Chinese Ambassador Zaidong pushes for deeper SCO ties for global governance reform

2026-02-04 - 13:26

ISLAMABAD – Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong shared powerful address at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He delivered strong message of global cooperation, multilateralism, and solidarity, positioning the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a central force in reforming global governance amid rising international uncertainty. Addressing audience that included Dr. Muhammad Zahid Latif, Rector of NUST, senior diplomats, academics, and policy experts, Ambassador Jiang termed his third visit to NUST as “coming home,” as he praised deepening people-to-people and institutional ties between Iron Friends. He expressed sincere appreciation to Rector Latif for hosting the seminar and praised Professor Ashfaque and his team for their meticulous organization of the event. With Chinese Spring Festival approaching, Ambassador Jiang extended warm greetings to participants, wishing them prosperity, health, and success in the Year of the Horse, which means more strength, progress, and renewal. He noted that the timing of the seminar, titled SCO and the Global Governance Initiative,” could not be more significant as the world navigates a period of profound transformation and turbulence. The Ambassador warned that international system is under strain due to hegemony, power politics, protectionism, and economic decoupling, trends that threaten global stability and growth. He emphasized that confrontation, division, and zero-sum approaches have failed, stressing that a return to the “law of the jungle” runs counter to the will of people worldwide. Against this backdrop, he highlighted the SCO’s 24-year journey as a model of successful regional cooperation. Guided by the **“Shanghai Spirit”**—mutual trust, equality, mutual benefit, consultation, respect for civilizational diversity, and shared development—the SCO has emerged as a powerful alternative to coercive international politics. He described the organization as a strong advocate of sovereign equality, dialogue, and openness, firmly opposing bullying and power-based dominance in global affairs. Turning to global governance, Ambassador Jiang pointed out deep structural flaws in the existing system, including inadequate representation, weakened authority, and declining effectiveness. He noted that many countries, particularly developing and middle-sized states, are demanding equal participation in global decision-making and continued support for a UN-centered international order grounded in international law. He termed President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative as a comprehensive response to these challenges. Built on principles of sovereign equality, respect for international law, multilateralism, people-centered development, and concrete action, the initiative aims to restore balance, fairness, and effectiveness in global governance. Ambassador Jiang further explained that Global Governance Initiative complements China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. Together, these frameworks form an integrated vision that promotes development-led prosperity, security-driven stability, civilizational dialogue, and justice-based governance—injecting much-needed certainty into an increasingly volatile world. Calling SCO largest regional organization in the world, representing nearly half of the global population, Ambassador Jiang described it as a symbol of the collective rise of the Global South. He stressed that President Xi has urged the SCO to take a leading role in implementing the Global Governance Initiative at a time of historic global change. China and Pakistan, he said, stand at the heart of this effort. As all-weather strategic cooperative partners and key SCO members, the two countries serve as pillars of regional peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation. Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan to strengthen the SCO platform and advance shared global governance goals. First, he stressed strengthening bilateral trust and deepening the China–Pakistan community with a shared future. The mutual support between the two nations on issues of core interest, he noted that the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations offers an opportunity to elevate cooperation to new heights. Enhanced high-level exchanges, stronger strategic coordination, and expanded “small and beautiful” livelihood projects will translate political trust into tangible benefits for people. He called for pioneering multilateral collaboration to energize SCO development, urging full utilization of the organization’s more than 50 cooperation mechanisms to enhance security coordination against terrorism, extremism, separatism, transnational crime, and cyber threats. On the economic front, he stressed the importance of boosting trade and investment, strengthening supply chains, and unlocking regional market potential. He also highlighted innovation, digital economy cooperation, and artificial intelligence as key drivers of future growth that must deliver real benefits to societies. Furthermore, he stressed joint leadership in global governance, particularly among Global South countries. China and Pakistan, he said, will firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law. He reaffirmed their commitment to defending the outcomes of World War II, opposing the resurgence of fascism and militarism, supporting free trade and the multilateral trading system, and advancing inclusive economic globalization. Ambassador Jiang concluded with a strong call for unity and resolve, and urged countries to draw inspiration from the Shanghai Spirit and use the Global Governance Initiative as a guiding framework to build a community with a shared future for humanity.