Practicing True Multilateralism

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The history of these 80 years teaches us that the international system centered on the United Nations is an important guarantee for the cause of human progress, and that multilateralism based on coordination and cooperation is the best solution to global problems. However, at present, certain Western countries, on the one hand, stubbornly pursue hegemonism and unilateralism, cling to Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation; on the other hand, under the pretext of the so-called "rules-based international order," they whitewash and package various acts of "pseudo-multilateralism" in an attempt to confuse international public opinion. True multilateralism is increasingly being eroded, and numerous multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, are suffering severe shocks. At this historic crossroads, we need more than ever to revisit the original aspiration of the founding of the United Nations, firmly uphold the international system centered on the United Nations, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and practice true multilateralism.

今年是联合国成立80周年。80年的历史启示我们，以联合国为核心的国际体系是人类进步事业的重要保障，以协调合作为基石的多边主义是解决全球问题的最佳方案。然而，当前个别西方国家一方面顽固奉行霸权主义、单边主义，热衷冷战思维和阵营对抗；另一方面以所谓“基于规则的国际秩序”为借口，粉饰包装各种“伪多边主义”行径，企图混淆国际舆论，真正的多边主义日益受到侵蚀，包括联合国在内的众多多边机制遭到严重冲击。在这个历史的关键十字路口，我们比以往任何时候都更需要重温联合国成立的初心，坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系、以国际法为基础的国际秩序、以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则，践行真正的多边主义。

Multilateralism Is an Important Sign of Progress in Human Society

多边主义是人类社会进步的重要标志

Multilateralism generally refers to the concept of coordinating relations among three or more countries or actors in international relations according to commonly established norms of conduct. The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 established the principles of equality and sovereignty, lifting the curtain on the modern international relations system. Its method of reaching norms of inter-state relations through negotiation among representatives of multiple states is regarded as the germ of modern multilateralism. Subsequently, a series of important international conferences and treaties centered on Europe, including the Concert of Europe mechanism established by the Congress of Vienna in 1814–1815, represented the explorations and attempts of European great powers to conduct international security cooperation in multilateral forms. International organizations established in the mid-to-late 19th century, such as the International Telecommunication Union and the Universal Postal Union, represented the multilateralist practices and achievements of Western countries during this period in addressing transnational issues brought about by economic and technological development.

多边主义一般指在国际关系中，三个或三个以上的国家或行为体，按照共同确立的行为准则，对相互之间关系进行协调的理念。1648年，《威斯特伐利亚和约》确立了平等和主权原则，揭开了现代国际关系体系的序幕，其通过多国代表协商达成国家间关系准则的方式，被视为近现代多边主义的萌芽。此后，以欧洲为中心的一系列重要国际会议和协约，包括1814—1815年维也纳会议确立的欧洲协调机制，是欧洲大国以多边形式进行国际安全合作的探索与尝试。19世纪中后期成立的国际电信联盟、万国邮政联盟等国际组织，则代表了这一时期西方国家为解决经济和科技发展等带来的跨国性问题所开展的多边主义实践及其成果。

After the First World War, the establishment of the League of Nations marked the expansion of multilateral coordination from the regional to the global level. Although the League of Nations mechanism ended inconclusively with the outbreak of the Second World War, a series of basic principles and ideas it created for inter-state cooperation, including collective security, peaceful settlement of disputes, cooperation in economic and social affairs, disarmament, and open diplomacy, laid an important foundation for the development of multilateralism after the Second World War.

第一次世界大战以后，国际联盟（以下简称“国联”）的建立标志着多边协调从区域向全球范围拓展。尽管国联机制因第二次世界大战爆发无果而终，但国联为国家间合作所创设的一系列基本原则和设想，包括集体安全、和平解决争端、经济社会事务合作、裁减军备以及公开外交等，为二战后的多边主义发展奠定了重要基础。

Around the end of the Second World War, the most important decision made by the international community was to establish the United Nations, creating the primary platform for maintaining world peace and conducting global governance. With the development of the international multilateral mechanism centered on the United Nations, the practice of multilateralism has continuously expanded in areas such as global politics, economy, security, and human rights. Although severely constrained by the bipolar structure of the Cold War period, the vigorous emergence of various post-war multilateral organizations made the practice of multilateralism richer and more diverse, and the concept of multilateralism more deeply rooted in people's hearts.

