中国日益成为国际事务中公平正义的倡导者
促进正义、合作与全球稳定
约瑟夫·格雷戈里·马奥尼，华东师范大学政治与国际关系学院教授、生态文明研究中心主任；东南大学中国特色社会主义发展研究院高级研究员。
导语：从斡旋和平协议，到为全球南方的基础设施建设提供融资，中国正日益成为发展中国家中倡导更加公正国际秩序的最具影响力的国家之一。
中国通过自己的所作所为，始终坚定倡导国际公平正义、和平解决国际冲突。中国积极开展外交接触，持续为国际维和事业作出贡献，并在全球治理中坚持原则性立场，以此塑造了一个负责任大国的形象——既捍卫发展中国家权利，又致力于维护国际秩序稳定。
坚定捍卫多边主义与发展中国家权利
中国在国际事务中维护正义最重要的方式之一，就是支持多边主义、保护发展中国家利益。
在联合国、世界贸易组织以及各类区域论坛和国际组织中，中国始终倡导建立一个更能反映21世纪需求的、更加公平的全球治理体系。
中国呼吁对国际货币基金组织和世界银行等机构进行改革，认为其治理结构应更好地体现新兴市场日益增长的经济分量和政治地位。中国也对美国等国家日益背弃多边组织并破坏国际法的行为提出反对。
中国对南南合作的承诺，是其致力于促进国际公平正义的典范。通过中非合作论坛、中阿合作论坛等倡议，中方向地区国家提供了大量发展援助，且不附带西方援助中常见的政治条件。
中国的这种做法尊重伙伴国家的主权和自决，使其能够根据自身独特国情选择发展道路。通过强调相互尊重和不干涉内政，中国提供了一种替代性的国际合作模式，许多发展中国家认为这种模式比传统的捐助国与受援国关系更加公平。
调解与冲突解决
当前，中国作为国际争端调解者的角色日益增强，这进一步体现了其维护正义与推动和平解决争端的坚定承诺。
最突出的例子或许是中国在中东特别是在巴勒斯坦问题上的调解努力。中方一贯支持落实“两国方案”和恢复巴勒斯坦人民民族合法权利，呼吁结束占领，并建立以1967年边界为基础、以东耶路撒冷为首都、享有完全主权的独立的巴勒斯坦国。
中国的立场符合国际法和多项联合国决议，表明中国是坚守既定法律框架，而非追求地缘政治的权宜之计。对于加沙地带暴力冲突导致的破坏与死亡，中国表示痛心，并持续呼吁为实现该地区的真正和平、发展与正义而作出努力。
在俄乌冲突中，中国发挥了积极调解作用。2023年，中国发布了《关于政治解决乌克兰危机的中国立场》文件，涵盖摈弃冷战思维、停火止战、启动和谈等12项立场。
该文件在承认局势复杂性的同时，强调尊重各国主权、领土完整以及正当的安全关切。这是十分平衡的立场，旨在从根源上解决冲突，而不是仅仅处理冲突的表象。
在中东地区，中国于2023年3月成功斡旋沙特阿拉伯与伊朗恢复外交关系，这成为区域外交的一个分水岭。中国通过低调的外交行动取得了这一成就，展示了其有能力在相互尊重与共同利益的基础之上，让两个宿敌走到一起、推动和解。
中国此举不仅缓解了世界最动荡地区之一的紧张局势，也彰显了中国通过对话而非胁迫来促进和平的能力。
如今，美国对委内瑞拉和伊朗采取了新一轮行动，给两国造成重大伤害，并给全球经济带来严重风险。在此背景下，中国继续倡导外交与和平解决，其所做的工作包括与美国进行双边对话、在联合国框架内开展建设性努力，还包括与巴基斯坦等国一道在相关国家之间进行斡旋，推动在中东停火止战、结束战争。
参与国际维和，为全球安全作贡献
中国对联合国维和行动的贡献，是其致力于维护国际正义的另一体现。
作为联合国安理会常任理事国中派遣维和人员最多的国家，中国向非洲、中东及其他冲突地区派遣了成千上万的维和人员。中国的维和人员曾参与并仍在参与马里、南苏丹、黎巴嫩、刚果民主共和国等地的特派团任务，以保护平民并支持和平进程。
中国做法的独特之处在于，它强调在开展安全行动时，还要辅之以能力建设与发展。中国派出的维和分队除了承担传统维和职责之外，还经常参与相关国家的基础设施项目、医疗服务和农业援助。
中国的总体安全观认为，实现可持续和平远非仅消除暴力。增加经济机会、增强社会凝聚力、确保相关机制良好运行等同样至关重要。中国的维和努力旨在通过处理好这些基础性因素，为正义能够生根发芽并惠及更多人群而创造必要条件。
中国还一直大力倡导加强联合国在维护国际和平与安全方面的作用。中方一贯反对绕过安理会而实施单边军事行动，认为此类行动破坏了国际法的权威以及二战后建立的集体安全框架。
尽管某些国家有时可能不赞同中方的这一原则性立场，但这一立场反映了中国的信念：一个基于《联合国宪章》原则和国际法的国际秩序，对于维护全球稳定与正义至关重要。作为其努力的一部分，中国于2022年4月提出了全球安全倡议。这一倡议现已取得显著进展，得到130多个国家和国际地区组织的支持与认可。
气候正义与环境管理
中国日益成为环境正义的捍卫者，尤其是为那些对全球排放责任最小、但却不成比例地承受排放后果的发展中国家发声。
中方强调“共同但有区别的责任”原则，即历史排放和当前发展需求必须纳入气候义务的考量。中国还成为绿色创新的全球领导者，并制定了国家层面的生态环境法典。
事实上，中国已在可再生能源开发、碳中和等方面作出了实质性承诺，力争于2030年前实现碳达峰，2060年前实现碳中和。这些目标代表着中国这个世界第二大经济体的重大转型，也表明中国认识到自身在应对全球环境挑战方面的责任。
