By Gerald Mbanda
As China under president Xi Jinping continues to advocate for peace at a time several regions of the world are facing wars and political tensions, the Chinese president’s approach to international relationshas gained global recognition. His ideas and diplomatic initiatives have contributed significantly to global stability and dialogue. In this context, I wish to say that it is the right time to call for creation of a Xi Jinping Global Peace Institute, an institution dedicated to studying and promoting the principles articulated in his diplomatic and governance philosophy. Such an institute would serve as a platform for advancing dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in a changing world.
At the heart of this proposal are four global initiativeschampioned by Xi Jinping: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the Global Governance Initiative, which collectively form a framework aimed at addressing the world’s pressing challenges. Last month I had the privileged to moderate a seminar that brought together academia, experts, government officials, researchers, media professionals from China and Africa, to deliberate on the tangible benefits of embracing the four Global Initiatives to Africa in particular, and the rest of the world at large. During the seminar, there was a general consensus that these initiatives highlight China’s commitment to inclusive growth, cooperative security, respect among civilizations, and the reform of international governance structures.
China proposals like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)is a component of the wider Global Development Initiative that aims to re-energize international development efforts by prioritizing poverty reduction, food security, public health, and green development. GDI is as a pragmatic approach to addressing imbalances that have slackened global development. China stands out as a global model of rapid development and transformation especially after the reform and opening up in 1978.
The Global Security Initiative emphasizes dialogue over confrontation and cooperative security over military blocs. Its central message—that security is indivisible and that one nation’s security should not come at the expense of another’s—appeals strongly to countries wary of escalating geopolitical rivalry. This philosophy aligns closely with the pursuit of long-term peace, and the United Nations principles on peaceful coexistence.
The UN Charter promotes peaceful coexistence through principles like peaceful dispute settlement (Article 2.3, Chapter VI), sovereign equality, non-interference, and promoting human rights, urging nations to use negotiation and diplomacy over force.The mighty countries should not bully weak ones because humanity at all levels requires peace.
During a high-level seminar that took place at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 4th December 2025, to discuss the GSI and its impact on the world under the theme “Working Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action,” Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, special representative of the UN secretary-general to the AU and head of the UN Office to the AU, said the GSI calls for a new, balanced, effective and sustainable global security architecture, which would help anchor collective security. He affirmed that the UN welcomes the focus of the GSI on the political settlement of disputes through dialogue and negotiations, as well as its commitment to supporting the efforts of African countries for peace and security.”
The Global Civilization Initiative, calls for mutual learning among civilizations, respect for diversity, and rejection of cultural superiority. In a time marked by polarization, cultural conflicts, and rising nationalism, the GCI offers an alternative pathway that promotes harmony rather than competition. There is no country that holds universal values that must be imposed on other civilizations. Xi Jinping proposal calls for mutual respect among civilizations irrespective of geographical and economic differences.
The Global Governance proposed by Xi Jinping emphasizes reforming international institutions so they better serve the collective interests of humanity without discrimination or bias as we see happening to the Global South. The GGI gives developing nations a platform and a stronger voice in global decision-making organs which can help to addresses past injustices and present lack of economic, industrial and innovation competitiveness. During the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) that took place in September, many world leaders praised China’s initiatives.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, among others, said that the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative carries profound meaning, and praised its core tenets as being compatible with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. In 2023, China brokered a historic deal in Beijing between Saudi Arabia and Iran ending the long-rivalry and restored diplomatic ties and enhanced cooperation. China has advocated for peaceful settlement of conflicts between Israel-Palestine and Russia- Ukraine.
Central to understanding China’s four global initiativesis Xi Jinping’s extensive writing on governance, particularly the multivolume collection “The Governance of China.” The works offer insights into China’s development path, governance philosophy, and approach to global affairs. For many policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners, these writings provide a reference point for alternative strategies to national development, social stability, and long-term planning. An institute dedicated to studying these ideas could facilitate comparative research, policy dialogue, and capacity building around the world.
China under the leadership of Xi Jinping has aimed to maintain stable relations with other nations and has not sought provocation, confrontation or domination.China’s bilateral and multilateral diplomacy embraces equality, economic cooperation, and globalengagement as evidence of its desire for peaceful international coexistence. The advocacy of a Peace Institute bearing the names of president Xi Jinping would formalize China’s contributions to global peace efforts and promote deeper understanding of its diplomatic philosophy, which will stand for generations to come in recognition of Xi’s contribution to making the world a better place for the current and future generations. By fostering research, discussion, and collaboration, the Xi Jinping Global Peace Institute could contribute meaningfully to mitigating factors that cause misunderstandings, political tensions, wars, while encouraging more stable international relations.
