The Global Security Initiative

Concept Paper

I. Background

The issue of security bears on the well-being of people of all

countries, the lofty cause of world peace and development, and the future
of humanity.

Today, our world, our times and history are changing in ways like
never before, and the international community is confronted with multiple
risks and challenges rarely seen before. Regional security hotspots keep
flaring up, local conflicts and turbulence occur frequently, the COVID-19
pandemic persists, unilateralism and protectionism have risen
significantly, and traditional and non-traditional security threats are
entwined. The deficits in peace, development, security and governance
are growing, and the world is once again at a crossroads in history.

This is an era rife with challenges. It is also one brimming with hope.
We are convinced that the historical trends of peace, development and
win-win cooperation are unstoppable. Upholding world peace and
security and promoting global development and prosperity should be the
common pursuit of all countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping has
proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), calling on countries to
adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of
solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges
with a win-win mindset. The GSI aims to eliminate the root causes of
international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage
joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile
and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the
world.

II. Core concepts and principles

1. Stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive,

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cooperative and sustainable security. In 2014, President Xi Jinping
initiated a new vision for common, comprehensive, cooperative and
sustainable security, which has been widely recognized and supported by
the international community. The essence of this new vision of security is
to advocate a concept of common security, respecting and safeguarding
the security of every country; a holistic approach, maintaining security in
both traditional and non-traditional domains and enhancing security
governance in a coordinated way; a commitment to cooperation, bringing
about security through political dialogue and peaceful negotiation; and
pursuit of sustainable security, resolving conflicts through development
and eliminating the breeding ground for insecurity. We believe security
will only be firmly established and sustainable when it is underpinned by
morality, justice and the right ideas.

2. Stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial

integrity of all countries. Sovereign equality and non-interference in
internal affairs are basic principles of international law and the most
fundamental norms governing contemporary international relations. We
believe all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal
members of the international community. Their internal affairs brook no
external interference, their sovereignty and dignity must be respected, and
their right to independently choose social systems and development paths
must be upheld. Sovereign independence and equality must be upheld,
and efforts should be made for all countries to enjoy equality in terms of
rights, rules and opportunities.

3. Stay committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of

the UN Charter. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter embody
the deep reflection by people around the world on the bitter lessons of the
two world wars. They are humanity’s institutional design for collective
security and lasting peace. The various confrontations and injustices in
the world today did not occur because the purposes and principles of the
UN Charter are outdated, but because they are not effectively maintained
and implemented. We call on all countries to practice true multilateralism;
firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the
international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms
of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter; and uphold the
authority of the UN and its status as the main platform for global security
governance. The Cold War mentality, unilateralism, bloc confrontation
and hegemonism contradict the spirit of the UN Charter and must be
resisted and rejected.

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 4. Stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all
countries seriously. Humanity is an indivisible security community.
Security of one country should not come at the expense of that of others.
We believe all countries are equal in terms of security interests. The
legitimate and reasonable security concerns of all countries should be
taken seriously and addressed properly, not persistently ignored or
systemically challenged. Any country, while pursuing its own security,
should take into account the reasonable security concerns of others. We
uphold the principle of indivisible security, advocating the indivisibility
between individual security and common security, between traditional
security and non-traditional security, between security rights and security
obligations, and between security and development. There should be a
balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, so as to realize
universal security and common security.

5. Stay committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes

between countries through dialogue and consultation. War and
sanctions are no fundamental solution to disputes; only dialogue and
consultation are effective in resolving differences. We call on countries to
strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual security confidence,
diffuse tensions, manage differences and eliminate the root causes of
crises. Major countries must uphold justice, fulfill their due
responsibilities, support consultation on an equal footing, and facilitate
talks for peace, play good offices and mediate in light of the needs and
will of the countries concerned. The international community should
support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises, and
encourage conflicting parties to build trust, settle disputes and promote
security through dialogue. Abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm
jurisdiction does not solve a problem, but only creates more difficulties
and complications.

6. Stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and

non-traditional domains. In today’s world, both the intension and
extension of security are broadening. Security is more interconnected,
transnational and diverse. Traditional and non-traditional security threats
have become intertwined. We encourage all countries to practice the
principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits
in global governance, and work together to address regional disputes and
global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and
biosecurity. There should be concerted efforts to explore multiple
channels, develop a holistic solution, and improve relevant rules, so as to
find sustainable solutions, promote global security governance and
prevent and resolve security challenges.
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 These six commitments are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and
are an organic whole of dialectical unity. Among them, the vision of
common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security provides
conceptual guidance; respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
all countries is the basic premise; abiding by the purposes and principles
of the UN Charter is a primary benchmark; taking the legitimate security
concerns of all countries seriously is an important principle, peacefully
resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue
and consultation is a must choice; and maintaining security in both
traditional and non-traditional domains is an inherent requirement.

III. Priorities of cooperation

It is our common aspiration to achieve lasting world peace, so that all

countries can enjoy a peaceful and stable external environment and their
people can live a happy life with their rights fully guaranteed. Like
passengers aboard the same ship, countries need to work in solidarity to
foster a community of shared security for mankind and build a world that
is free from fear and enjoys universal security.

To realize these visions, China is ready to conduct bilateral and

multilateral security cooperation with all countries and international and
regional organizations under the framework of the Global Security
Initiative, and actively promote coordination of security concepts and
convergence of interests. China calls on all parties to carry out single or
multiple cooperation in aspects including but not limited to the following
ones, so as to pursue mutual learning and complementarity and to jointly
promote world peace and tranquility:

1. Actively participate in formulating a New Agenda for Peace and

other proposals put forth in Our Common Agenda by the UN
Secretary-General. Support UN efforts to enhance conflict prevention and
fully harness the peace-building architecture to assist post-conflict states
in peace-building. Further leverage the Secretary-General’s Peace and
Security Sub-Fund of the China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund
and support a bigger UN role in global security affairs.

Support the UN in enhancing capacity for implementing its

peacekeeping mandate, uphold the three principles of “consent of the
parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense and
defense of the mandate” for peacekeeping operations, prioritize political
solutions, and take a holistic approach to address both symptoms and root
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causes. Provide peacekeeping operations with adequate resources.
Support the provision of sufficient, predictable and sustainable financial
assistance to the African Union (AU) for it to carry out autonomous
peacekeeping operations.

2. Promote coordination and sound interaction among major countries

and build a major country relationship featuring peaceful coexistence,
overall stability and balanced development. Major countries shoulder
particularly important responsibilities of maintaining international peace
and security. Call on major countries to lead by example in honoring
equality, good faith, cooperation and the rule of law, and in complying
with the UN Charter and international law. Adhere to mutual respect,
peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, stick to the bottom line of
no conflict and no confrontation, seek common ground while reserving
differences, and manage differences.

3. Firmly uphold the consensus that “a nuclear war cannot be won and
must never be fought”. Comply with the joint statement on preventing
nuclear war and avoiding arms races issued by leaders of the five
nuclear-weapon states in January 2022. Strengthen dialogue and
cooperation among nuclear-weapon states to reduce the risk of nuclear
war. Safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime based
on the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and
actively support the efforts of countries in relevant regions to establish
nuclear-weapon-free zones. Promote international cooperation on nuclear
security, so as to build a fair, collaborative and mutually beneficial
international nuclear security system.

4. Fully implement the resolution of Promoting International

Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security
adopted by the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.

Carry out cooperation under such frameworks as the UN Security

Council’s 1540 Committee, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), promote complete
prohibition and thorough destruction of weapons of mass destruction, and
build up the capacity of all countries in areas including non-proliferation
export control, biosecurity and protection against chemical weapons.

Support the process of global conventional arms control. Support

cooperation among China, Africa and Europe on small arms and light
weapons control under the premise of respecting the will of Africa.
Support the implementation of the initiative of Silencing the Guns in
Africa. Actively carry out international cooperation and assistance on
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humanitarian demining and provide help to affected countries as much as
one’s ability permits.

5. Promote political settlement of international and regional hotspot

issues. Encourage the countries concerned to overcome differences and
resolve hotspots through candid dialogue and communication. Support
the international community in constructively participating in the political
settlement of hotspots, under the premise of non-interference in internal
affairs, mainly through the means of facilitating peace talks, with fairness
and practicality as the main attitude, and mainly following the approach
of addressing both symptoms and root causes. Support political
settlement of hotspot issues such as the Ukraine crisis through dialogue
and negotiation.

