Multipolarity Archives - Friends of Socialist China

Wang Yi holds intensive round of bilateral meetings in Manila

During his recent visit to the Philippines’ capital Manila, to attend the China-ASEAN [Association of South East Asian Nations] Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held meetings between July 21-23 with a broad range of his counterparts who were also in Manila for a series of meetings with the ASEAN countries.

On July 21, Wang met with the Secretary-General of ASEAN as well as with his counterparts from Malaysia, Canada and Australia.

Meeting with Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn, Wang Yi noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). China was the first major country to accede to the TAC, which encouraged other major countries to follow suit and significantly enhanced ASEAN’s international standing. China will continue to support ASEAN community building and ASEAN’s efforts in seeking strength through unity.

He added that the South China Sea is the common home of regional countries, and the South China Sea issue should not become an obstacle in China-ASEAN relations. Certain elements within the Philippine military and police forces have made deliberate provocations and created maritime incidents, serving the interests of external forces and undermining the improvement of China-Philippines relations as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea. Regional countries must remain on high alert against this.

Kao Kim Hourn recalled that the two sides have established 65 cooperation mechanisms. The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area has been upgraded, and bilateral trade exceeded one trillion US dollars last year. He added that next year marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). ASEAN supports the dual-track approach and is committed to accelerating consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship. ASEAN is ready to work with China to jointly maintain regional peace and stability and make important contributions to the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.

Meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Wang Yi noted that last year, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Malaysia, during which the two sides announced the building of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, ushering in a new ‘Golden 50 Years’ of bilateral relations. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN and the fifth anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership. ASEAN is an important component of the multipolar landscape and a key force of the Global South. China expects Malaysia to play its role well as the Country Coordinator for China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, safeguard the common interests of China and ASEAN, and uphold peace and stability in East Asia. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Malaysia, so as to keep China-ASEAN relations at the forefront of the times and set an example for Global South countries in pursuing strength through unity.

Mohamad Hasan stated that China is a trusted friend and partner of Malaysia and also Malaysia’s largest trading partner. Malaysia cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is ready to deepen practical cooperation with China in areas such as digital technology and artificial intelligence. Some countries outside the region have nothing to do with the South China Sea, yet they always want to flex military muscles there. Malaysia looks forward to the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and to jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Wang Yi noted that since the beginning of this year, China-Canada relations have continued to improve, with increasingly close exchanges at all levels and fruitful cooperation across various fields. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade volume grew by 16 percent year-on-year, with Canadian exports to China increasing by 23.3 percent. Facts have proven that the improvement and growth of China-Canada relations serve the common interests of both countries, are welcomed by the two peoples, and represent the right choice in line with the trend of history.

The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation is tailor-made for the Global South

The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference was held from July 17-20 in Shanghai, featuring a keynote speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the formation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), a new intergovernmental body headquartered in the city, with 29 founding members.

Between July 16-18, President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with high level guests attending the conference along with the concurrent High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.

On the afternoon of July 16, President Xi Jinping met with the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

President Xi noted that, in a world undergoing profound and complex changes unseen in a century, the China-Kazakhstan relationship has stood the test of time and grown ever stronger. The permanent comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained excellent development and demonstrated huge cooperation potential and broad prospects. He emphasised that steadily advancing bilateral cooperation across the board serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. China will work with Kazakhstan to implement the four global initiatives and enhance coordination and collaboration in multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the China-Central Asia mechanism to jointly uphold international fairness and justice.

President Tokayev extended warm congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and commended China for its remarkable development achievements under the wise leadership of President Xi. Kazakhstan views its relations with China as a top foreign policy priority and is committed to continuously strengthening the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Kazakhstan is in complete agreement with President Xi’s important observations on the bilateral relations and will make vigorous efforts with China to translate them into action.

The next day Xi met with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet.

President Xi stated that having stood in solidarity and supported each other throughout the years, China and Cambodia have forged an ironclad friendship that has stood the test of time and weathered storms. History has proven that the China-Cambodia friendship is not built on any single occasion or particular issue. Rather, it is rooted in a consensus that transcends the evolving international landscape and has been passed down through generations. It is a precious asset shared by both sides. He emphasised that in the great endeavours of governing and strengthening the Party, the Communist Party of China has formed the thought on party building for the new era, which will continue to galvanise the mighty force driving Chinese modernisation. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Cambodian People’s Party, China stands ready to strengthen experience sharing with the Cambodian side on party building and state governance.

Wang Yi attends meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation foreign ministers

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States, held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan on July 24.

Addressing the meeting, Wang Yi stated that the SCO Tianjin Summit, held in August-September 2025, mapped out a strategic blueprint for the organisation’s development over the next decade and opened a new stage of high-quality development. Seven cooperation platforms in green industry, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, energy, higher education, vocational and technical education, and artificial intelligence have been launched, generating more than 160 projects. Nearly three-quarters of the planned 10 GW solar PV and wind power projects have been implemented, while over two-thirds of the 100 ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood programs have been approved.

Wang Yi noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO. From the early days when six countries enhanced military trust in border areas and combated terrorism, separatism and extremism, to the present when 27 countries, representing nearly half of the world’s population, are engaged in cooperation across more than 50 fields, the SCO has consistently upheld the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilisations, and pursuit of common development, continuously expanding the path of a new type of international relations and multilateral cooperation. Currently, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and the world is experiencing tremendous turbulence and transformation. The international community expects the SCO to promote regional security and development and to resolve global governance challenges. The development strategy for the next decade makes clear that member states will deepen cooperation and make greater contributions to building a more democratic and just multipolar world.

Wang Yi put forward four proposals:

The SCO should continue to uphold the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ as its fundamental guiding principle in handling internal affairs and conducting external exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, maintain solidarity and coordination, firmly support one another, and remain open and inclusive.

The SCO should strengthen the firewall for peace and stability by consistently advocating dialogue to settle disputes, consultation to resolve differences and cooperation to safeguard peace.

The SCO should inject stronger momentum into win-win development by strengthening synergy between national development strategies and regional cooperation initiatives.

The SCO should build a model zone for global governance by safeguarding the authority and role of the United Nations, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, and working together with nearly 160 participants in the Global Governance Initiative and over 120 UN member states who support deeper cooperation with the SCO to explore an effective global governance model with broad participation. The SCO should also improve its own operational mechanisms and welcome more countries to join the organisation.

The SCO foreign ministers adopted a joint statement, in which they reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation, regional security and a more representative and inclusive multipolar world.

The member states reiterated the SCO’s commitment to the principles of not targeting other states and organisations, mutual respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and non-use of force or threats of using force in international relations.

The statement said the world today is entering a new period of rapid development and profound transformation. The role of Global South countries continues to grow, emerging economic and political centres are playing an increasingly prominent role, countries are becoming increasingly intertwined and interconnected, and the process of informatisation and digitalisation is constantly accelerating.

Amid rising global and regional security threats, the ministers expressed deep concern over the developments in the Middle East and around Iran. They reaffirmed the principled position regarding the condemnation of military strikes against Iran as outlined in the Tianjin Declaration adopted at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO on September 1, 2025, holding that such acts of aggression constitute a grave violation of the UN Charter and the principles and norms of international law.

The ministers once again expressed their sincere condolences over the tragic death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and extended their sympathies to the Iranian government and people as well as his family.

Meanwhile, the council reaffirmed that Central Asia is the core region of the SCO, supports the efforts of Central Asian countries to maintain peace and security in their own countries and the region, and advocates that the SCO play an active role in further consolidating stability and promoting economic and social development there.

The member states regarded unilateral coercive measures, including economic sanctions, that violate the UN Charter and other norms of international law as unacceptable, saying such measures impede international cooperation and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The member states also advocated further expanding mutual trade among SCO countries to create more opportunities for businesses.

The next SCO Summit, marking its 25th anniversary, will be held in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek from August 31-September 1.

Xi Jinping outlines China’s vision for the future of artificial intelligence

On 17 July, Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address at the opening of the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai – his first in-person appearance at the conference since it began in 2018, and coming a day after 29 countries signed the agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), a new intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai. The event was attended by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Hun Manet of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the Kingdom of Thailand, Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres, and official representatives, business leaders, scholars and researchers from more than 100 countries and international organisations.

In the following analysis for Friends of Socialist China, Carlos Martinez examines the significance of Xi’s speech and the launch of WAICO. He argues that they represent a direct alternative to Washington’s approach – encapsulated in the Trump administration’s “Winning the Race” AI action plan, with its export controls, model restrictions and pressure on allies to join a technological blockade of China.

Where the United States treats artificial intelligence as a weapon in a zero-sum contest for supremacy, Xi calls for “open source, openness, collaboration and sharing”, and for AI to be developed as a common asset of humanity, with its benefits extended to the Global South. It is, Carlos writes, a democratic, multipolar and socialist vision: technology as a public good, serving people before profit.

