Drawing on Chinese Culture to Inspire Global Governance
To improve the global governance system, we should approach the issue from political, economic, and technological perspectives, as well as look at culture, civilization, and values.
AT the dawn of the third decade of the 21st century and at a critical juncture in the worldwide battle against COVID-19, the issue of how globalization develops, evolves, and overcomes challenges amid the pandemic is gaining much global attention.
Foundation of Globalization Grows Stronger
In his keynote speech at the opening of the third China International Import Expo on November 4, 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China’s sincere desire to share its market opportunities with the rest of the world and contribute to global economic recovery.
In October, the fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the proposals for formulating the 14th Five-year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-range Objectives Through the Year 2035, which draw a blueprint for implementing higherstandard opening-up and exploring international cooperation of win-win results. This shows that China is a staunch exponent and guardian of globalization. Its policies and efforts to advance globalization have remained unchanged, and will continue that way in the future.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, discussions on globalization have intensified among the international community, and a consensus is growing with each passing day. The elements that underpin globalization, such
as the market economy, free trade, transnational production, flow of capital, interconnectivity, advancement in science and technology, and cultural confluence, remain important. In addition, amid the pandemic, digital economy boomed across the globe. Cloud computing was widely used across borders. International telecom infrastructure, including that of 5G, was being built at a faster pace. And the application of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum information, blockchain, and big data, reached new levels.
In the course of fighting a deadly virus, people all over the world have gained a deeper understanding of the idea of a community with a shared future for humankind. It has shown that the foundation of globalization is growing stronger, not weaker.
The pandemic has indeed triggered a temporary resurgence of populism, protectionism, and unilateralism, as seen in the anti-globalization policies introduced in certain countries. These are nevertheless merely countercurrents and eddies in the sweeping tides of globalization. As the global economy gradually recovers and the dust settles on the events that influence the trajectory of globalization, such as the presidential election in the U.S., uncertainties in globalization will be removed, and transnational cooperation will be back on track.
Globalization Will Become More Purposeful
Winston Churchill famously said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” The pandemic is a chance for us to take a hard look at the problems caused by the hyper-globalization that started at the end of last century. Globalization means sharing not only its benefits, but also responsibilities. It is a cause we should adhere to and usher into the future. It is predicted that POST-COVID globalization will undergo profound adjustments, and take on some new traits that will transform it from a spontaneous to a more purposeful action.
This new globalization will be more encompassing. Though starting with trade and flow of capital, globalization is not confined to the economic sector, and is extending to the fields of social affairs, culture, security, and health. The result is contact and exchanges between countries all over the world on all fronts and at
The new globalization should be future-oriented, pursue sustainable development of the world and comprehensive progress of humankind, and establish a development model that accommodates both present and long-term interests.
multiple levels, which will create a community of shared future for humankind in which all members depend on each other for their existence and share both prosperity and adversity.
This new globalization will be more balanced. Many countries and regions now face the problem that the globalization process is uneven in different fields, and fails to give them equal benefits or equal say. Under the transformation of the globalized development model triggered by the pandemic, the globalization vision featuring the common well-being of all humanity is taking over the solewinner mentality of certain countries and groups. We need a globalization of greater balance between rights, obligations, and responsibilities.
This new globalization will make development more sustainable. Globalization, with the primary purpose of making profits, has created a growing wealth gap and development divide, inflicted more damage on the ecoenvironment, and further compounded social problems. The new globalization should be future-oriented, pursue sustainable development of the world and comprehensive progress of humankind, and establish a development model that accommodates both present and long-term interests.
This new globalization will make governance more effective. The combination of a once-in-a-century pandemic and unprecedented changes over the past 100 years has exposed deficiencies in the global governance system. The new globalization needs to admit more players into global governance, enrich the form of governance, and consolidate the foundation of multilateral cooperation to establish a fitting, highly efficient governance system based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.
This new globalization will allow a broader confluence of interests. Amid globalization during the past years, the practical interests of countries have become more closely intertwined. The new globalization by comparison needs to be underpinned by common interests, to address common global problems, including climate change, environmental degradation, and biological security, to coordinate and accommodate the values and pursuits of countries and peoples of different social systems, cultural backgrounds, and development stages so as to promote mutual recognition and cooperation among them.
This new globalization will catalyze more technological innovations. Globalization began with the economic sector, but it is technology that has brought it to greater heights. Intelligent technology is transforming all aspects of human life, removing barriers between different cultures, including linguistic ones. It will exert a more profound impact on the trend of globalization than information technology, and drive the new globalization forward.
Chinese Culture Offers Inspiration
When working to improve the global governance system, we should approach the issue from political, economic, and technological perspectives, as well as look at culture, civilization, and values. When there are setbacks in the course of globalization, we can turn to our cultures for a solution.
In Chinese culture, which has been formed over thousands of years, the world is seen as something like what the cosmopolitanism envisions. The belief that humanity is a community of shared future is locked deep in our genes. This can be a source of inspiration for nurturing the new globalization.
When dealing with common interests, Chinese people follow the principle of pursuing the common good. It was the consensus of all schools of thought in ancient China that fairness and unselfishness are the paramount guiding principles. Only being fair-minded and acting for the common good of all, can we realize good governance; if seeking selfish gains becomes the code of conduct of individual countries and peoples, the world will plunge into chaos.
On dealing with others, Chinese people stress benevolence and kindness toward fellow human beings. It is a Confucian belief that love and respect for others will be met with love and respect for oneself. Confucius famously said, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you,” and “Do as you would be done by.” These sentiments embody the deep understanding in Chinese culture on interpersonal and interstate relations. Instead of confrontation and conflict, mutual respect and seeking common ground while putting aside differences are better ways to solve problems and reduce tensions.
China envisions harmonious and win-win relations with other countries. It insists that countries should not only treasure their own distinct heritages, but also appreciate other cultures and promote shared prosperity. It also calls for all sides to recognize the paramount importance of peace. These visions are still relevant today when the world is endeavoring to build a new type of international relations that features mutual respect, equity, justice, and win-win cooperation. C