二战结束前后，国际社会作出的最重要决定就是成立联合国，打造一个维护世界和平、开展全球治理的最主要平台。随着以联合国为核心的国际多边机制发展，多边主义实践在全球政治、经济、安全、人权等领域不断拓展。尽管受到冷战时期两极格局的严重制约，但战后各种多边组织的蓬勃兴起，使得多边主义实践更加丰富多彩、多边主义理念更加深入人心。

In the post-Cold War period, especially since the new century, the in-depth development of world multipolarity, economic globalization, social informatization, and cultural diversification, the deepening interdependence among countries, and the increasingly apparent global linkage effects of various threats and challenges have made the international community's demand for global governance based on multilateralism more urgent. At the same time, with the collective rise of Global South countries, including China, which has vigorously promoted the development of multilateral mechanisms such as the G20, the BRICS mechanism, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, new impetus has been injected into enhancing the representativeness and effectiveness of the United Nations and promoting the healthy and robust development of multilateralism.

后冷战时期特别是新世纪以来，世界多极化、经济全球化、社会信息化、文化多样化深入发展，各国相互依赖和依存日益加深，各种威胁和挑战的全球联动效应愈加明显，国际社会对以多边主义为基础的全球治理需求更加迫切。与此同时，随着包括中国在内的全球南方国家群体性崛起，有力推动二十国集团、金砖机制、上海合作组织等多边机制发展，也为提升联合国的代表性和有效性、推动多边主义健康强劲发展注入了新动力。

Multilateralism has raised the level of organization in international relations. It is a product of the historical development of international relations and an important sign of progress in human society. Although the connotation of multilateralism has changed greatly in different periods, the impetus of the international community to reduce conflict, enhance cooperation, and jointly address global challenges through multilateral coordination has been consistent, and the demand for it has continuously increased. Adhering to international rules and pursuing fairness and justice have increasingly become the consensus of the majority of countries.

多边主义提升了国际关系的组织化程度，是国际关系历史发展的产物，是人类社会进步的重要标志。尽管多边主义内涵在不同时期有很大变化，但国际社会通过多边协调来减少冲突、增进合作、共同应对全球性挑战的动力一以贯之、需求持续增加，遵守国际规则、追求公平正义日益成为多数国家的共识。

What Is True Multilateralism

什么是真正的多边主义

True multilateralism emphasizes that the interests of all parties participating in multilateral mechanisms are interdependent and share weal and woe, and that relations are coordinated and norms of collective action are formulated based on collective interests rather than the interests of individual or a few members. This concept is centrally embodied in the design of the collective security mechanism represented by the United Nations after the Second World War. The collective security mechanism is based on the integrity and indivisibility of peace, backed by collective coercive force, and aims to achieve the security of each member by deterring possible threats and acts that undermine peace. With the in-depth development of economic globalization and the deepening interdependence of countries around the world, people have gained a deeper understanding of the integrity and indivisibility of human security and well-being. The international community not only needs to cooperate to address traditional security threats and maintain international peace, but also needs broader collective action to address non-traditional security threats and global challenges such as major infectious diseases and climate change. That is to say, the security of each country must be ensured by safeguarding overall human security.

真正的多边主义，强调参与多边机制各方利益相互依存、休戚与共，从集体利益而非个别或少数成员利益出发来协调相互关系、制定集体行动准则。这种理念集中体现在二战后以联合国为代表的集体安全机制设计上。集体安全机制是以和平的整体性和不可分割性为基础，以集体强制力为后盾，通过慑止可能出现的威胁和破坏和平的行径，达到维护每个成员安全的目的。伴随经济全球化深入发展和世界各国相互依存加深，人们对人类安全和福祉的整体性和不可分割性有了更深刻体察。国际社会不仅需要合作应对传统安全威胁、维护国际和平，还需要以更广泛的集体行动来应对重大传染性疾病、气候变化等非传统安全威胁和全球性挑战，也就是说，必须通过维护人类整体安全来确保各国安全。