SCO debates sovereign financial infrastructure for the Global South

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – which now represents some 42 percent of the world’s population – is increasingly turning its attention to building financial infrastructure independent of the US dollar. At a forum held on the sidelines of the 14th World Peace Conference in Beijing, officials and analysts from Iran, Russia, China, Belarus and Uzbekistan debated how the bloc might construct alternative settlement mechanisms capable of insulating its members from Washington’s unilateral sanctions.

The context is the growing use of sanctions as a weapon of economic warfare against independent states – Iran, Russia, Belarus, Venezuela and Cuba among them. As the following report from Press TV explains, the proposals under discussion build on an initiative advanced by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the SCO’s Tianjin summit: expanding trade in national currencies, developing secure digital infrastructure for cross-border payments, and establishing a multilateral swap fund to cushion members against financial shocks.

For its proponents, such a system is about more than evading sanctions. It is about establishing a sovereign financial architecture for the Global South – one that would allow nations to decouple from Western financial hegemony and conduct their trade, investment and development on their own terms. It is a further sign of the emerging multipolar order.

The CPC’s contribution to global governance

The following article by Carlos Martinez asks what kind of international order the Communist Party of China has sought to build over its 105 years – and finds a consistent answer: an order founded on peace. Against the Western media’s warnings of Chinese “assertiveness” and “expansionism”, Carlos sets out China’s actual record: no major war in over four decades, a single overseas base, a no-first-use nuclear pledge, and a tradition running from the 1954 Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to today’s Global Security Initiative. He traces how that principle – that security can only be common, or it is no security at all – has translated into practice, from the Iran–Saudi Arabia rapprochement to the Beijing Declaration on Palestinian unity.

Wang Yi in New Delhi: BRICS should take the lead in speaking out for justice

A meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers was held in the Indian capital New Delhi on June 23. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended in his capacities of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs.

The meeting was chaired by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the attendees held in-depth exchanges of views on issues including response to non-traditional security challenges, counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.

Wang Yi said at the meeting that BRICS cooperation has gone through 20 years and has increasingly become a core force in the world that safeguards peace, promotes development and upholds justice. Facing the complex and profound changes in the current international landscape, China is willing to work with other BRICS countries to jointly address the urgent challenges facing human society and jointly adhere to the right direction of world history evolution.

In this regard he put forward four key points which included:

Uphold the international order with BRICS responsibilities. “We must hold high the banner of multilateralism, firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and unequivocally oppose unilateralism and protectionism. As the forefront of the Global South, BRICS countries should take the lead in speaking out for justice and acting fairly and enhance their status and role in international affairs.”

Respond to global challenges with BRICS actions. “We must resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, unequivocally oppose the militarisation of outer space, effectively address global energy and food security challenges, strengthen cooperation on strategic mineral resources, and unite to respond to the Ebola epidemic in Africa.”

Wang Yi stressed that the vitality of BRICS lies in equality and mutual benefit and the strength of BRICS lies in unity and mutual assistance.

Summarising the outcomes and significance of the meeting, Wang Yi said that “the common message sent by this meeting is that BRICS and the Global South should uphold independence, strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance, pool more collective wisdom, and coordinate stronger joint actions. The clear direction set by this meeting is that we support further leveraging the mechanism of the Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security, maintaining communication and coordination on major international and regional hotspot issues, and continuously enriching the dimensions of greater BRICS cooperation.”

Next year China will assume the BRICS chairmanship and Wang said that he looks forward to gathering with everyone again in China.

Wang also referred to lessons to be drawn from the US-Iran war, noting that the United States and Iran have recently reached a first-phase memorandum of understanding. “The conflict, which lasted over a hundred days, has sharply affected the regional and international situation and offers us profound lessons”:

The importance of upholding international rules. The settlement of any international and regional hotspot issues should be based on abiding by international rules. The law of the jungle may succeed for a while, but it is not sustainable.

The importance of respecting national sovereignty. Territorial integrity shall not be violated and a country’s internal affairs shall not be interfered with.

The importance of establishing a new vision of security. Countries are increasingly becoming a community of a shared future and the practice of seeking absolute security of oneself at the expense of others will only backfire.

The importance of understanding the new forms of warfare.

On the issue of strengthening BRICS cooperation on counter-terrorism and cybersecurity, Wang said that, at present, the world is witnessing a new wave of international terrorist activities. The root cause of this is the intensifying confrontation caused by unilateral actions and the increase in inter-civilisation and inter-religion tensions.

BRICS countries should jointly safeguard international rules in cyberspace, oppose the deliberate creation of division and confrontation, promote the signing and ratification of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime by all countries as soon as possible, and actively participate in the international alliance against telecom cyber fraud.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the delegates on the same day.

Speaking with Wang, Modi noted that both India and China are ancient civilisations with a history of friendly exchanges spanning several millennia, and for a long period the two countries held leading and influential positions in the world. Under the current circumstances, it is necessary for the two sides to carry forward their traditional friendship, maintain high-level exchanges, advance practical cooperation, and safeguard the common interests of Global South countries. The Indian side supports China in assuming the BRICS chairmanship next year and is ready to work with China to advance the BRICS cause.

Wang said that as the two largest developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and India should play an exemplary role in promoting unity and self-reliance among Global South countries. China will continue to support India in fulfilling its responsibilities as the rotating chair of the BRICS and work together to promote deeper and more substantive progress in BRICS cooperation.

The previous day, he met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Wang said that under the joint guidance of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China-India relations have gradually emerged from the low ebb and returned to the track of recovery and improvement. The two leaders agreed that China and India are partners, not rivals, which constitutes the most important strategic consensus between the two sides and provides strong impetus and strategic guarantee for the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations. As the world’s two most populous economies, China and India should not only view bilateral relations with a long-term perspective but also advance bilateral cooperation with a global vision. At present, the Global South, including China and India, is experiencing a collective rise. As the first echelon of the Global South, BRICS should actively champion and advance the process toward multipolarity, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and work for a more just and equitable international order.

Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, exchanges in various fields have gradually resumed, communication and cooperation are progressing in an orderly manner, and the border areas have remained generally peaceful. These outcomes are hard-won and should be doubly cherished. It is important to respect each other’s core interests, properly handle sensitive issues, and keep the China-India boundary question at an appropriate place in bilateral relations so as to prevent it from affecting the overall relationship.

Ajit Doval noted that through their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin, the leaders of India and China have charted the course for the development of bilateral relations, and agreed that India and China are partners, not rivals. They believe that a stable India-China relationship serves the common interests of both sides. India is ready to continue to view its relations with China from a strategic perspective, work with China to implement the common understandings of the two leaders, take a forward-looking approach in viewing and accelerating the development of bilateral relations, properly handle differences, and strive for win-win outcomes. India is one of the first countries to recognise the People’s Republic of China, and its position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged.

On June 23, Wang Yi met with Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Sergei Shoigu.

Wang Yi noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a successful state visit to China in May, during which the two heads of state had in-depth strategic communications. The two sides issued two joint statements: one sets out strategic plans and provides strong impetus for the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era; the other points out the future direction for the development of human society and clarifies the prospect of a multipolar world.

Sergei Shoigu said that facing the profound changes unseen in a century, Russia and China should deepen mutual trust, carry out close cooperation, jointly resist all kinds of interference and infiltration by external forces in the security field, and oppose Japan’s attempts at remilitarisation.

Meeting with Secretary General of the Egyptian National Security Council Youssef Alaa El-Deen on June 22, Wang Yi noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt, an important milestone for the bilateral relationship to carry forward past achievements and forge ahead into the future. He stated that the international landscape is undergoing profound and complex shifts. As important members of the Global South, China and Egypt share extensive common ground on international and regional affairs and shoulder important responsibilities for safeguarding global and regional stability. China is willing to step up coordination and collaboration with Egypt on multilateral platforms including the BRICS and the United Nations, jointly uphold the independence and self-reliance of the Global South and promote its unity and self-strengthening, actively advance the multipolarisation process, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Youssef Alaa El-Deen said that centering on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Egypt will boost high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the BRICS mechanism and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to deliver greater progress to bilateral ties.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Middle East situation. Youssef Alaa El-Deen briefed Wang Yi on the latest developments and mediation efforts by the Quartet including Egypt and spoke highly of China’s vital role in stopping the fighting and promoting peace. [Besides Egypt, the recently established ‘Regional Quartet’ includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.]

Wang said that the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran, which commits both sides to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from launching any military operations and avoid interfering in each other’s internal affairs, sends a positive signal to the world and should be jointly upheld and implemented. The negotiation process can hardly be smooth and may face various disruptions and even setbacks. Yet now that the door to peace has been opened, it must not be closed again.

The next day, Wang met with Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi.

Wang said that the US-Israeli war against Iran should never have happened and should be brought to an end as soon as possible. Recently the conflict has finally turned toward dialogue, but whether genuine peace can be achieved still requires the joint efforts of all parties. At the current stage, priority should be given to three things:

Uphold a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and effectively implement the memorandum of understanding just signed.

Resume normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible.

Draw lessons from the repeated turmoil in the Middle East, rebuild mutual trust among regional countries, and explore a new regional security architecture suited to the evolving situation.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation marks a quarter century

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its foundation on June 15.