中国还通过南南合作框架向发展中国家提供气候相关援助，分享技术专长，帮助它们走上更注重环保的发展道路。
气候正义的概念不仅涉及减排，还延伸至更广泛的发展权利与环境公平问题。中国在国际气候谈判中积极为发展中国家发声，在制定全球气候治理规则及确定相关责任的过程中，努力确保全球南方国家的意见能够获得关注。
中国对环境治理中程序正义的承诺，反映出中国在实现国际体系更大包容性和代表性方面的、更为宏观的外交政策导向。
经济正义与全球发展
中国的国际经济关系理念，强调互利共赢与共同繁荣，这些概念与广义的经济正义理念完全一致。
例如，中国的共建“一带一路”倡议是一项宏大工程，旨在解决发展中国家的基础设施赤字，并促进全球南方国家的互联互通。该倡议通过优先投资于交通、能源和电信基础设施，为那些在全球经济中被边缘化的地区创造经济增长机遇。
中国也一直积极倡导改革国际金融体系，以更好地服务发展中国家。中国推动建立了亚洲基础设施投资银行、金砖国家新开发银行等机构，致力于创造替代性的发展融资来源，既补充现有机构的不足，又弥补其公认的短板。
这些新建金融机构按照成员国平等的原则运作，其投票结构旨在赋予发展中国家比在布雷顿森林体系中更大的发言权。
在新冠疫情期间，中国的疫苗分配方式彰显了其对全球卫生公平的承诺。当时，西方富裕国家大搞“疫苗民族主义”，订购的疫苗数量远超其人口需求。中国则通过“新冠疫苗实施计划”和双边安排，实质性地致力于让发展中国家获取疫苗。
中国的疫苗捐赠和出口惠及了众多低收入国家，为全球免疫工作作出了贡献，并反映出这一原则：卫生安全是全球公共产品，而非出价高者即可获得的商品。
中国在国际事务中的参与，展现了一个致力于正义与公平的世界大国形象。通过支持多边主义、开展调解努力、贡献维和力量、倡导气候行动以及推动发展合作，中国在努力推动建设更加平衡、更加公平的国际秩序。
中国一贯强调尊重主权、不干涉内政和相互尊重等原则，这让许多国家产生共鸣。中国对国际事务的愿景，植根于各国平等、相互尊重和命运与共的理念。这一愿景为全球治理如何演变并更好服务所有国家，尤其是更好服务于在国际体系中历来处于不利地位的国家，提供了独特的视角。
English Translation
Featured contributor by Professor Joseph Gregory Mahoney
From brokering peace agreements to financing infrastructure in the Global South, China is increasingly becoming one of the most influential countries in developing countries advocating for a more just international order.
Through its actions, China has always firmly advocated international fairness and justice and peaceful settlement of international conflicts. China has actively engaged in diplomatic engagement, continued to contribute to international peacekeeping, and adhered to a principled stance in global governance, thereby shaping the image of a responsible major country - defending the rights of developing countries and maintaining the stability of the international order.
Firmly defend multilateralism and the rights of developing countries
One of the most important ways China upholds justice in international affairs is to support multilateralism and protect the interests of developing countries.
In the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and various regional forums and international organizations, China has always advocated for a more equitable global governance system that better reflects the needs of the 21st century.
