By Gerald Mbanda
The recently concluded G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa—held for the first time on African soil—sent a powerful signal to the world: the G20 reaffirmed its commitment to a rules-based, multilateral global order, echoing much of China’s long-standing call for more equitable global governance. Under the banner of solidarity, equality and sustainability, the leaders produced a declaration that closely aligns with China’s multilateral vision and reflects a rising Global South consensus on the future of international cooperation.
South Africa emphasized that its presidency would elevate the priorities of developing nations. President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that today’s global challenges—from financial strain to climate instability—can no longer be solved through unilateral action or narrow alliances. Instead, he underscored the need for cooperation rooted in mutual respect, fairness and shared responsibility. The summit’s final declaration embraced this message, calling for meaningful reform of global institutions, including multilateral development banks and the United Nations, to make them more representative and effective. For years, China has advocated similar reforms under its Global Governance Initiative, and the alignment between its proposals and the Johannesburg declaration was widely noted.
Another defining feature of the summit was its strong endorsement of multilateralism. Leaders emphasized that peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development and that constructive dialogue remains the only credible pathway to stability in a world marked by geopolitical divisions. Ramaphosa hailed the summit as a success for multilateralism, highlighting that despite differences, G20 members were able to reach consensus on key issues. This message closely tracks China’s longstanding diplomatic approach that prioritizes dialogue, non-interference and collaborative development. Many observers pointed out that the declaration’s language on equitable global governance mirrors themes frequently advanced by Beijing.
The summit also produced forward-looking commitments across several areas—financial reform, climate action, and industrial development—that reinforce this shared agenda. Leaders voiced support for restructuring unsustainable debt, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and for strengthening the role of multilateral development banks so that they can better provide affordable long-term financing. They also agreed to mobilize new climate financing tools to help vulnerable nations transition toward sustainable energy systems and build resilience against natural disasters. Another important outcome was the focus on inclusive industrialization, particularly in Africa. The declaration emphasized the need to build local value chains in minerals and green technologies rather than perpetuating a model of raw-material extraction. This approach is consistent with China’s development partnerships across the continent, which prioritizes industrial upgrading and infrastructure-based growth.
By the close of the summit, the message from Johannesburg was clear: shared goals can outweigh political divisions when nations commit to dialogue and collaboration. Even with the absence of certain traditional powers, the G20 demonstrated that multilateral cooperation is not only viable but essential in shaping a more balanced global order. For China, the summit’s outcomes represent a meaningful validation of its long-term diplomatic efforts to champion fairness, inclusivity and reform in global governance. Many analysts in Beijing viewed the declaration as a sign that China’s approach to global order—multilateral, development-focused and supportive of Global South empowerment—is gaining wider international traction.
Transforming broad commitments into concrete actions will require political will from all major players. Reforming institutions like the UN or restructuring global finance is a slow and complex process. Yet despite these obstacles, the Johannesburg summit may well mark a turning point. By embracing principles that China and many developing nations have championed for years, the G20 signaled a shift toward a more multipolar and representative global governance system. Whether this momentum leads to lasting change will depend on how faithfully nations follow through—but for now, the world has received a clear message: multilateralism remains indispensable.