Marking the occasion, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke at a Beijing reception.

Wang said that the founding of the SCO 25 years ago turned a new page in contemporary international relations. Over the past 25 years, member states have worked together in solidarity, upheld moral principles, pursued common development and engaged in mutual learning. They have nurtured the “Shanghai Spirit”, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development. The SCO has pioneered a new model of regional cooperation among neighbouring countries featuring partnership instead of alliance, under which all parties jointly safeguard security and stability and advance common development and prosperity.

Setting out some key tasks for the organisation in the coming period, he said:

We need to safeguard peace and tranquility: adding the need to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, and realise long-term stability in the region.
We need to advance sustainable development: including accelerating the preparation for the establishment of the SCO Development Bank.
We need to enhance good-neighbourly friendship and cooperation.

Secretary-General of the SCO Nurlan Yermekbayev noted in his speech that after 25 years of dedicated efforts, the SCO has entered its prime and grown into the world’s largest transregional international organisation. China Daily further reported him as noting the growing international interest in the organisation, saying that there are now about 20 applications from countries seeking to join the SCO in one capacity or another, which demonstrates the appeal of its values and principles.

Meanwhile Djoomart Otorbaev, a former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, the country that chairs the SCO this year, contributed an ‘op ed’ to China Daily, in which he noted:

“The 25th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on June 15 marks more than a symbolic milestone. Over the past 25 years, the SCO has evolved from a narrowly focused border-security mechanism into one of the largest transregional organisations in Eurasia and one of the central pillars of the emerging multipolar order.

“In a world marked by fragmented globalisation, sanctions, conflicts and institutional crises within the Western system, the SCO is increasingly establishing itself as a contributor to international cooperation, emphasising sovereignty, consensus and strategic pragmatism. The SCO is becoming a symbol of resistance against the unipolar development model some powers are desperate to impose on Eurasian countries.”

Today, he points out, the SCO includes 10 member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners:

“The organisation’s expanding geography reflects the growing demand for non-Western mechanisms of international coordination.

“The SCO’s scale is unprecedented. The combined territory of its member states exceeds 36 million square kilometres — more than 25 percent of the Earth’s land area. The total population of SCO countries has surpassed 3.4 billion, representing nearly half of the total world population. Economically, the organisation already constitutes one of the world’s principal centers of gravity, representing about a quarter of global GDP.”

China and Russia, he continues, “remain the primary engines of this process, but the rapid integration of Central Asian economies demonstrates the broader regional significance of the SCO framework. For smaller member states, the organisation has become economically indispensable. It is estimated that SCO countries account for approximately 75 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s trade turnover, 67 percent for Tajikistan and nearly half for Uzbekistan… One of the organisation’s most strategically significant trends has been the transition toward settlements in national currencies. In trade between key SCO countries, the share of transactions conducted in rubles, yuan, rupees and other national currencies has greatly increased, gradually reducing dependence on the US dollar and Western-controlled financial systems.”

Comparing the SCO to BRICS, Otorbaev writes:

“Unlike many informal geopolitical platforms, the SCO possesses a fully institutionalised structure. It functions as a formal international organisation with a charter, permanent bodies, an approved budget, a secretary-general and fixed headquarters in Beijing and Tashkent… This institutional depth sets the SCO apart from groups such as BRICS. While BRICS mainly serves as an informal platform of geopolitical dialogue without an official charter or permanent secretariat, the SCO is a formal Eurasian organisation with legal responsibilities and ongoing operations.”

He identifies three strategic priorities that will likely determine the SCO’s future trajectory:

Financial integration across SCO countries strengthens regional economic independence.
Transport integration would actively advance a unified Eurasian transport network.
The SCO brings together the world’s largest energy producers and key consumers. The SCO is progressively establishing the groundwork for a self-sufficient Asian energy market, complete with its own pricing structures and settlement systems.

He concludes: “Twenty-five years after its founding, the SCO is no longer merely a regional organisation. It is one of the institutional foundations of the new Eurasian century.”

Multi-party delegation from Türkiye visits China

A multi-party parliamentary delegation from Türkiye recently visited China and met with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), on June 11.

Liu said that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, China-Türkiye relations have maintained overall stability and kept forging ahead amid a fluid international environment. In recent years, the Belt and Road Initiative has aligned closely with Türkiye’s Middle Corridor Initiative. Bilateral cooperation has flourished in economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, digital economy and other sectors, while exchanges and collaboration in education, culture, arts, cultural relics, sports and other fields have deepened continuously, and people-to-people bonds are growing stronger through bilateral exchanges.

The Turkish side said that Türkiye and China are both nations with time-honoured histories and splendid civilisations, bound closely together by the ancient Silk Road. Speaking highly of the remarkable achievements China has made in economic growth, scientific and technological advancement, poverty alleviation and other areas under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the CPC, the Turkish side appreciates China’s correct stance on the Middle East issue. Türkiye is committed to promoting the long-term stable development of Türkiye-China relations, regards China as an important partner, believes that the Middle Corridor Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative are mutually supportive and complementary, and is confident that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will not only benefit itself but also contribute to the economic and technological development of other countries, including Türkiye.

The website of the IDCPC lists eight parties as being represented on the delegation. They include the ruling Justice and Development Party and representatives from across the political spectrum, including liberal, pro-European parties and conservative Islamic and nationalist parties. Significantly, the largely Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party and the Marxist Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) were also represented. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was not listed.

China issues detailed White Paper on global governance

China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper entitled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions” on June 17.

The paper presents a comprehensive exposition of China’s vision for reforming and improving global governance at a moment of profound global transformation. It underscores China’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism, fairness, and shared development, while calling on the international community to unite in building a more just and equitable global governance system. As the paper states, global governance “is a common endeavour that bears on the wellbeing of all humanity,” and the world must “uphold multilateralism, unite forces, and pursue a fair future.”

A World at a Crossroads

The white paper begins by assessing the severe and complex challenges confronting humanity. It notes that the world has entered “an era marked by profound change on a scale unseen in a century,” with geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and emerging security risks converging to create unprecedented uncertainty. Armed conflicts have surged, with the number of active conflicts in 2025 reaching the highest level since World War II. Economic globalisation faces headwinds as some countries pursue protectionism, unilateral sanctions, and technological containment, undermining global supply chains and widening the development gap.

The paper warns that unilateralism and hegemonism threaten the international rule of law, citing actions by “a certain major power” that has withdrawn from international agreements, obstructed multilateral institutions, and weaponised economic and technological issues. Such behaviour, it argues, undermines the UN-centred international system and destabilises global order. The document stresses that the world must choose between “fairness and justice, or the law of the jungle,” urging all nations to reject power politics.

At the same time, the rise of the Global South is reshaping global governance. Developing countries now account for over 60 percent of the world economy (in Purchasing Power Parity [PPP] terms) and contribute 80 percent of global growth. Mechanisms such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the G77 + China have become increasingly influential, reflecting the international community’s demand for greater representation, equity, and inclusiveness.

The Global Governance Initiative: China’s Answer to the Challenges of the Times

Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) in 2025, offering China’s systematic response to the question of what kind of global governance system the world needs and how to reform it. The GGI is grounded in five core concepts: sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and real actions.

Sovereign Equality

The white paper emphasises that sovereign equality is the cornerstone of international relations. All countries—large or small, rich or poor—must have equal rights to participate in global governance. Major powers, it stresses, must set an example by refraining from coercion and interference. Only through equality can nations build the political trust necessary for solidarity and cooperation.

International Rule of Law

The document calls for strict adherence to the UN Charter, noting that global instability stems not from the Charter being outdated but from its principles not being effectively implemented. International law must be applied universally rather than selectively. The paper warns that without the rule of law, “anyone at the dining table today could appear on the menu tomorrow.”

Multilateralism

True multilateralism—rooted in consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits—is described as the only viable path for humanity. The UN must remain the central platform for global governance, and multilateral mechanisms should be strengthened rather than weakened.

A People-Centred Approach

Global governance must serve the wellbeing of all peoples. Development should be restored to the centre of the international agenda, the North-South divide must be bridged, and global challenges such as climate change and public health must be addressed through cooperation.

Real Actions

The GGI stresses practical, results-oriented cooperation. It calls for coordinated progress across governance agendas, addressing both symptoms and root causes, and enhancing synergy between North-South and South-South cooperation.

China’s Contributions to Global Governance

The white paper devotes extensive attention to China’s concrete actions in promoting global peace, development, and cooperation.

Championing Universal and Common Security

China upholds a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. It fulfils its responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and is the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. More than 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers have served in 29 missions, and China maintains an 8,000-strong standby force.

China has played constructive roles in addressing international flashpoints:

Ukraine: China released its position paper on the political settlement of the crisis and, together with Brazil, launched the Group of Friends for Peace.

Palestine–Israel: China supported the first UN Security Council ceasefire resolution for Gaza since the outbreak of renewed conflict and facilitated Palestinian reconciliation efforts.

