China’s Global Security Initiative, Core Principles and Implementation

Context: Nepal PM expressed support for China’s Global Security Initiative while attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.

What is Global Security Initiative/Alliance?

• Launch: Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April 2022 at the Boao Forum for Asia.
• Aim: To present an alternative security framework led by China, countering the U.S.-led alliances like NATO and AUKUS.
  • Promote what China calls “common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.”

Core Principles

• Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
• Opposition to Cold War mentality and bloc confrontations.
• Dialogue and consultation over conflict.
• Addressing both traditional and non-traditional security threats (terrorism, cybersecurity, pandemics, and climate change).
• Indivisible security — no country should pursue its own security at the expense of others.

Implementation

• Managed by the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper (2023) issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Promotes Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) linkages, multilateral dialogues, and a greater role for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS.

China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI)

Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) in April 2022 as a vision to resolve global security problems by cooperation, mutual respect, and multilateralism. It aims to present an alternative to Western-dominated security frameworks and places emphasis on China’s contribution to the international order.

Key Principles of GSI

• Common Security – Providing security to all states, not select ones.
• Respect for Sovereignty – Resisting interference in internal matters and showing respect for territorial integrity.
• Indivisible Security – Understanding that no nation can gain security at the cost of others.
• Peaceful Resolution – Promoting dialogue and negotiations over coercion or unilateral sanctions.
• Comprehensive Security – Meeting both traditional (war, terrorism) and non-traditional (climate change, pandemics, cyber threats) security challenges.
• Multilateralism – Promoting the UN and regional organisations in the resolution of conflict.

Objectives of Global Security Initiative

• Against unilateralism and Cold War thinking, particularly U.S.-dominated alliances.
• To enhance the developing nations’ voice in the governance of global security.
• To advance China’s conception of a multipolar international order.
• To extend China’s influence through projects associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

GSI Relevance for India

• India is cautious about the GSI, which could enhance China’s strategic reach in Asia.
• India favours multilateral security but is suspicious of China’s territorial ambitions and belligerent policies.
• GSI can affect India’s neighbourliness relations if China employs it to strengthen relationships in South Asia.

Criticisms

• Detractors claim that it is a geopolitical weapon to checkmate U.S. influence.
• Lack of a transparent mechanism for execution.
• Fear of China’s own assertive behaviour in the South China Sea and along the India-China border.

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