which were only meant for a certain group of countries, the 2030 Agenda’s SDGs are more extensive and comprehensive, covering a wide range of issues including women and children’s rights and interests, improving living standards, education, poverty reduction and other fundamental issues .

The BRI of China is an important part of, and means of deliverance for, the 2030 Agenda’s SDGs. The key to the 2030 Agenda is action, and mere talking will not make a difference. There are much to be done in implementing the Agenda and such work requires peaceful and stable international environment, sustainable growth of world economy and in particular, the cooperation and the consensus thereof among all countries, especially the major ones. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda was included as a priority in the Hangzhou G20 Summit and followed up with a national level action plan. However, there are gaps in the implementation between different countries. Among the surveyed the 43 nations, only 18 countries have included the Agenda into their national plan and budget. This is far from enough, as it bodes regress, rather than progress, of multilateralism. We need to drum up the call for all countries to focus on the Agenda’s implementation and follow it through with planning and budget.

China has always been an active champion of multilateralism in global governance with its suggested plans and ideas. Regarding the reform of UN, China has come up with a visionary plan, i.e., adhering to multilateralism and opposing unilateralism. China’s endeavor to build the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, the China Africa Fund, the China Arab Cooperation Fund, and the 16+1 Cooperation Mechanism between China and European countries are all cases of active explorations and have accumulated valuable experience. Former President of Slovenia Turck mentioned two key words: “solving problems” and “communication and exchanges”, indicating that multilateralism needs to be grounded in reality and flexible in forms to solve the challenges facing the world.

Only by keeping to the reality and addressing the problems one by one can we ensure the success of multilateralism. In a globalized, complicated and fast-changing world, efforts of a single country cannot tackle the problems. Challenges become global just because they respect no boundaries. The key to “communication and exchanges” is to build an open rather than secluded world. Opening-up is the way out while seclusion leads us to a dead-end. In order to cope with new challenges, we need to reform the old regime and put in place a new one, and in this process, we must ensure the thorough participation of developing countries. The success of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank has demonstrated that, the traditional concept of North-South, South-South is losing relevance. The world is a shared community and no country should be left behind.

I once discussed with Mr. Gordon Brown, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on how to better utilize the existing international mechanisms. When the current ones no longer function, they must be reformed, or replaced by new ones. This is a progressive view of development. Reforming the old to give way for the new, or replacing the old with the new, are the laws of nature. Regarding the definition and standard for developing country, there are different and diversified views, which necessitate in-depth discussions. Just as we can only eat one mouthful of rice at once, we cannot finish the whole task at one go. No matter how global situation evolves, in a highly integrated and inter-connected world, only by sticking to multilateralism and democracy in international relations, can we tide over the immense uncertainties and difficulties in front and reach the other shore of a more beautiful world. 

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