Middle East: China brokered the historic Saudi-Iran rapprochement and advanced regional peace initiatives.

Asia: China facilitated ceasefire agreements in northern Myanmar and contributed to resolving disputes in Southeast and South Asia.

China also leads global efforts against terrorism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, and cyber threats, and has taken pioneering steps such as scheduling the entire class of fentanyl-related substances.

Promoting Openness, Cooperation, and Shared Development

China stresses that its own development is inseparable from global development. It has become the main trading partner of over 160 countries and regions and continues to expand high-standard opening-up. The country has removed all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, shortened negative lists, and created major platforms such as the China International Import Expo.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has entered a new stage of high-quality development. China has signed cooperation documents with more than 150 countries, and the China-Europe Railway Express has surpassed 130,000 trips. Trade between China and BRI partners reached RMB 23.6 trillion in 2025.

The Global Development Initiative (GDI) has mobilised over US$23 billion in development funds, launched more than 1,800 projects, and trained 80,000 people, helping developing countries enhance their capacity for independent development.

Practicing True Multilateralism

China is the second-largest contributor to the UN regular budget and supports the UN in implementing the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative. It has helped establish new UN institutions in China and increased the presence of Chinese professionals in international organisations.

China also supports the International Organisation for Mediation (IoM), headquartered in Hong Kong, which provides a new mechanism for peaceful dispute resolution.

In the G20, China has championed development-centred cooperation and supported the African Union’s accession. In APEC, China promotes an Asia-Pacific community of shared future and will host the 2026 APEC meeting under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.”

Supporting the Global South

China positions itself as a natural member of the Global South and a steadfast partner in its development. It has advanced BRICS expansion, strengthened the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and supported reforms to increase developing countries’ representation in global financial and governance institutions.

China has elevated relations with Africa to an all-weather community of shared future, deepened cooperation with Arab states, expanded partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean, and supported Pacific Island countries through the “Four Fully Respects” principles.

Promoting Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilisations

Through the Global Civilisation Initiative, China advocates equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilisations. The UN General Assembly adopted China’s proposal to establish June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations. China has hosted major cultural forums, expanded cultural cooperation with over 100 countries, and promoted youth exchanges.

China also plays an active role in global human rights governance, emphasising development-based and cooperation-oriented approaches.

Providing Global Public Goods

China has taken the lead in climate governance, pledging to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. It has built the world’s largest renewable energy system and supplies 70 percent of global wind power equipment and 80 percent of photovoltaic panels.

China also advances global AI governance, supports WHO-centred global health cooperation, leads biodiversity protection through the Kunming-Montreal Framework, and promotes governance in cyberspace, oceans, and outer space.

Guiding the Direction of Change

The white paper argues that the GGI has gained broad support because it aligns with global trends toward multipolarity, inclusiveness, and multilateralism. China’s governance philosophy draws from the Communist Party of China’s global vision, China’s diplomatic traditions, and the heritage of Chinese civilisation, including ideals such as “great harmony under Heaven” and “the people are the foundation of the state.”

China’s four major global initiatives—Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative—together form a comprehensive framework for addressing development, security, cultural exchange, and governance challenges, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Moving Forward Together

The white paper concludes by calling on all countries to act in the long-term interests of humanity, rise to challenges with confidence, and unite in implementing the GGI. It stresses that global governance is a long-term endeavour requiring perseverance, solidarity, and concrete action. The UN must remain the core platform, and major countries must shoulder their responsibilities.

As the document states, “This is an era of challenges. But it is also one of hope.” China stands ready to work with all nations to let “the light of fairness and justice illuminate the world” and to build a brighter future for humanity.

Two roads for the world: notes from “Imperialism vs multipolarity” webinar

On 21 June, Friends of Socialist China and the International Manifesto Group co-hosted a webinar, “Imperialism vs multipolarity”, bringing together a distinguished international panel to discuss the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, the tariff and Iran wars, US military aggression across the Global South, and the emerging shape of the world order.

The discussion was moderated by Radhika Desai (Professor at the University of Manitoba and convenor of the International Manifesto Group), and brought together Ben Norton (founder and editor-in-chief of Geopolitical Economy Report); Cheng Enfu (President of the World Association for Political Economy), whose paper was presented by Professor Ding Xiaoqin; Ken Hammond (Professor of History at New Mexico State University and a founder of Pivot to Peace); Jacquie Luqman (coordinator with the Black Alliance for Peace); Mick Dunford (Emeritus Professor at the University of Sussex); Mike Klonsky (educator, author and veteran activist); Jenny Clegg (author of China’s Global Strategy: Towards a Multipolar World); and Carlos Martinez (co-editor of Friends of Socialist China).

The full livestream can be viewed at the end of this article, below our report of the discussion.

Xi Jinping: China’s policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing paid a state visit to China from June 15-19.

President Xi Jinping held talks with President Min Aung Hlaing on the morning of June 16.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Myanmar enjoy a deep pauk-phaw [brotherly] friendship. Over the 76 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, China and Myanmar have always stood together through thick and thin and helped each other and jointly advocated and practiced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting a fine example of state-to-state relations featuring equality and mutual benefit. China pursues a principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and places its relations with Myanmar in an important position of its neighbourhood diplomacy. China is committed to the principle of noninterference in internal affairs. Its policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar. China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports Myanmar’s new government in coordinating development and security and pursuing a right path of development that fits its national conditions and has the support of its people.

Xi added that the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is a flagship project of the Belt and Road cooperation. The two sides need to steadily advance the construction of major projects on the basis of ensuring safety and security, to support Myanmar in growing its economy and improving livelihoods. China stands ready to step up support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction, implement more “small and beautiful” assistance programs, and jointly tell the stories of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. The two sides need to continue cracking down on criminal activities including online gambling, telecom fraud and drug trafficking, and fully safeguard the interests and security of the two peoples. China supports various parties in Myanmar in pursuing peace and reconciliation through peace talks and realising lasting peace and security in northern Myanmar, which serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Myanmar and its people. [Myanmar is home to numerous ethnic armed organisations, some of which have concluded agreements with the union government or are engaged in a peace process. Particularly in the north of the country, China also maintains traditional ties with various organisations, including based on ethnic affinity as well as on their genesis in the Communist Party of Burma. Among the most significant of such organisations – all of which are aligned to political parties – are the United Wa State Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Army and the Shan State Army.]

President Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar and China share a long-standing pauk-phaw friendship. The two countries have always assisted and supported each other, upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and forged a strong good-neighbourly partnership, and are jointly moving toward a new phase of building a community with a shared future through thick and thin. Myanmar appreciates China’s long-standing selfless support for Myanmar’s development, stability, peace and reconciliation, and remains firmly committed to the one-China principle. The new government of Myanmar is making full efforts to advance domestic peace and development, and actively exploring a political system and development path suited to its national conditions. China’s implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan offers important opportunities for its Asian neighbours including Myanmar. Myanmar looks forward to strengthening all-round cooperation with China, jointly building the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, and elevating trade and investment. Myanmar stands ready to work closely with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecom fraud and safeguard security and stability in the border areas. Myanmar fully supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is ready to enhance multilateral communication and coordination with China.

Also on June 16, President Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Li said that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the steady progress of bilateral relations to better serve the modernisation drive of the two countries and jointly promote regional stability and prosperity. He pointed out that China is willing to deepen high-quality cooperation with Myanmar on jointly developing the Belt and Road Initiative, expand cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital economy, and continue to move forward hand in hand on the path of common development.

Min Aung Hlaing expressed gratitude to China for providing valuable assistance to Myanmar’s economic and social development, adding that Myanmar is willing to enhance strategic alignment with China, promote cooperation on the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, deepen cooperation in trade, investment and other fields, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and push the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Myanmar and China to a higher level.

The Myanmar president also met with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on the same day.

On June 17, the two countries released the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Accelerating the Building of a China-Myanmar Community with a Shared Future.

