Beijing
For all of China’s insistence that it is against hegemony – staring at the USA while it says it- Beijing sure likes to promote its own version of global security. It may couch its vision in glowing slogans, but a world made in China’s mold would be a frightening one.
At the World Economic Forum in January 2022, Chairman Xi Jinping reiterated his multipolar vision for peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes , which necessitates abandoning a Cold War mentality and desisting from construction of parallel systems . Xi also criticized exclusive small circles or blocs that are responsible for polarizing the world.
Previously, Xi has called for inclusive security in the Asia-Pacific region, and Beijing regularly uses slogans such as win-win cooperation and a community with a shared vision for mankind .
Then, in his videoed keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia on 21 April, Xi announced China’s establishment of a Global Security Initiative to promote security for all in the world . Xi’s speech encompassed the principle of indivisible security to build balanced, sustainable and effective international security architecture.
The language of indivisible security is most notable, dating from the Helsinki Accords of 1975 during the Cold War. By using such language, China is simply parroting what Russian President Vladimir Putin argues, that the USA and Europe should not strengthen their own security at the expense of the security of other countries .
Of course, Putin is justifying his opposition to NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe, although ironically his own actions have caused further expansion of NATO.
