Gong Yun: Promoting the Common Values of All Mankind and Advancing the Building of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind
Promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity is not about replacing one system with another, nor one civilization with another. Instead, it is about countries with different social systems, ideologies, histories, cultures, and levels of development sharing symbiotic interests, shared power, and collective responsibilities in international affairs, thereby forming the "greatest common denominator" for the joint construction of a better world.
Building a community with a shared future for humanity is the goal and direction; building a new type of international chemistry characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation is the prerequisite and the path. The essence is to forge a new path for state-to-state interactions while opening the way and creating conditions for the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
The Communist Party of China is a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation; it is also a party that seeks progress for humanity and the Great Unity [1] for the world. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress proposed "promoting world peace and development, and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity," listing the latter as one of the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization. The important concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity is the Chinese solution to the questions of the times facing the world today. It is the righteous path for the benefit of the world’s people, leading the innovation of theory and practice in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. It has drawn a blueprint for the realization of common development, sustained prosperity, and long-term stability for human society, reflecting China's global vision and its responsibility as a major power to unify its own development with that of the world.
I. The Chinese Solution to the Questions of the World and the Times
Marx and Engels once stated that the more thoroughly the original isolation of separate nationalities is destroyed by perfected modes of production and exchange, and by the natural division of labor between different nations resulting from these, the more history becomes world history. The world today remains within the grand historical epoch described by Marx.
The changes unseen in a century [2] call for a shared destiny for humanity. Currently, changes in the world, the times, and history are unfolding in unprecedented ways, and human society faces unparalleled challenges. On one hand, the historical trend of peace, development, and win-win cooperation is unstoppable; the aspirations of the people and the general trend of history determine that the future of humanity will ultimately be bright. On the other hand, hegemonism, power politics, and bullying—manifested through the strong dominating the weak, predatory behavior, and zero-sum games—inflict grave harm. The deficits in peace, development, security, and governance are intensifying. Human society once again stands at a crossroads of history, and the choice of which way to go rests with the people of all nations. The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century; these changes are not limited to a single moment, event, country, or region, but are profound and sweeping transformations of the era. These changes have been compounded by the pandemic of the century, leading the world into a new period of turbulence and transformation. How do we defeat the pandemic? How do we build the post-pandemic world? These are major concerns for people worldwide and urgent subjects that must be addressed.
Global issues drive global collaboration. The number, scale, and depth of global challenges facing the world today are unprecedented, and the destinies of people across all nations are increasingly intertwined. In the universe, there is only one Earth, and humanity has only one home. The world today is full of uncertainty and instability; people are filled with expectation for the future yet feel deeply perplexed. What is wrong with the world, and what should we do? This is the question the whole world is pondering. As General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "No single country can solve all the global problems facing humanity on its own; there must be global action, global response, and global cooperation."
The reform of the global governance system has given rise to the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity. This reform is at a historical turning point. Profound shifts are occurring in the international balance of power. The rapid development of emerging market economies and a large number of developing countries, along with their increasing international influence, represents the most revolutionary change in the balance of power since modern times. The deep development of economic globalization has linked the interests and destinies of all countries more closely, forming a community of interests where "you are in me and I am in you." Today, world affairs increasingly require collective consultation; establishing international mechanisms, abiding by international rules, and pursuing international justice have become the consensus of the majority of nations. Many problems are no longer confined within national borders, and many challenges are beyond the capacity of any single nation to handle. Global challenges require extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Strengthening and reforming the global governance system is the general trend, and this reform cannot proceed without the guidance of correct concepts.
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly grasped the development trends of China and the world in the New Era. By coordinating the strategic overall goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the world's changes unseen in a century, he has proposed a Chinese solution on behalf of the Chinese Communists and the Chinese nation: "The problems of the world are complex; the way out is to maintain and practice multilateralism and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity." A community with a shared future for humanity, as the name implies, means that the future and destiny of every nation and every country are closely linked. We should stick together through thick and thin, share honor and disgrace, and strive to build the planet where we were born and raised into a harmonious family, turning the aspirations of people worldwide for a better life into reality. The core essence of building a community with a shared future for humanity is to build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, and cleanliness and beauty. As stated before, this is not about one system or civilization replacing another, but about realizing the greatest common denominator for a better world through symbiotic interests and shared responsibilities. This is both a historical process and a long-term goal. As long as all parties establish this concept and work together through persistent effort, this lofty goal will surely be realized.