Its key points include:

Both sides emphasised that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 76 years ago, China and Myanmar have been sincere, mutually trusting, and supportive good neighbours, good friends, and good partners. China and Myanmar enjoy a longstanding friendship and close partnership. They have always adhered to equality and mutual benefit, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. In light of the profound changes taking place in the regional and international landscape, both sides agreed to uphold the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, further carry forward the China-Myanmar “pauk-phaw” friendship, deepen practical and mutual beneficial cooperation across various fields on the basis of equality, mutual respect, consultation, and shared benefit, and continue advancing the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and better benefit the people of both countries.
The Chinese side firmly supports the Myanmar side in following a development path that suits its national conditions and enjoys the support of its people, firmly supports the Myanmar side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity, and firmly supports the Myanmar side in realising national peace and stability, national reconciliation, social harmony and lasting peace.
The Myanmar side reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy, recognising that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Myanmar opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” will not conduct any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, and firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification, emphasising that the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is indisputable.
Both sides reaffirm that neither country will allow its territories to be used for activities detrimental to the other’s security interests.
Both sides attached importance and expressed readiness to finalise and sign the “Belt and Road” cooperation plan in a timely manner. The two sides agreed to promote the implementation of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and steadily promote cooperation on major corridor projects such as the Kyaukpyu Deep-Sea Port and the Muse-Mandalay Railway. These projects will be guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, commercial viability, financial sustainability, in full alignment with laws, regulations, and national conditions of both countries. Furthermore, both sides will leverage the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines, steadily advance power grid interconnection, and explore economically and environmentally sustainable energy partnerships. The Chinese side reiterated its willingness to provide ongoing development support for which the Myanmar side expressed gratitude.
The Chinese side actively supports Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction. On the basis of the emergency humanitarian disaster relief assistance previously provided, China is willing to further provide support within its capacity. The two sides will jointly promote the reconstruction of landmark projects such as the Aungsan Stadium in Yangon, deepen development cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, medical and healthcare services, and implement further community-focused human resources development, and explore more “small and beautiful” livelihood assistance projects.
The Chinese side supports the Myanmar side in advancing its domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue. The Myanmar side appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in this regard, particularly in facilitating peace talks in northern Myanmar. Both sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination to maintain peace and stability and common development along their shared border areas.
The two sides agreed to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations founded on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides are committed to promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. Both sides oppose all forms of unilateralism, protectionism and oppose practices that undermine regional peace and stability, such as the creation of exclusive “small circles”, the instigation of bloc confrontation, and the return of militarism and other practices that endanger regional peace and stability, and will firmly uphold the victory of World War II and the post-war international order. The two sides emphasise the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, as well as advocate for dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, and underscore the need to avoid actions that may intensify tensions among countries.
The Chinese side appreciates Myanmar’s joining of the “Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative”. Both sides are ready to deepen cooperation under the Global Development Initiative framework to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China appreciates Myanmar’s joining of the Group of Friends of Global Governance and the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
The Myanmar side welcomes China’s initiative to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) to ensure AI development serves the common benefit. The Chinese side welcomes the Myanmar side’s positive consideration to join the WAICO to jointly promote global governance and international cooperation on AI.
Both sides agreed to strengthen China-ASEAN cooperation, working together to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, and strive to promote a higher level of regional economic integration and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future based on equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to promoting peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region, advancing regional economic integration, narrowing development gaps, and contributing to an open and inclusive region.

Wang Yi visits Mongolia: A close neighbour is better than a distant relative

At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi visited Mongolia from June 13 to 15.

Soon after his arrival in the capital Ulan Bator, Wang Yi met with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.

Khurelsukh Ukhnaa said that he is deeply honoured to have built a profound friendship and mutual trust with President Xi Jinping, maintaining close communication and jointly steering the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The Mongolia-China relationship has become a model for inter-state relations in the region. The two sides have always understood and trusted each other, respected each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity while deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors, and the bilateral trade is expected to reach $20 billion this year. The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping have played a vital role in safeguarding world peace and stability, serving the interests of people around the globe. Mongolia actively supports these major concepts and initiatives put forward by President Xi and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China in regional and international affairs to jointly implement them.

Wang Yi stated that China and Mongolia, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, are permanent neighbours and comprehensive strategic partners. China has always put China-Mongolia relations at an important place in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and it has both the will and the capability to be a neighbour that Mongolia can rely on, a trustworthy friend, and a partner in accelerating its development. China respects Mongolia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the development path that Mongolia has chosen for itself. A close neighbour is better than a distant relative. China appreciates Mongolia’s decision to make developing ties with China the top priority of its foreign policy, which fully serves the fundamental interests of the Mongolian state and its people. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with Mongolia on multilateral platforms such as the trilateral cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Together with other Global South countries, the two sides strive for self-strengthening through unity and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Wang Yi met with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral on June 15.

Nyam-Osor Uchral stated that Mongolia and China have consistently respected each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and chosen paths of development. Mongolia firmly adheres to the one-China principle. He expressed the hope that both sides would introduce additional measures to facilitate trade, diversify trade structures, strengthen connectivity through infrastructure projects such as ports and railways, and expand cooperation in the mining sector.

Wang Yi stated that good-neighbourly friendship, solidarity, cooperation, and working together to create a better future represent the only correct choice for both sides. China highly appreciates Mongolia’s commitment to prioritising relations with China in its foreign policy and its support for China’s legitimate positions on issues concerning its core interests. Having both celebrated their centenary anniversaries, the Communist Party of China and the Mongolian People’s Party could further enhance exchanges on governance and development experience, thereby contributing to national development, improving people’s livelihoods, and deepening the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Wang Yi added that development and national revitalisation are shared goals of both China and Mongolia, while stronger cooperation reflects the common aspirations of both peoples. The two economies are highly complementary with mutual needs, presenting vast space for cooperation. China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mongolia, jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and support Mongolia in making full use of three major engines for development, including bilateral cooperation mechanisms, China-Mongolia-Russia cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in pursuing a modernisation path suited to its national conditions.

Wang Yi held talks with his Mongolian counterpart Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg on June 13.

Wang said that China has always upheld the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal. Guided by the Principle of Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit and Inclusiveness in Neighbourhood Diplomacy, as well as the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbours, China attaches high importance to ties with Mongolia in its neighbourhood diplomacy and actively promotes good-neighbourliness and friendly cooperation between the two countries. The China-Mongolia Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation explicitly stipulates that both sides will adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and not allow any third country to use its territory to undermine the sovereignty and security of the other. This serves as an important safeguard for the sound development of bilateral relations.

He added that as fellow developing countries, China and Mongolia share broad common interests and similar policy stances on international and regional affairs. China supports Mongolia in continuing to make positive contributions to regional peace and development and welcomes its efforts to gain more growth drivers through bilateral cooperation, the trilateral cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In the face of rampant unilateralism and rising protectionism, China has consistently advocated and practiced multilateralism and supports the United Nations in playing a central and leading role in international affairs. China stands ready to work with all countries, including Mongolia, to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Batmunkh Battsetseg said that Mongolia-China relations have reached a high level of comprehensive strategic partnership. Cooperation across various sectors is thriving, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. The two sides have always respected and trusted each other, engaging in equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, making their relationship an exemplary model among neighbouring countries. On all issues concerning China’s core interests, the Mongolian side understands and supports China’s position.

Mongolia attaches great importance to China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and looks forward to strengthening the alignment of development strategies with China. Mongolia hopes to expand trade and investment, enhance connectivity, and deepen cooperation in areas such as critical minerals and ecological governance. Mongolia values multilateral mechanisms including the trilateral cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia, the SCO, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and it stands ready to play a greater role in regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Last month, during its rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, China convened a high-level meeting and put forward important proposals on reinvigorating the UN and reforming and improving global governance. Mongolia highly commends these initiatives and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China to jointly uphold multilateralism and safeguard the U.N.-centred international system.

The two foreign ministers also held a joint press conference.

Both sides stated that, in the face of a volatile international landscape and increasingly prominent global challenges, China and Mongolia should stand together through thick and thin, unite as one, and firmly remain good neighbours and partners built on mutual trust and support. The two sides should continue to work hand in hand towards building a China-Mongolia community with a shared future characterised by peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation.

Wang Yi noted that good neighbours should visit each other frequently, and good partners should offer mutual assistance. The Chinese side supports Mongolia in developing its economy and improving people’s livelihoods and welcomes Mongolia to ride on the express train of China’s development. According to international institutions, every one-percentage-point increase in China’s economic growth contributes to a four percent increase in Mongolia’s exports and a 0.6 percent increase in Mongolia’s economic growth, which demonstrates the strong complementarity and close economic ties between the two countries. The second cross-border railway linking China and Mongolia is currently under construction and is expected to become another major corridor for connectivity between the two countries. China remains a trustworthy and reliable partner for Mongolia and will continue to extend support whenever Mongolia needs it most. To help Mongolia cope with the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the Chinese side has decided to urgently supply one million doses of vaccines to the Mongolian side. Furthermore, the China-aided shantytown renovation project in Mongolia has been completed and handed over. Positive progress has also been made in projects closely related to the Mongolian people’s well-being, such as the China-Mongolia Heads of State Sports Centre and the Erdeneburen hydropower plant. Wang Yi said that during this visit to Mongolia he would also have the opportunity to attend the completion ceremony of the Ulan Bator Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will help ensure safe water access for the citizens of Ulan Bator.

Modernisation, he added, is a shared objective for both China and Mongolia. The two sides will focus on the present while looking to the long term, promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Mongolia’s Steppe Road development strategy, deepen exchanges on governance experience, explore opportunities for cooperation in emerging sectors, and jointly pursue modernisation paths suited to their respective national conditions.

Wang Yi added that both China and Mongolia are constructive forces for global peace, stability, and development. The two countries are willing to strengthen coordination in regional and international affairs and work together to safeguard the common interests of developing nations. China welcomes Mongolia’s active role in international and regional affairs and supports its hosting of the 17th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to be held in August this year.

The two sides also agreed to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguard the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose all forms of fascism and militarism, and reject any words or actions that seek to distort or reverse the course of history. In addition, both countries agreed to enhance coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to jointly promote regional stability, development, and cooperation.

