Abstract

The world today is marked by Great changes unseen in a century. Global economic weakness, followed by the rise of trade protectionism and economic nationalism, has led to a rapid transformation of globalization into deglobalization. The international landscape has also changed, with the growing unsustainability of U.S. hegemony, the gradual rise of China, India and other BRICS countries, and the trend towards regional multi-polarization. Combined with a series of black swan events such as COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, the global energy crisis, food crisis, and social inequality have all been further aggravated. The international system and international order formed since World War II, with the United Nations at its core, has met an unprecedentedly difficult time. This is because the post-World War II international order was established under the domination of the West, which was led by the United States. Besides, western values are the dominant principle of the international order: on the one hand, the asymmetry between the pattern of international relations and international power, prevents emerging countries from participating in the supply of international public goods, and on the other hand, the United States’ intention to promote world bipolarity restricts international cooperation.

It's time to rebuild the international order. As the second largest economy in the world, China has the material basis, strong will and rich experience in international affairs. Consequently, China should play a leading role as a great power, providing Chinese solutions for the reconstruction of the international order. Specifically, China should resolutely maintain and engage in reforming the UN system, further advancing and leading the process of globalization. China should also advocate a strategy of "strengthening cooperation, healthy competition and controlling conflicts" with the United States, while continuing to practice multilateralism in an open, inclusive way that does not target any third country, and keeps balancing three pairs of relations in its international strategy to lead the remaking of the world order.