II. A Distinct Banner Leading the Trend of the Times and the Direction of Human Progress
Building a community with a shared future for humanity has become the overall goal of China's foreign work in the New Era, gaining increasingly broad recognition and support from the international community. Over the past decade, this initiative has been welcomed by more countries and people, becoming a distinct banner that demonstrates a bright future.
In October 2017, the report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC included building a community with a shared future for humanity as one of the basic strategies for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. It was also written into the newly revised Constitution of the Communist Party of China, reflecting our Party's sense of responsibility for the destiny of humanity and its mission to maintain world peace and promote common development.
In March 2018, the preamble of the Amendment to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, adopted by the first session of the 13th National People's Congress, included the content of promoting the community with a shared future for humanity. This was the first time since the 1982 Constitution was promulgated that the diplomatic policy section had been enriched and perfected, elevating the idea to the level of national will.
International adoption has followed: On February 10, 2017, the 55th session of the UN Commission for Social Development adopted by consensus a resolution on the "Social Dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa's Development," which called on the international community to strengthen support for Africa's socio-economic development in the spirit of win-win cooperation and building a community with a shared future for humanity—the first time the concept was included in a UN resolution. On March 17, 2017, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2344 on Afghanistan, emphasizing the advancement of regional cooperation in the spirit of win-win cooperation to build a community with a shared future for humanity. On March 23, 2017, the UN Human Rights Council adopted resolutions on "the right to food" and "economic, social, and cultural rights," explicitly mentioning the community with a shared future. Subsequent resolutions in June and September 2017 by the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly further integrated these concepts into global economic governance and human rights frameworks. In October 2017 and November 2021, the concept was also written into General Assembly resolutions regarding the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The repeated inclusion of this content in UN resolutions helps transform this Chinese concept into a global consensus and carries profound significance for promoting the community via the path of international law.
Building a community with a shared future for humanity fundamentally responds to the universal aspirations of all countries for development and progress. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remarked that Xi’s vision provides inspiration for all UN member states. Peter Thomson, President of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, called it "the only future for humanity on this planet." Scholars like Ross Terrill of Harvard’s Fairbank Center have noted that the concept provides new momentum for a new international order.
As world development sits at a new crossroads, this concept provides a new perspective on the "primordial question" of where the world is going. This Chinese strategy shines with the light of fine traditional Chinese culture, inherits the excellent diplomatic traditions of New China, and manifests the noble pursuit of internationalism. It transcends the narrow perspective of individual nations or regions and the shackles of traditional Realist theory [3]. It moves beyond outdated notions of Cold War mentality, zero-sum games, and the "clash of civilizations," employing systemic and dialectical thinking to view the relationship between "self" and "other," and "diversity" and "unity." At the national level, China has built bilateral communities with a growing number of partners; at the regional level, communities for the neighborhood, Asia-Pacific, ASEAN, SCO, Africa, Latin America, the Arab world, and Pacific Island countries have yielded fruitful results. Globally, initiatives for shared futures in cyberspace, nuclear security, the ocean, and global health have received active responses.
III. Continuing to Promote the Community with a Shared Future for Humanity on the New Journey
The era we live in is full of challenges, but also full of hope. The 20th National Congress of the CPC continues to hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity. The people of all countries should work together to respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance, lead development with innovation, and move steadily toward this shared goal.
Promoting the common values of all humanity. Peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom are the common values of all humanity and the noble goals of the United Nations. These goals are far from complete, and humanity must still strive toward them. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Peace and development are our common cause, fairness and justice are our common ideal, and democracy and freedom are our common pursuit." This embodies the consistent pursuit of the Chinese civilization for harmony, mutual assistance, and co-existence in diversity [4]. It reflects the profound reflections of China in the New Era regarding the development of human civilization and its future destiny, and it carries the common aspirations of people from all countries for a better life. Seeking "commonality" while embracing "difference," and pursuing "Great Unity" [5] while respecting "diversity" is precisely where the progressive significance lies in "common values" transcending so-called "universal values," and in the concept of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations breaking the hold of "Western-centrism." The common values of all humanity extend the distinct value pursuits of the Chinese nation to a global dimension, aligning with the common interests, ideals, and pursuits of people worldwide, and providing important insights for resolving the problems and challenges facing human society.