In a joint press communique both sides further reaffirmed that they will not join any military or political alliance directed against the other, will not conclude treaties with any third country that undermine the sovereignty and security of the other, and will not allow any third country to use their territory to harm the sovereignty and security of the other.

They agreed to strengthen alignment of their development strategies, advance projects under the frameworks of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and Mongolia’s Steppe Road Program, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors, and further enhance the scale, quality, and level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

China highly appreciated Mongolia’s role in hosting the Ulan Bator Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security in June.

The two sides agreed to oppose and condemn all forms of fascism and militarism, jointly safeguard world peace and security, and uphold international fairness and justice. They spoke highly of the achievements of trilateral cooperation among China, Mongolia, and Russia, expressing their firm belief that the implementation of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor plan plays an important role in promoting regional prosperity and stability.

The two sides also emphasised that the growing political and economic influence of multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), APEC, and BRICS has contributed significantly to advancing regional cooperation.

Danny Haiphong: There is reason to hope

The following article by Danny Haiphong – journalist, broadcaster and a co-founder of Friends of Socialist China – argues that, against the nihilism and pessimism spreading through the West, geopolitics and political economy offer genuine grounds for optimism. He frames US unipolar imperialism (less than a century old) and Western colonialism (about four centuries old) as brief blips in human history, met throughout by constant resistance – from Maroon societies to twentieth-century liberation movements.

The US empire, Danny contends, is in material decline: its share of global GDP has fallen from 35–50 percent in 1945 to 20–25 percent now, while manufacturing has shrunk to under 10 percent of the economy, leaving it dominated by finance, insurance, real estate and military contracting. Endless war is therefore a symptom of weakness, not strength – the warmongers can only destroy, not build.

A multipolar reality is emerging. China is the article’s prime example: from being one of the poorest countries in the world at the time of the founding of the People’s Republic, it has managed to eliminate extreme poverty and become a leader in robotics, AI, high-speed rail, renewables and reforestation, with over 90 percent public trust in government grounded in results. Danny extends the case to a resurgent, sanctions-proof Russia; to Iran, whose retaliation against US–Israeli strikes and control over the Strait of Hormuz have significantly increased its global standing; and to smaller states defying sanctions – the DPRK’s construction boom, Zimbabwe’s recovery from the crippling sanctions imposed by the west to punish the country for land reform, and Cuba’s healthcare achievements despite blockade.

Danny concludes:

The sociopathic rulers of US empire (what some have deemed the Epstein class) are committed to taking everyone down with their collapsing system of empire and neoliberal capitalism. Endless war and theft masquerading as economics is the only path left in front of them. US-Israeli genocide in Palestine and Lebanon, not to mention the dozens of other deadly wars and the imposition of abject poverty for more than half the planet to enrich just eight ultra-rich individuals, understandably fuel despair and disgust amongst those in the collective West who detest this reality. But there is reason to hope. We can find it in the billions of people struggling to build a better world.

Webinar: Imperialism vs multipolarity – The US and China’s clashing visions of the international order (21 June)

📆 Sunday 21 June 2026, 2pm Britain, 9am US Eastern, 9pm China

A discussion of the Trump-Xi summit, the tariff war, US military aggression across the Global South, and the prospects for the world to come.

When Donald Trump arrived in Beijing in May for talks with President Xi Jinping – the first visit by a US president in nine years – the observant could detect a major shift in the international order. Successive US administrations’ increasingly desperate efforts to maintain dominance – through tariffs, sanctions, military aggression and technology warfare – have been failing as China’s economic might and diplomatic influence have grown. The trip Trump had hoped to make in triumph had to be made amid the disaster of his failing war on Iran, on top of the earlier failure of his tariff war against China.

Rather than projecting power, Trump was left with no alternative but to treat China as a peer. China now accounts for roughly 30 percent of global manufacturing output; the Belt and Road Initiative spans continents; and a growing majority of the world’s people are orientating away from US hegemonism and towards a pluripolar future. Xi’s quietly confident offer of “a new paradigm of major-country relations” and a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” went largely unchallenged.

Trump will undoubtedly flail against this new reality, and that flailing will bring further misery to the world. But there are signs that a critical corner is being turned in the journey towards a multipolar world order based on sovereignty, development and peace.

Join our panel of analysts, activists and scholars for a wide-ranging discussion of the Trump-Xi summit and its aftermath, the tariff war, US military aggression across the Global South, and the prospects for the world to come.

This webinar is organised by Friends of Socialist China and the International Manifesto Group.

Confirmed speakers

Cheng Enfu (President of the World Association for Political Economy)
Ben Norton (Founder and editor-in-chief, Geopolitical Economy Report)
Carlos Martinez (Co-editor, Friends of Socialist China)
Jacquie Luqman (Black Alliance for Peace)
Jenny Clegg (Author and peace campaigner)
Ken Hammond (Professor of History, New Mexico State University; Pivot to Peace)
Mick Dunford (Emeritus Professor, University of Sussex)
Mike Klonsky (Educator, author and activist)
Moderator: Radhika Desai (Convenor, International Manifesto Group)

Complete success of Xi Jinping’s visit takes relations with DPRK to new height

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of the People’s Republic of China, paid a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), from June 8-9 at the invitation of his DPRK counterpart Kim Jong Un.

Xi Jinping, together with his wife Peng Liyuan and his delegation, arrived at Pyongyang’s Sunan Airport at around noon where they were greeted by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that:

“The historic Pyongyang meeting between the top leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China was arranged again at a time when the traditional DPRK-China friendship, forged in the long journey for independence against imperialism, peace and the accomplishment of the socialist cause, weathering all hardships of the times, is being developed at a new strategic level.

“Comrade Xi Jinping’s visit to the DPRK in the significant year marking the 65th anniversary of the conclusion of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance serves as the important and meaningful one in developing the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations, the strategic option and valuable common asset of the two parties and the peoples of the two countries.”

A welcoming ceremony for the Chinese leader was held in Kim Il Sung Square in the heart of the DPRK capital.

As Xi Jinping and his wife arrived by car, a cavalry escort lined up to welcome them while the military band played welcoming tunes. Kim Jong Un and his wife greeted Xi Jinping and his wife at the square. Xi Jinping and his wife, along with Kim Jong Un and his wife, shook hands with their respective accompanying personnel. The top leaders of the two parties and two countries jointly ascended the review stand as the military bands played the national anthems of China and the DPRK, with a 21-gun salute. Accompanied by Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping inspected the honour guard of the three services of the Korean People’s Army. Guardsmen shouted in Korean, “Wish Comrade Xi Jinping good health”. Afterward, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un watched the march-past together.

En route from the airport to Kim Il Sung Square and then from Kim Il Sung Square to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse, where Xi Jinping stayed during his visit, people of the DPRK lined both sides of the streets, waving to welcome Xi’s arrival.

The two leaders held talks during the afternoon.

Xi Jinping noted that after seven years, he is very pleased to once again visit the beautiful city of Pyongyang and feels especially warm and familiar. He expressed his readiness to work with Comrade General Secretary to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen top-level planning and strategic guidance for China-DPRK relations in the new era, promote bilateral relations advancing with the times and achieving greater progress, so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples, and make positive contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world.

Xi stressed that China and the DPRK are both socialist countries led by communist parties. The traditional friendship between the two countries is rooted in their shared ideals and beliefs as well as their common goals, and is backed by a profound historical foundation, a solid political basis and strong emotional bonds. Friendship passed down from generation to generation, a shared future and mutual support have always been the defining features of China-DPRK relations. No matter how the international situation changes, the Chinese party and government’s firm stance on highly valuing China-DPRK traditional friendship will not change, the firm support for General Secretary Kim Jong Un in leading the DPRK’s socialist cause will not change, and the firm commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of the two countries and preserving a favorable strategic environment will not change.

Xi Jinping pointed out that, in the face of the profound changes unseen in a century that are accelerating across the world, the two sides should take a broad and long-term view, build on past achievements and open up a new future, draw wisdom from the development process of the relations between the two parties and the two countries, seize opportunities in the prevailing trend of human history, inject new contemporary connotations and strong impetus into the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, and open up a brighter prospect for the socialist cause of the two countries as well as regional peace and development.

Xi Jinping: The shared socialist ideal is the defining character of China-DPRK relations

Immediately prior to his arrival in the DPRK capital Pyongyang, Rodong Sinmun (Workers’ Newspaper), the central organ of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), published a signed article by Xi Jinping, entitled, ‘Carrying Forward the Past and Opening the Future, Forging Ahead Together – Writing a New Chapter in the Traditional China-DPRK Friendship’.

In the article, Xi states: “China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbours that watch over and help each other and share a common destiny. The traditional China-DPRK friendship is the shared precious treasure of the two parties, the two countries, and the people of the two countries. No matter how the times change or how the international situation shifts, the traditional China-DPRK friendship has always been unbreakable and grows stronger over time… Historically, the older generation of leaders of China and the DPRK knew one another intimately and were as close as can be. In recent years, I have met with General Secretary Kim Jong Un six times, maintained close strategic communication, and jointly drawn up the blueprint for the development of China-DPRK relations.”

