China’s State Council Information Office on Wednesday released a white paper titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions,” outlining Beijing’s vision for reforming the international governance system and promoting a more inclusive global order.

The document presents China’s approach to addressing global challenges through multilateralism, international cooperation, and stronger representation for developing countries, particularly those in the Global South.

According to the white paper, the world is facing profound transformations marked by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate change, technological disruptions, and widening development gaps. It argues that existing global governance mechanisms are increasingly struggling to respond effectively to these challenges.

The 36-page document emphasizes that the international system centered on the United Nations should remain the foundation of global governance, while calling for reforms to make international institutions more representative, equitable, and effective.

Central to the white paper is China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2025. The initiative seeks to answer two key questions: what kind of global governance system the world needs, and how existing structures can be reformed and improved.

According to the document, the initiative has received support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 countries joining the Group of Friends of Global Governance.

The white paper identifies five core principles underpinning China’s vision for global governance: sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and concrete action.

It stresses that all countries, regardless of size, strength, or level of development, should have equal rights to participate in global affairs. The document also advocates strict adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and opposes unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism.

China argues that global governance should not be dominated by a small number of developed countries and calls for stronger voices and greater representation for developing nations. The paper notes that the Global South now accounts for over 60 percent of the global economy based on purchasing power parity and contributes around 80 percent of global economic growth.

The white paper highlights China’s contributions to international peace and development, describing the country as a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of international order, and provider of public goods.

Among the initiatives highlighted are the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, which together with the Global Governance Initiative form what China describes as a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges.

The document points to China’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, support for conflict mediation, promotion of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and efforts to advance sustainable development.

It also highlights China’s role in climate governance, noting the country’s commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The white paper further emphasizes China’s efforts in artificial intelligence governance, biodiversity conservation, public health cooperation, and digital governance.

On international reform, the paper advocates greater representation for developing countries in institutions such as the UN Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. It specifically calls for addressing what it describes as historical injustices faced by Africa through enhanced representation in global decision-making bodies.

The white paper underscores China’s support for true multilateralism and its opposition to bloc politics and power-based international relations. It argues that global affairs should be discussed by all countries, governance systems built collectively, and development outcomes shared by all.

In the document, China calls on countries to work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, emphasising that cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect remain the most effective pathways for addressing the complex challenges facing the world.

Experts in diplomacy, governance and international relations have stressed the importance of knowledge sharing and policy dialogue in strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and China, describing mutual learning as a vital component of the expanding bilateral relationship.

The call was made during a roundtable discussion on “The Governance of China and Knowledge Sharing in Nigeria-China Cooperation: Implications for Mutual Learning,” organised by the Centre for China Studies and held at the China General Chamber in Abuja.

The forum brought together government officials, diplomats, academics, researchers and foreign policy analysts to examine governance practices and development experiences that could support stronger collaboration between the two countries.

Addressing participants, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Wang Jun, said China’s governance experience offers useful insights into addressing contemporary development challenges. He noted that the series , “The Governance of China,” which compiles speeches and writings of Chinese President Xi Jinping, provides a comprehensive understanding of China’s policy direction, development philosophy and governance approach.

According to him, the publication highlights practical strategies that have contributed to China’s socio-economic transformation, particularly in poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and long-term development planning.

Wang observed that China’s success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted development policies and strategic governance. He added that China remains committed to sharing its development experience with African countries while respecting their unique political, economic and social realities.

He stressed that sustained dialogue among scholars, policymakers and development practitioners would promote greater understanding and contribute to efforts aimed at improving governance and economic growth across the continent.

In his presentation, Director of the Centre for China Studies, Charles Onunaiju, said Nigeria-China relations have witnessed significant growth since both countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to China and participation in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

He noted that cooperation between the two nations has expanded across several sectors, including infrastructure development, agriculture, industrialisation, trade, investment, education and cultural exchange.

Onunaiju argued that beyond economic cooperation, intellectual engagement and policy-oriented discussions should become an important pillar of bilateral relations.

He maintained that deeper research collaborations and exchanges of ideas would help unlock new opportunities and ensure that the benefits of Nigeria-China cooperation reach broader segments of society.

Also speaking, Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, examined key themes contained in the five volumes of “The Governance of China” and related publications.

He said the books provide insight into China’s policy priorities, including poverty eradication, rule of law, ecological sustainability, national security, modernisation and international cooperation.

According to him, one of the major lessons from China’s development trajectory is the importance of designing policies that reflect a country’s specific realities while maintaining consistency in long-term national planning.

Ghali identified initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, environmental conservation programmes and policies aimed at promoting shared prosperity as examples of experiences from which developing nations could draw valuable lessons.

He further highlighted the growing scope of Nigeria-China collaboration in infrastructure, energy, media, technology and digital development, describing the relationship as increasingly strategic.

Participants at the dialogue agreed that continued engagement between academic institutions, government agencies and policy experts from both countries would help deepen mutual understanding and support the implementation of development-focused partnerships.

They described knowledge exchange as an essential tool for sustaining the momentum of Nigeria-China relations and advancing shared development objectives.

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Nigeria and China have deepened cultural cooperation with the unveiling of an innovative exhibition that combines traditional Chinese artistic heritage with modern virtual reality technology.

The event, hosted at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, attracted diplomats, government officials, students, artists, media professionals and cultural enthusiasts eager to explore China’s rich history and contemporary creativity through immersive experiences.

Speaking at the occasion, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Centre, Yang Jianxing, said the exhibition was designed to create a meaningful connection between tradition and innovation. He noted that by integrating classical art forms with advanced digital technology, visitors are offered a fresh perspective on Chinese civilisation.

According to Yang, the exhibition showcases works produced by emerging talents from some of China’s leading art institutions, including the China Academy of Art and the Central Academy of Fine Arts. The collection features calligraphy, paintings and seal-carving works that reflect both the enduring legacy and evolving character of Chinese artistic expression.

Yang described the exhibition as particularly significant as it coincides with preparations for the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China in 2026, a year that will also be observed as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Representing Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Permanent Secretary Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad emphasized the growing opportunities for collaboration between both countries. He observed that cultural engagement remains an important foundation for broader partnerships in science, technology and innovation.

Muhammad said Nigeria, as Africa’s largest population centre, stands to gain from sustained exchanges that promote knowledge-sharing, technological advancement and mutual understanding. He added that the event provides an avenue for strengthening existing bilateral agreements and expanding areas of cooperation.

Also speaking, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, praised the China Cultural Centre for its role in fostering closer ties between the two nations through cultural diplomacy.

Ndace highlighted the expanding partnership between VON and Chinese media and cultural institutions, noting that the collaboration recently resulted in the introduction of Mandarin-language programming on the national broadcaster. He said the initiative has contributed to improved communication and greater cultural awareness between Nigerians and the Chinese people.

The VON Director-General encouraged young people to embrace cultural diversity and learn from other traditions while maintaining pride in their own cultural identities. He further commended China’s success in preserving its heritage while harnessing technological innovation to engage new audiences.

Visitors to the exhibition explored a variety of traditional artworks and participated in interactive virtual reality sessions that offered a vivid glimpse into centuries of Chinese history and culture.