True multilateralism emphasizes that all countries participating in multilateral mechanisms, regardless of size, wealth, or strength, and regardless of differences in history, culture, or system, have equal rights, and opposes hierarchical concepts and subordinate relationships, as well as hegemonism and power politics. Sovereign equality is a requirement of the times and the primary principle of the UN Charter, constituting the most important norm regulating relations between states. On the basis of adhering to sovereign equality, multilateralism also emphasizes promoting equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for all countries, so that all countries can find their place in a multipolar system and play their due role while abiding by international law. For example, the non-discriminatory principles of the World Trade Organization, such as most-favored-nation treatment and national treatment, are intended to allow countries at different stages of development to share the benefits of economic globalization and prevent weaker economies from being marginalized. For example, the Paris Agreement emphasizes "common but differentiated responsibilities," a principle established to ensure equal participation, enjoyment of rights, and playing of roles by all parties, taking into account the different historical responsibilities, stages of development, and capacities of developed and developing countries in addressing climate change.

真正的多边主义，强调参与多边机制的各国无论大小、贫富、强弱，无论历史、文化、制度等差异，都具有平等的权利，反对等级观念和从属关系，反对霸权主义和强权政治。主权平等，是时代进步的要求，也是联合国宪章的首要原则，构成规范国家间关系的最重要准则。在坚持主权平等的基础上，多边主义还强调推动各国权利平等、机会平等、规则平等，使各国都能在多极体系中找到自己的位置，都能在遵守国际法前提下发挥应有的作用。比如，世界贸易组织的最惠国待遇、国民待遇等非歧视性原则，是为了让不同发展阶段的国家都能分享经济全球化的益处，防止弱小经济体被边缘化。比如，《巴黎协定》强调“共同但有区别的责任”，是考虑到发达国家和发展中国家在气候变化问题上的历史责任、发展阶段、应对能力不同，为确保各成员方平等参与、享受权利、发挥作用而确立的原则。

True multilateralism emphasizes reaching universally applicable norms of conduct through collective consultation, rather than being decided by individual countries or groups of countries; once rules are established, all participating parties must abide by them consistently, and cannot engage in exceptionalism or double standards, otherwise it will lead to a "broken windows effect" in the operation of multilateral agreements and mechanisms. With the in-depth development of world multipolarity, especially the collective rise of Global South countries, their desire to develop multilateralism with non-Western cultures, ideas, and values has been continuously rising, and their contributions have also been continuously increasing. It is inevitably necessary to further break out of the rut of Western-centrism, more fully reflect the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, and more fully embody the common values of all humanity—peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom.

真正的多边主义，强调通过集体协商达成普遍通用的行为准则，而不由个别国家或国家集团来决定；规则一旦确定，参与各方必须一致遵守，不能搞例外主义和双重标准，否则会导致多边协议和多边机制运行出现“破窗效应”。随着世界多极化深入发展，特别是全球南方国家的群体性崛起，它们对以非西方的文化、理念和价值观来发展多边主义的愿望持续上升，贡献也持续增加，必然要求进一步破除西方中心主义的窠臼，在全球治理中更全面体现广大发展中国家的代表性与发言权，更全面体现和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。

Multilateralism Is Facing Severe Challenges

多边主义正遭遇严峻挑战

In recent years, certain Western countries have engaged in unilateralism under the guise of multilateralism, seriously deviating from the spiritual essence of multilateralism. In particular, they place their own interests above international public interests, unilaterally launching tariff wars and trade wars on a global scale, severely impacting the global economic and trade order and the stability of global supply chains, causing the most direct damage to multilateralism.

近年来，个别西方国家以多边主义之名，行单边主义之实，严重背离多边主义的精神实质。尤其是将自身利益凌驾于国际公利之上，单方面在全球范围内发起关税战、贸易战，严重冲击全球经贸秩序和全球供应链稳定，对多边主义造成最直接的破坏。

Proceeding from the maintenance of their own hegemony, under the banner of so-called "democracy versus authoritarianism," they force other countries to choose sides, clamor for the establishment of a so-called "Asia-Pacific version of NATO," and have taken the lead in establishing the "Indo-Pacific Economic Framework" and the "Chip Alliance" that exclude China in the economic, trade, and technological fields. This series of exclusive "small-circle multilateralism" is creating an ideological iron curtain and dividing the international community, severely weakening the collective action capacity of the international community to collaborate in addressing global challenges, and completely deviating from the principle of indivisibility of security and well-being advocated by contemporary multilateralism.

