China’s Global Security Initiative

Context:

Recently, a new Global Security Initiative (GSI) was put forward by Chinese President. However, China did not provide much clarity or details about the proposed global security initiative.

Relevance:

GS II- International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is Global Security Initiative?
2. Key propositions made by China’s President
3. Reactions of Quad Members

What is Global Security Initiative?

The programme, which was conceived as a global public benefit, aims to enhance international peace and stability by promoting equity and justice among nations.

Chinas President defined his proposal in six areas:

1. Stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and work together to maintain world peace and security;
2. Stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold non-interference in internal affairs, and respect the independent choices of development paths and social systems made by people in different countries;
3. Stay committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, reject the Cold War mentality, oppose unilateralism, and say no to group politics and bloc confrontation;
4. Stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, uphold the principle of indivisible security, build a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, and oppose the pursuit of one’s own security at the cost of others’ security;
5. Stay committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises, reject double standards, and oppose the wanton use of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction;
6. Stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains, and work together on regional disputes and global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity, and biosecurity.

Key propositions made by China’s President:

• China opposes the indiscriminate application of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, ostensibly referring to US penalties.
• He claimed that “certain nations” were “ready to engage in exclusive’small circles’ and’small groups,’ terminology that Chinese officials have previously used to describe the Quad and the AUKUS (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) security agreement.
• He was a staunch opponent of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy for dividing the area and igniting a ‘new Cold War,’ as well as the use of military alliances to form a ‘Asian version of NATO.’
• China, he claims, respects the true spirit of multilateralism.

Reactions of Quad Members

• The Quad is Not a Military Alliance: The Quad’s members have dismissed the idea that it is an Asian NATO or a military alliance, pointing to the Quad’s broad-based collaboration, which includes vaccinations and technology.
• Chinese Unilateralism, Hegemony, and Double Standards: China’s criticism of unilateralism, hegemony, and double standards is mainly directed against the United States.
• The Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War: China’s new advances in the Pacific may be linked to the Belt and Road Initiative’s slowdown as a result of the Ukraine conflict.

Source: The Hindu