Adhering to the basic principles of the international community. On the new journey, multilateralism must uphold the fundamentals and break new ground while remaining future-oriented. We must not only persist in the core values and basic principles of multilateralism but also base our actions on the changes in the global landscape, focusing on the needs of responding to global challenges. We must reform and improve the global governance system on the foundation of extensive consultation and the building of consensus. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Looking back at history since the beginning of the modern era, establishing a just and reasonable international order has been the goal humanity has pursued unremittingly. From the principles of equality and sovereignty established by the Peace of Westphalia over 360 years ago, to the international humanitarian spirit established by the Geneva Conventions over 150 years ago; from the four purposes and seven principles defined by the Charter of the United Nations over 70 years ago, to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence advocated by the Bandung Conference over 60 years ago—the evolution of international relations has accumulated a series of recognized principles. These principles should become the basic observance for building a community with a shared future for humanity." Specifically, we should follow principles such as sovereign equality, communication and consultation, the rule of law and justice, openness and inclusiveness, and humanitarianism.
Persisting in all-around advancement. In building a community with a shared future for humanity, the key lies in action. On the new journey, the international community must work together in areas such as partnerships, security patterns, economic development, cultural exchanges, and ecological construction. We must persist in dialogue and consultation to build a world of lasting peace. Countries should respect each other, consult on an equal footing, and resolutely discard Cold War mentality and power politics. We must persist in joint contribution and shared benefits to build a world of universal security. All parties should establish a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, coordinating responses to traditional and non-traditional security threats, and opposing all forms of terrorism. We must persist in joint contribution and shared benefits to build a world of common prosperity. Countries should adhere to the philosophy that "when you are well, I am well, and everyone is well," promoting economic globalization, creating favorable conditions for the common development of all humanity, and jointly promoting the development and prosperity of all nations, so that the fruits of development benefit every country and everyone enjoys plenty and well-being. We must persist in exchange and mutual learning to build an open and inclusive world. We must adhere to the idea that the world is rich and colorful and that civilizations are diverse, letting the various civilizations created by humanity shine together, weaving a brilliant and magnificent tapestry, jointly breaking down the spiritual barriers hindering human interaction, letting various civilizations coexist in harmony, and ensuring everyone enjoys cultural nourishment. We must persist in green and low-carbon development to build a clean and beautiful world. We must advocate for green, low-carbon, circular, and sustainable modes of production and life, construct an ecological system that respects nature and pursues green development, and protect the Earth home upon which humanity depends for survival.
Promoting the construction of a new type of international relations. Building a community with a shared future for humanity is the goal and direction; building a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation is the prerequisite and the path. The essence is to forge a new path for state-to-state relations and to open up the way and create conditions for building a community with a shared future for humanity. We must persist in the joint enjoyment of dignity: countries—regardless of size, strength, or wealth—are all equal; we must respect the right of all peoples to independently choose their path of development, oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and uphold international fairness and justice. We must persist in the joint enjoyment of development fruits: every country, while seeking its own development, should actively promote the development of other countries. We must persist in the joint enjoyment of security guarantees: all countries should work together with one heart and mind to properly respond to various problems and challenges; "going it alone" will not work, and a blind faith in military force will work even less. Cooperative security, collective security, and common security are the correct choices for solving problems. We must persist in the principle that the destiny of the world must be held in the hands of the people of all countries: matters within the scope of a country's sovereignty can only be managed by that country's government and people, and world affairs can only be handled through joint consultation by the governments and people of all nations.
"Green mountains on the same range face the same mist and rain; why must the bright moon belong to two different places?" [6] Humanity has only one Earth, and humanity has only one common future. Whether responding to current crises or jointly creating a beautiful future, humanity needs to pull together in the same boat, showing solidarity and cooperation. Practice has proven time and again that the tide of human peace, development, and progress is unstoppable. Any "beggar-thy-neighbor" practice, any "going-it-alone" mindset, and any "narcissistic" arrogance will inevitably end in failure. The world should share a common destiny. Let the torch of multilateralism illuminate the path forward for humanity. We must stand on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, moving toward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and the joint construction of a beautiful world.
(The author is the Vice President and Researcher of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) Web Editor: Lian Yu Source: Guangming Daily, October 31, 2022