从维护自身霸权出发，打着所谓“民主对抗威权”的旗号，强迫别国选边站队，鼓噪建立所谓“亚太版北约”，还主导建立了在经贸、科技领域排斥中国的“印太经济框架”、“芯片联盟”等。这一系列排他性的“小圈子多边主义”，是在制造意识形态铁幕、分裂国际社会，严重削弱了国际社会协作应对全球挑战的集体行动能力，完全背离了当代多边主义倡导的安全和福祉不可分割原则。

Making unwarranted criticisms of, or even interfering in, the development paths and political systems independently chosen by the vast number of developing countries; ignoring the legitimate development rights and interests of other countries, and, under the pretext of upholding the so-called “rules-based international order,” frequently resorting to decoupling, supply disruptions, sanctions, military threats, and even armed intervention. Such conduct imposes one’s own will and standards on others, places domestic law above international law, and is a reincarnation of power politics, running counter to the principle of equality inherent in true multilateralism.

对广大发展中国家自主选择的发展道路和政治制度说三道四甚至横加干涉；无视他国的正当发展权益，以所谓维护“基于规则的国际秩序”为借口，动辄搞脱钩、断供、制裁，进行武力威胁甚至发动武装干涉。这种行径把自己的意志和标准强加于人，把国内法凌驾于国际法之上，是强权政治的翻版，与真正多边主义的平等理念背道而驰。

With regard to international rules, on the one hand, they adopt a stance of “using them when they are convenient and discarding them when they are not,” refusing to comply with international rules that are unfavorable or not to their liking; on the other hand, they obstruct multilateral mechanisms such as the International Monetary Fund from implementing quota reforms. This “multilateralism of one’s own country first” and “selective multilateralism” not only severely damages the functioning of numerous multilateral mechanisms but also prevents the representation and voice of emerging economies in multilateral mechanisms from being fully reflected, and continues to infringe upon the right of developing countries to participate equally in global governance.

对国际规则，一方面采取“合则用、不合则弃”的立场，拒不遵守对其不利或不合其心意的国际规则；另一方面阻扰国际货币基金组织等多边机制实施份额改革。这种“本国优先的多边主义”、“有选择的多边主义”，不仅导致众多多边机制运行遭到严重破坏，也使新兴经济体在多边机制中的代表性和发言权得不到充分体现、发展中国家平等参与全球治理的权利继续遭受侵害。

It can be seen that the various challenges facing the world today arise not because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are outdated, but precisely because these purposes and principles have not been effectively fulfilled; not because multilateralism itself has problems, but precisely because the essence of multilateralism has not been truly practiced.

可以看到，当今世界面临种种挑战，并不是因为联合国宪章宗旨和原则过时了，而恰恰是由于这些宗旨和原则未能得到有效履行；并不是因为多边主义本身出了问题，而恰恰是由于多边主义的要义没有得到真正践行。

Let the torch of multilateralism illuminate the path of human progress

让多边主义火炬照亮人类前行之路

“Multilateralism is the only viable path that best serves the interests of the people of all countries.” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “ General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed the need to “practice true multilateralism.” Will humanity accept a unipolar hegemony that asserts its own supremacy, or embrace a multipolar world that is equal and orderly? The future of the world depends on the choices of the people of all countries. Only by practicing true multilateralism and re-consolidating the positive forces of the international community can we effectively respond to common challenges and work together to create a shared future.

“多边主义是最符合各国人民利益的必由之路。”习近平总书记多次强调，要“践行真正的多边主义”。人类是要接受一个唯我独尊的单极霸权，还是迎接一个平等有序的多极世界？世界的未来取决于各国人民的选择。只有践行真正的多边主义，重新凝聚国际社会积极力量，才能有效应对共同挑战，携手开创共同未来。

