How China's governance inspires global governance

In October 2025, the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China convened in Beijing. As the session mapped out a blueprint for China's economic and social development for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), there is a growing global interest in this unique governance mechanism that has steered the world's second-largest economy through decades of transformative development. What are the secrets behind the success of China? What insights can be offered to global governance in turbulent times?

Decode China's governance

China launched its First Five-Year Plan (1953-57) four years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the making of the plans has long been a hallmark of China's strategic governance. While long-term planning is not unique to China, the country is often viewed as particularly adept at both long-term thinking and successive implementation. In other words, these plans are not static documents, but are road maps that can lead to real results.

One of China's most admirable qualities is the steadfastness with which it pursues its development. For more than a decade, China has contributed over 30 percent of global economic growth annually. China's cutting-edge breakthroughs in science and technology are making frequent headlines. In the next five years, China's policymakers will place stronger emphasis on innovation, inclusive growth and domestic resilience as anchors for China's high-quality development.

China's five-year plans remain focused on the people, creating opportunities for them to become drivers of social and economic development. Since the start of reform and opening-up, 800 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for over 70 percent of global poverty reduction in the same period. In the next five years, more efforts will be made to improve public wellbeing and promote common prosperity for all. This includes resolving the pressing problems that concern the people most, such as education, medical services, elderly care and childcare.

China's governance empowers global governance

For a big country like China, its words and deeds could have ripple effects worldwide. On that note, China stands out as a responsible and constructive actor at a time of great uncertainties.

As a peace-loving nation, China is the second-largest funding contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and has contributed more peacekeepers than any other permanent members of the Security Council. The recently-established International Organization for Mediation is the latest example to illustrate China's enduring commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes, through dialogue and consultation.

As the biggest developing country, China has done what it could to help other developing countries and offered the world new opportunities through its own development. When tariffs are weaponized and unilateral measures are on the rise, China's consistent advocacy for and practice of openness and shared development offer a vital alternative. Its recent announcement not to seek new special treatment at WTO will surely serve as a shot in the arm for promoting the liberalization and facilitation of global trade and investment.

As a pioneer in clean energy production, China has gone beyond conventional thinking that nations must choose between environmental protection and development, shifting from a mindset of "trading green for gold" to one of "generating gold through green". The advancement of China's solar industry is driving down production costs and making new energy products more affordable worldwide. This benefits the global community, whose current solar capacity still falls short of demand to achieve decarbonization goals.

The Global Governance Initiative comes at the right time

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Recalling the hard lessons of 1945, the world should have been more united and cooperative than ever before. Yet, power politics, protectionism and unilateralism are prevalent. The post-war international order is under strain. Global challenges are intensifying. Collective response remains elusive.

At this historical juncture, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), a call for nations to act collectively to close governance gaps, and deliver peace, security, and prosperity for all. The initiative prescribes a system grounded in sovereign equality, adherence to international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real actions, seeking not to replace the current system but to reform and revitalize it, making institutions more representative and effective.

Shortly after its unveiling, the GGI has garnered wide support and applause. At its heart, the initiative offers a fresh and pragmatic model for international partnership, one that moves beyond the logic of dominance toward fairness and justice, and that prioritizes tangible actions over empty slogans. Particularly, the initiative is gaining traction in the Global South, as it resonates deeply with countries that have long felt marginalized and underrepresented on the world stage.

The international observers say that without the success of China's governance, there could not be GGI. This is right. While China's governance aims to deliver a happy life to its people, global governance is about embracing the world and striving for the common good of the whole humanity. Good governance at home would certainly help chart a promising course for global governance.

As the fourth landmark global initiative proposed by China over the past years, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, the GGI is the result of China's consistent actions on the global stage and showcases its responsibility as a major country. These initiatives invite all nations to work together toward a more just and equitable system, and advance a shared future for humanity.

The author is a commentator on current affairs.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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