He adds: “The shared socialist ideal is the defining character of China-DPRK relations. The Communist Party of China and the Workers’ Party of Korea are both Marxist ruling parties, and China and the DPRK are fellow travellers on the socialist road… The traditional friendship of shared destiny is the deep foundation of China-DPRK relations. In the turbulent years of fighting for national independence and national liberation, the people of China and the DPRK shared weal and woe, depended on each other in life and death, and forged a great fighting friendship with their blood. In the development of each country’s socialist cause, the two peoples have stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing comforts and hardships, vividly embodying the comradely friendship of mutual trust, solidarity, and mutual aid.”

Noting that, “in recent years, in the face of accelerating once-in-a-century changes in the world and an international situation entangled by change and turbulence, China and the DPRK have insisted on concentrating their energies on managing their own affairs well, forging ahead and striving unremittingly on the socialist road,” Xi draws attention to the important political events in the two countries this year, noting the commencement of China’s 15th Five Year Plan and the Workers’ Party of Korea’s convening of its ninth congress.

Looking forward, he suggests that China and the DPRK should:

Deepen strategic communication and firmly grasp the correct direction for the development of China-DPRK relations. “We must maintain the fine tradition of high-level exchanges between the two parties and two countries, visiting often and meeting each other like relatives.”
Strengthen exchanges and mutual learning and jointly push forward the steady and sustained advance of the two countries’ socialist cause. “We must hold firm to the path and be unchanged in our resolve, support each other in walking the socialist road that suits our own national conditions… firmly safeguard the political security of both countries… and lead the socialist cause of the two countries to keep moving from one victory to the next.”
Strengthen the alignment of the two countries’ development strategies, tap cooperation potential in all fields, share opportunities, and jointly promote development, so as to better benefit the people of both countries. “Through flexible and varied forms, we must keep friendly exchanges active, deepen mutual understanding, tighten emotional bonds, and pass the baton of China-DPRK friendship from generation to generation.”
Oppose hegemonism and power politics and oppose all schemes and acts that seek to revive militarism and that endanger regional security and stability… and join hands to push forward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

In conclusion, Xi states that, “We stand ready to forge ahead and write a new chapter together with our DPRK comrades, so that the traditional China-DPRK friendship will shine with an even more brilliant contemporary lustre and make a greater contribution to promoting peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and indeed across the world.”

Also on June 8, Rodong Sinmun carried an editorial welcoming the “goodwill mission of the Chinese people” headed by Xi.

It says that the visit, “serves as support and encouragement to our Party and people in the struggle for the comprehensive development of socialism.”

It writes that the relations between the DPRK and China, “are the invincible friendly relations closely united with comradely friendship and bloody ties in the protracted struggle to oppose foreign aggressors and build socialism.

“True to the intention of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung, the Korean revolutionaries helped the Chinese revolution with blood in the arduous anti-Japanese struggle. The Chinese people, too, regarded the Korean revolutionaries fighting for the national liberation as their own flesh and blood and rendered material and moral assistance to the Korean people in their struggle.

“The brilliant victories won by the Chinese people in the arduous revolutionary civil war and by the Korean people in the fierce Fatherland Liberation War would have been unthinkable without the fraternal friendship and class ties which have been steadily carried forward and consolidated between the revolutionaries, service personnel and peoples of the two countries.”

It concludes by stating that: “The Korean people sincerely hope that the Chinese people will achieve greater successes in the struggle for comprehensively building a modern and powerful socialist country, rallied close around the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, and firmly defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests for development.

“We will, in the future, too, join hands with the Chinese comrades on the road of advancing the socialist cause and defending peace and security in the region and the rest of the world.”

Lao leader: China is the leading banner for socialism and the Global South

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) Thongloun Sisoulith paid a state visit to China from June 2-6 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Sisoulith began his visit in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province.

On the afternoon of June 5, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping held talks with Sisoulith at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry report, Xi Jinping once again congratulated Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos. Xi noted that China has always regarded Laos as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, firmly supports Laos in pursuing a socialist path suited to its own national conditions, and stands ready to work with the Lao side to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance solidarity and coordination. China is willing to work with Laos to achieve a new leap in bilateral ties and build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.

Xi Jinping put forward four points for advancing China-Laos relations and building a higher-standard, higher-quality and higher-level bilateral community with a shared future:

Keep to the socialist path. The two sides should jointly safeguard the socialist system and the leadership of communist parties, maintain close strategic communication, implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties and deepen exchanges on governance experience.
Consolidate the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation. China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Laos and foster new growth drivers for cooperation. The two countries should capitalise on the advantages of the China-Laos Railway as a golden transport corridor. They should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture and electricity while expanding collaboration in emerging areas including artificial intelligence and the digital economy, and China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Laos.
Strengthen traditional friendship between the two peoples. Taking the Year of China-Laos Friendship as an opportunity, the two sides should expand cooperation in culture, education, health care and local exchanges, make good use of their shared revolutionary heritage, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Improve coordination on foreign policies. China appreciates Laos for adhering to the one-China principle, supporting the four major global initiatives, taking an active part in the Belt and Road cooperation, as well as firmly supporting China’s core interests and major concerns. China looks forward to Laos playing a greater role in regional and international affairs. The two sides should strengthen multilateral coordination and safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

Thongloun Sisoulith stated this visit carries great significance, as it is his first official overseas visit since his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos, which also falls on the 65th anniversary of bilateral ties and the Year of Laos-China Friendship. The Lao side expresses sincere gratitude for China’s long-standing support and assistance to Laos.

China now stands as the leading banner for the socialist system and developing countries, and a mainstay in safeguarding world peace and promoting the building of a multipolar world. China’s development has provided valuable experience for the vast number of developing countries, including Laos.

After the talks, the two sides jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering areas such as inter-party exchanges, people’s wellbeing, finance, customs, trade, youth exchanges and media.

The KPL Lao News Agency also carried a report of the meeting.

The Lao leader also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the same day.

Li said that China is willing to enhance strategic communication and close collaboration with Laos and promote the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Li said China and Laos have always relied on each other and offered mutual assistance over the years. Especially in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, China-Laos relations have ushered in the best period in history.

He added that China is willing to enhance the alignment of development strategies with Laos and fully unleash the positive effects of China’s zero-tariff policy. China will continue to scale up bilateral trade, further advance cooperation on the China-Laos railway, accelerate the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and expand cooperation in energy and mineral resources, artificial intelligence, the digital economy and other fields to deliver more practical results.

Thongloun expressed gratitude to China for the valuable support and assistance it has provided over a long period of time, adding that Laos will firmly adhere to the one-China principle and firmly support China’s core interests on issues such as Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

The Lao News Agency added that both sides welcomed the growing cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and connectivity, including the recent inauguration of the 500-kilovolt Laos-China power transmission line.

Thongloun Sisoulith also met with Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

During his visit to Zhejiang prior to his arrival in Beijing, Sisoulith visited Yucun Village in Anji County. This is where President Xi Jinping first advanced the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” in August 2005. (An article reproduced below provides detailed background on this.)

Prior to his high-level meetings in Beijing, on June 4, Sisoulith visited the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China as well as the Beijing Aerospace City, where he was briefed on China’s latest achievements in aerospace science and technology.

He also met with former Chinese ambassadors and Chinese volunteer veterans who supported Laos during its national liberation struggle and participated in road construction projects in northern Laos during the 1960s and 1970s. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Lao leader to express appreciation for their contributions to the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Laos and China.

In a special article written for the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations, Thongloun Sisoulith wrote that: “Regardless of how the international landscape has evolved, the Laos-China friendship has remained steadfast, resilient, and ever stronger, demonstrating the ideological values, and the remarkably stable and vibrant strategic cooperation that characterise the Laos-China relations.

“Guided by the spirit of the ‘Four Goods’, namely good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners, our two countries elevated relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2009. This important milestone laid a solid political foundation conducive to expanding cooperation across all fields. In 2017, our two Parties and States further enhanced cooperation and established the Laos-China Community of Shared Future, opening a new chapter of deeper solidarity, greater mutual trust and closer strategic coordination.

“Today, the Laos-China relationship stands at its highest point in history, serving as a model of equality, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation…

“The Lao PDR reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closely cooperate with the People’s Republic of China, in supporting efforts to coordinate comprehensive joint development strategies, advance mutual development, deepen reform, and broaden international cooperation, and jointly pursuing the path of socialist development in accordance with the respective national conditions.”

On June 4, China’s People’s Daily released a video highlighting the deep friendly ties between China and Laos, told largely through the eyes of successive generations of the Lao Pholsena family, who have long maintained a personal friendship with Xi Jinping, since the children of the family studied at Beijing Bayi School in the 1960s, where they came to know and befriend their schoolmate Xi, inaugurating a friendship that has lasted for over half a century.