6. Support and improve the ASEAN-centered regional security

cooperation mechanism and architecture, and adhere to the ASEAN way
of consensus-building and accommodating each other’s comfort level to
further strengthen security dialogue and cooperation among regional
countries. Support efforts to promote cooperation in non-traditional
security areas under the framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation
(LMC), implement relevant cooperation projects under the LMC Special
Fund, and strive to foster a pilot zone for GSI to jointly safeguard
regional peace and stability.

7. Implement the five-point proposal on realizing peace and stability

in the Middle East, including advocating mutual respect, upholding
equity and justice, realizing non-proliferation, jointly fostering collective
security, and accelerating development cooperation, so as to jointly
establish a new security framework in the Middle East. Support the
positive momentum and the efforts of Middle East countries to strengthen
dialogue and improve their relations, accommodate the reasonable
security concerns of all parties, strengthen the internal forces of
safeguarding regional security, and support the League of Arab States
(LAS) and other regional organizations in playing a constructive role in
this regard. The international community should take practical steps to
advance the two-state solution to the Palestinian question, and convene a
larger, more authoritative and more influential international peace
conference, so as to achieve a just solution to the Palestinian question at
an early date.

8. Support the efforts of African countries, the AU and sub-regional

organizations to resolve regional conflicts, fight terrorism and safeguard
maritime security, call on the international community to provide
financial and technical support to Africa-led counter-terrorism operations,
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and support African countries in strengthening their ability to safeguard
peace independently. Support addressing African problems in the African
way, and promote peaceful settlement of hotspots in the Horn of Africa,
the Sahel, the Great Lakes region and other areas. Actively implement the
Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, promote the
institutionalization of the China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and
Development Conference, and work actively to launch pilot projects of
cooperation.

9. Support Latin American and Caribbean countries in actively

fulfilling commitments stated in the Proclamation of Latin America and
the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, and support the Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States and other regional and sub-regional
organizations in playing an active role in upholding regional peace and
security and properly handling regional hotspots.

10. Pay high attention to the special situation and legitimate concerns
of Pacific island countries in regard to climate change, natural disasters
and public health, support the efforts of Pacific island countries to address
global challenges, and support island countries in implementing the 2050
Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Increase the provision of
materials, funds and talents to help island countries improve their ability
to deal with non-traditional security threats.

11. Strengthen maritime dialogue and exchange and practical

cooperation, properly handle maritime differences, and work together to
tackle transnational crimes at sea including piracy and armed robbery, so
as to jointly safeguard maritime peace and tranquility and sea lane
security. Call on upstream and downstream countries along
trans-boundary rivers to actively engage in international cooperation,
resolve relevant disputes through dialogue and consultation, ensure the
safety of shipping on trans-boundary rivers, rationally utilize and protect
water resources, and protect the ecological environment of
trans-boundary rivers.

12. Strengthen the UN’s role as the central coordinator in the global
fight against terrorism, support the international community in fully
implementing the UN General Assembly and Security Council
counter-terrorism resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy, and jointly crack down on all terrorist organizations and
individuals designated by the Security Council. Channel more global
counter-terrorism resources to developing countries to enhance their
counter-terrorism capacity building. Oppose linking terrorism with any
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particular country, ethnic group or religion. Enhance studies on and
responses to the impact of emerging technologies on global
counter-terrorism efforts.

13. Deepen international cooperation in the field of information

security. China has put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security and
calls for joint efforts to formulate global rules on digital governance that
reflect the will and respect the interests of all parties. Follow through on
the China-LAS Cooperation Initiative on Data Security and the Data
Security Cooperation Initiative of China+Central Asia, jointly address
various cyber threats, and work to establish a global governance system
on cyberspace featuring openness and inclusion, justice and fairness,
security and stability, vigor and vitality.

14. Strengthen biosecurity risk management. Jointly advocate

responsible bioscience research and encourage all stakeholders to refer to
the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists on
a voluntary basis. Jointly strengthen the building of biosecurity capability
of laboratories, reduce biosecurity risks and promote the healthy
development of biotechnology.