Rallying consensus on multilateralism under the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind. Human society is a community of shared interests and shared security, where interests are intertwined and destinies are linked. The concept of a community with a shared future for mankind advocated by China is grounded in the objective reality that the destinies of nations are interwoven and that they share weal and woe. It conforms to the trend of the times toward peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes. It focuses on the historical trend of world multipolarity and economic globalization. It is rooted in the fine traditional Chinese culture of “the world is for all” and “peace and harmony among all nations,” [4] and is inherently consistent with multilateralism’s emphasis on collective interests and collective action. History has repeatedly proven that any beggar-thy-neighbor approach, any go-it-alone mentality, and any arrogant self-admiration will ultimately end in failure. Faced with endless global challenges, all countries need to firmly establish a sense of a community with a shared future for mankind and take collective action with the spirit of “working together for the planet.” [5]

以人类命运共同体旗帜凝聚多边主义共识。人类社会是利益交融、安危与共的利益共同体和命运共同体。中国倡导的人类命运共同体理念立足于国与国命运交织、休戚与共的客观现实，顺应和平、发展、合作、共赢的时代潮流，着眼世界多极化和经济全球化的历史大势，根植于天下为公、协和万邦的中华优秀传统文化，与多边主义重视集体利益、强调集体行动具有内在一致性。历史一再证明，任何以邻为壑的做法，任何单打独斗的思路，任何孤芳自赏的傲慢，最终都必然归于失败。面对层出不穷的全球挑战，各国需要牢固树立人类命运共同体意识，以“同球共济”精神开展集体行动。

Practicing true multilateralism based on the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Matters of the world should be discussed and handled by all countries together. It is no longer permissible to classify countries into different grades based on so-called strength and status, nor to allow whoever has the “bigger fist” to have the final say. Global South countries have the right to raise and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. Adhering to extensive consultation, forming consensus and unified action on global governance through full consultation, is a prerequisite for the operation of the global governance system. Adhering to joint contribution, building together through collective participation the global governance system covering areas such as the economy, security, and environment, as well as new frontiers like cyberspace and outer space, is the guarantee for the stable and sustained supply of global public goods. Adhering to shared benefits, ensuring that the fruits of global governance and development benefit the people of all countries more and more fairly, is an inevitable requirement for common and sustainable global development. To adhere to true multilateralism, we must uphold the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and insist on dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win outcomes over zero-sum games.

以共商共建共享原则践行真正的多边主义。世界上的事要由各国商量着办，不能再允许以所谓实力地位把国家分成三六九等，不能再允许谁的“胳膊粗”就听谁的，全球南方国家有权提出并维护自身正当权益。坚持共商，通过充分协商形成全球治理的共识和一致行动，是全球治理体系运行的前提。坚持共建，通过集体参与、共同建设包括经济、安全、环境等领域以及网络、外空等新疆域在内的全球治理体系，是全球公共产品稳定持续供应的保障。坚持共享，让全球治理和发展成果更多更公平惠及各国人民，是全球共同发展、可持续发展的必然要求。坚持真正的多边主义，必须坚持共商共建共享的全球治理观，坚持对话而不对抗、结伴而不结盟、共赢而非零和。

Upholding a fair and just international order with the spirit of international rule of law. The more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more necessary it is to strictly enforce the international rule of law, firmly uphold the basic principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and resolutely defend international fairness and justice. Without fairness and justice, power politics will run rampant, and the law of the jungle will prevail. There can be competition between countries, but it must be positive and healthy, adhering to moral bottom lines and international norms. All countries and international judicial bodies have the responsibility to uphold the authority of the international rule of law and ensure the equal and uniform application of international law. Major countries, in particular, should take the lead in being advocates and defenders of the international rule of law, refraining from exceptionalism and double standards, and even less should they place their “family rules and gang regulations” above international law, infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries and undermining international peace and stability.

以国际法治精神维护公平正义的国际秩序。国际形势越是变乱交织，越要厉行国际法治，坚定维护以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际法基本原则和国际关系基本准则，坚定捍卫国际公平正义。没有公平正义，强权政治就会横行无忌，弱肉强食就会大行其道。国家之间可以有竞争，但必须是积极的、良性的，要守住道德底线和国际规范。各国和国际司法机构有责任维护国际法治权威，确保国际法平等统一适用。大国更应该带头做国际法治的倡导者和维护者，不搞例外主义，不搞双重标准，更不能把“家法帮规”凌驾于国际法之上，侵害他国正当权益、破坏国际和平稳定。

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心