Wang Yi sets out China’s global vision at UN

China held the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in May, 2026. In that capacity, it called a high-level meeting on May 26. The theme of this meeting was ‘Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System’. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, travelled to New York to chair the meeting. He also attended the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York on May 28 and held a considerable number of bilateral meetings, particularly with his counterparts who had also travelled to New York to attend the meetings. Prior to returning home, Wang also visited Canada, May 28-30.

In his remarks to the high-level meeting held on May 26, Wang Yi said that the international situation is undergoing the most complex and profound changes since the end of World War II. The giant ship of human civilisation is sailing into dangerous waters, and world peace and development are at a crossroads. The challenges confronting us are testing the international community’s commitment to safeguarding peace, its resolve to stand up for justice, and its courage to make bold reforms. Members must stand united and act together to defend, revitalise and strengthen the UN.

He advanced a number of proposals in this regard:

Reinvigorating the UN Charter for stronger leadership. The root cause of the chaos in today’s world is not that the Charter’s spirit is outdated, but that the international order and the basic norms governing international relations, both set out in the Charter, are not being effectively upheld and observed. Members must uphold sovereign equality, oppose interference in internal affairs; uphold the peaceful settlement of disputes, oppose the use of force; uphold the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose glorifying the history of aggression. Major countries, in particular, have the responsibility to lead by example in following the rule of law and the right path, and should not practice double standards, exceptionalism or selective application.
Reinvigorating the authority of the Security Council for greater ability to act. What comes with Security Council membership is not privileges, but responsibilities. Members should rise above the narrow national interests and use international public goods responsibly. Any unilateral military action that circumvents the Council’s mandate is unacceptable, and any unilateral sanction that exceeds the Council’s resolutions lacks legitimacy.
Reinvigorating global development cooperation for stronger mobilisation. As the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is woefully behind schedule, the UN needs to vigorously coordinate global actions and fully mobilise global resources. It is important to solidify the pillar of development, strengthen the development system, provide countries of the Global South with more funding, technological and intellectual support in key areas such as poverty reduction, and urge developed countries to deliver on their development financing pledges. It is imperative to earnestly increase the representation and say of developing countries at the IMF and the World Bank. China supports the UN in strengthening dialogue with BRICS countries, the G20, the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for a universally beneficial and balanced global economic and financial governance system.
Reinvigorating the global governance platform for stronger execution capacity. Faced with emerging threats and challenges, no country can stay unaffected. A united response is the only way forward. Members should strengthen the sense of a community with a shared future for humanity, replace coercion with consultation, zero-sum with win-win, and small circles with greater unity.
Reinvigorating the effectiveness of the UN system for stronger vitality. Member states should fulfill their financial obligations with real actions, support the UN in performing its mandate, and steadily contribute to the cause of the UN, rather than willfully withdraw from treaties and organisations, still less establish alternatives.

Wang Yi stressed that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the UN. For 55 years, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has taken an active part in the UN cause. From this historic point onward, China will continue to uphold principles and follow the path of justice. Together with all countries, China will pursue greater unity under the banner of multilateralism, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Following the meeting Wang Yi briefed the press.

He explained that the meeting was proposed by China in its capacity as the rotating President of the Security Council. He pointed out that in recent times, the purposes of the UN Charter have been disregarded, the basic norms governing international relations have been undermined, and world peace and security are in jeopardy. At this critical juncture, the Security Council must step forward and shoulder its responsibilities.

It was widely agreed that the UN Charter has not become outdated and remains the cornerstone of the international order. The centrality of the UN must be strengthened, not weakened. As none of us wants to see international relations slide back to the law of the jungle, we need to uphold the same system, the U.N.-centered international system, and observe the same set of rules – the basic norms governing international relations based on the Charter.

It was also widely agreed that the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable, and that the domination of international affairs by one or a few countries no longer corresponds to the trend of the times. We should firmly follow the path of multilateralism, do our utmost to safeguard unity, oppose division, seek cooperation, reject confrontation, and jointly inject much-needed stability and certainty into the world.

The view that current global governance has visibly fallen behind and needs to be reformed and improved in keeping with the times was also widely shared. Global governance should reflect the aspirations of all countries in a more balanced way and ensure equal participation and shared benefits for all. In particular, it is important to increase the representation and voice of the Global South and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system.

Wang also pointed out that to reinvigorate the UN, the Security Council must first be reinvigorated. To achieve this goal, he stressed the following:

All Security Council members must regard the maintenance of peace as their shared responsibility, observe the Charter, uphold justice, refrain from pursuing narrow self-interest, and avoid bloc confrontation.
The representation and voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized states should be increased through reform, in particular by addressing the historical injustice faced by Africa.
The objectivity, fairness, and inclusiveness of Security Council proposals should be enhanced, and the five permanent members, in particular, should play an exemplary role in this regard.
The international community should jointly oppose all unilateral acts that bypass the Security Council, so that unilateral bullying finds no support and no legitimacy.

In his keynote speech to the May 28 meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, Wang Yi said that the current international situation is marked by intertwined changes and turbulence. Countries are calling for fairness and justice, longing for solidarity and cooperation, and aspiring to peace and stability. Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative last September, emphasising five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centred approach, and real actions. In less than a year, the initiative has received support and response from nearly 160 countries and international organisations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance has been successively established in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with membership reaching over 60 countries. Guided by the spirit of equality and mutual respect, members have held extensive discussions and reached consensus on five key points including advancing greater democracy in international relations, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, narrowing the North-South divide, and addressing the most pressing challenges.

He stressed that reforming and improving global governance is a historic mission for this generation and said that China proposes the following nine reform directions:

Promoting UN reform for greater efficiency. The purpose of reform is to enhance the United Nations, not weaken it. UN reform should be led by member states and carried out in a fair, inclusive and transparent manner. Member states should be urged to fulfill their financial obligations, and budget management and fiscal accountability should be strengthened.
Enhancing the authority and capacity of the Security Council. The voice of developing countries and the vast number of small and medium-sized countries should be strengthened, and the historical injustice faced by Africa should be addressed as a priority. Unilateral actions and sanctions that bypass the Security Council should be opposed.
Adapting peacekeeping operations to the demands of the times. The three principles of peacekeeping should be upheld and improved, and peacekeeping operations should be better mandated and empowered. The United Nations should be supported in strengthening coordination with regional organisations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so as to build a combined force for mediation on regional hotspot issues.
Building international consensus on accelerating development. Development should be pushed back to the centre of the UN agenda, and the post-2030 development agenda should be planned ahead. Developed countries should fulfill their commitments on development financing. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be upheld, and a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system should be built.
Steering global human rights governance in the right direction. The one-sided approach of placing human rights above sovereignty should be abandoned, and it should be made clear that it is the people of each country who judge and improve their own human rights.
Deepening reform of the economic and financial system. The shareholding review of the World Bank should be accelerated, and a meaningful adjustment of IMF quota shares should be achieved as soon as possible. The dispute settlement mechanism should be restored to normal operation, and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules should be updated to keep pace with the times.
Establishing rules for artificial intelligence (AI) governance. A people-centred and AI-for-good approach should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in playing its role as the main channel. The digital divide should be prevented from widening, and guardrails should be set for military applications and governance of AI.
Strengthening governance in emerging domains such as cyberspace and outer space. The four principles of respecting cyber sovereignty, maintaining peace and security, promoting open cooperation and building good order should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in advancing global cyberspace and digital governance. Outer space should be used for peaceful purposes.
Promoting exchanges among civilisations and achieving inclusive mutual learning.

The meeting reached consensus on five key points:

All members support the democratisation of international relations. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have the right to choose their own social systems and development paths, and to participate, decide and benefit equally in global governance.
All members call for upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, ensuring the equal application of international law and international rules, and opposing double standards and coercion.
All members support safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, practicing multilateralism, strengthening multilateral mechanisms, and opposing unilateralism and power politics.
All members support reforming and improving global governance and narrowing the North-South divide to ensure that all countries share the benefits of development and that no country is left behind.
All members call for addressing the most pressing challenges facing the international community through concrete actions and practical results to ensure global governance meets the needs of the times and the people.

Socialist and anti-colonial movements laid groundwork for multipolarity

The following article, by Gregory E. Williams, argues that we can’t understand multipolarity through an international relations or geopolitics lens alone; it is primarily a class question.

The post-1991 “unipolar moment” wasn’t simply the absence of a rival superpower. It was a counter-revolutionary opening for the global capitalist class – Wall Street ascendant, the IMF and World Bank disciplining the Global South, Reagan and Thatcher austerity at home, an unbroken line of attack on the working class running from there down to Musk’s DOGE cuts.

And the multipolar trajectory we witness today has its origins in the revolutions of the twentieth century: the Bolshevik Revolution, the Chinese Revolution, the wave of national liberation movements from Algeria to Vietnam, Bandung 1955, the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the long resistance in Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen. China’s industrial power today is the inheritance of 1949. Iran’s defiance is the inheritance of 1979.

The class character of the two camps isn’t symmetrical. The forces driving towards the defeat of US-led imperialism represent the working class and the oppressed peoples of the Global South.