15. Strengthen international security governance on artificial

intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, and prevent and
manage potential security risks. China has issued position papers on
regulating military applications and strengthening ethical governance of
AI, and stands ready to strengthen communication and exchange with the
international community on AI security governance, promote the
establishment of an international mechanism with broad participation,
and develop governance frameworks, standards and norms based on
extensive consensus.

16. Strengthen international cooperation on outer space and safeguard

the international order in outer space underpinned by international law.
Carry out activities in outer space in accordance with international law,
safeguard the safety of in-orbit astronauts and the long-term and
sustainable operation of space facilities. Respect and ensure the equal
right of all countries to use outer space peacefully. Resolutely reject the
weaponization of and arms race in outer space, and support the
negotiation and conclusion of an international legal instrument on arms
control in outer space.

17. Support the World Health Organization in playing a leading role

in global governance in public health, and effectively coordinate and
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mobilize global resources to jointly respond to COVID-19 and other
major global infectious diseases.

18. Safeguard global food and energy security. Strengthen action

coordination to maintain the smooth operation of international
agricultural trade, ensure stable grain production and smooth supply
chains, and avoid politicizing and weaponizing food security issues.
Strengthen international energy policy coordination, create a safe and
stable environment for ensuring energy transportation, and jointly
maintain the stability of the global energy market and energy prices.

19. Fully and effectively implement the UN Convention against

Transnational Organized Crime. Encourage all countries to conclude or
join international treaties, conventions or agreements or make
institutional arrangements to fight transnational crimes. Support the three
international drug control conventions of the UN, safeguard the
international drug control system, and advocate coordination, shared
responsibility and sincere cooperation in the international community to
jointly address challenges posed by the drug problem and build a
community with a shared future for mankind that is free from the harm of
drugs. Actively conduct law enforcement cooperation on the basis of
respecting each country’s sovereignty, so as to jointly improve law
enforcement capacity and security governance. Support the establishment
of a global training system to train for developing countries more law
enforcement officers who are responsive to their countries’ security
needs.

20. Support the cooperation among countries in addressing climate

change and maintaining stable and smooth supply and industrial chains,
and speed up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development in order to promote sustainable security through sustainable
development.

IV. Platforms and mechanisms of cooperation

1. Engage in wide-ranging discussions and communication on peace

and security at the General Assembly, relevant UN Committees, the
Security Council, relevant institutions, and other international and
regional organizations based on their respective mandates, and put
forward common initiatives and propositions to forge consensus in the
international community to address security challenges.

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 2. Leverage the roles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
BRICS cooperation, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence
Building Measures in Asia, the “China+Central Asia” mechanism, and
relevant mechanisms of East Asia cooperation, and carry out security
cooperation incrementally to achieve similar or same goals. Promote the
establishment of a multilateral dialogue platform in the Gulf region and
give play to the role of coordinating and cooperative mechanisms such as
the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighboring Countries of
Afghanistan and the China-Horn of Africa Peace, Governance and
Development Conference to promote regional and global peace and
stability.

3. Hold high-level conferences on the GSI in due course to strengthen

policy communication in the field of security, promote intergovernmental
dialogue and cooperation, and further foster synergy in the international
community to address security challenges.

4. Support the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, the Middle

East Security Forum, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Global Public
Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) and other international
dialogue platforms in contributing to deepening exchange and
cooperation on security. Promote the establishment of more global
security forums to provide new platforms for governments, international
organizations, think tanks and social organizations to leverage their
advantages and participate in global security governance.

5. Build more international platforms and mechanisms for exchange

and cooperation on addressing security challenges in such areas as
counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, biosecurity and emerging technologies,
with a view to improving the governance capacity in the domain of
non-traditional security. Encourage more exchanges and cooperation
among university-level military and police academies. China is willing to
provide other developing countries with 5,000 training opportunities in
the next five years to train professionals for addressing global security
issues.

The GSI, following the principle of openness and inclusiveness,

welcomes and looks forward to the participation of all parties to jointly
enrich its substance and actively explore new forms and areas of
cooperation. China stands ready to work with all countries and peoples
who love peace and aspire to happiness to address all kinds of traditional
and non-traditional security challenges, protect the peace and tranquility
of the earth, and jointly create a better future for mankind, so that the
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torch of peace will be passed on from generation to generation and shine
across the world.

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