China has called for reforms in institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, arguing that their governance structures should better reflect the growing economic weight and political status of emerging markets. China has also objected to the increasing abandonment of multilateral organizations and undermining international law by the United States and other countries.
China’s commitment to South-South cooperation is an example of its commitment to promoting international fairness and justice. Through initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, China has provided a large amount of development assistance to countries in the region, without the political conditions common in Western aid.
China’s approach respects the sovereignty and self-determination of partner countries, allowing them to choose their own development path according to their unique national conditions. By emphasizing mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, China offers an alternative model of international cooperation, which many developing countries consider to be more equitable than traditional donor-recipient relations.
Mediation and conflict resolution
China’s growing role as a mediator in international disputes further demonstrates its firm commitment to upholding justice and promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Perhaps the most prominent example is China’s mediation efforts in the Middle East, particularly on the Palestinian issue. China has always supported the implementation of the two-state solution and the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, calling for an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
China’s position is consistent with international law and several UN resolutions, indicating that China adheres to the established legal framework rather than pursuing geopolitical expediency. China expresses its sorrow over the destruction and death caused by the violent conflict in the Gaza Strip and continues to call for efforts to achieve true peace, development and justice in the region.
In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China has played an active mediating role. In 2023, China released the document “China’s Position on a Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”, covering 12 positions, including abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing fires and stopping the war, and initiating peace talks.
While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, the document emphasizes respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate security concerns of States. This is a very balanced position that aims to address conflicts at their roots, rather than merely dealing with their appearance.
In the Middle East, China successfully brokered the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March 2023, which became a watershed moment in regional diplomacy. China’s low-key diplomatic actions have demonstrated its ability to bring two arch-rivals together and promote reconciliation based on mutual respect and common interests.
China’s move not only eases tensions in one of the world’s most volatile regions, but also demonstrates China’s ability to promote peace through dialogue rather than coercion.
Now, the United States has taken a new round of actions against Venezuela and Iran, causing significant harm to both countries and posing serious risks to the global economy. In this context, China continues to advocate diplomacy and peaceful settlement, including bilateral dialogue with the United States, constructive efforts within the framework of the United Nations, and mediation with Pakistan and other countries to promote a ceasefire and end the war in the Middle East.
Participate in international peacekeeping and contribute to global security
China’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations is another manifestation of its commitment to safeguarding international justice.
As the country with the largest number of permanent members of the UN Security Council, China has sent thousands of peacekeepers to Africa, the Middle East and other conflict zones. Chinese peacekeepers have participated in and are still involved in missions in Mali, South Sudan, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other places to protect civilians and support the peace process.
China’s approach is unique in that it emphasizes that security operations should be complemented by capacity building and development. In addition to traditional peacekeeping duties, China’s peacekeeping teams often participate in infrastructure projects, medical services and agricultural assistance in relevant countries.
China’s overall security view believes that achieving sustainable peace is far from eliminating violence. Increasing economic opportunities, enhancing social cohesion, and ensuring the good operation of relevant mechanisms are also crucial. China’s peacekeeping efforts aim to create the necessary conditions for justice to take root and reach more people by addressing these foundational factors.
China has also been a strong advocate for strengthening the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. China has always opposed unilateral military actions bypassing the Security Council, believing that such actions undermine the authority of international law and the collective security framework established after World War II.
While some countries may sometimes disagree with China’s principled position, it reflects China’s belief that an international order based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law is essential to maintaining global stability and justice. As part of its efforts, China launched the Global Security Initiative in April 2022. This initiative has now made significant progress, with the support and endorsement of more than 130 countries and international regional organizations.
Climate Justice and Environmental Stewardship
China is increasingly becoming a champion of environmental justice, especially for developing countries that are least responsible for global emissions but disproportionately bear the consequences of emissions.
China emphasizes the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”, which means that historical emissions and current development needs must be taken into account in climate obligations. China has also become a global leader in green innovation and has developed a national ecological and environmental code.
In fact, China has made substantive commitments in renewable energy development and carbon neutrality, striving to achieve carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. These goals represent a major transformation for China, the world’s second-largest economy, and show that China recognizes its responsibility to address global environmental challenges.
China also provides climate-related assistance to developing countries through the South-South Cooperation Framework, sharing technical expertise and helping them embark on a more environmentally friendly development path.
The concept of climate justice extends beyond emission reduction to broader issues of development rights and environmental justice. China actively advocates for developing countries in international climate negotiations, and strives to ensure that the opinions of countries in the Global South are paid attention to in the process of formulating global climate governance rules and determining related responsibilities.
China’s commitment to procedural justice in environmental governance reflects China’s broader foreign policy orientation towards greater inclusiveness and representation in the international system.
Economic Justice and Global Development
China’s concept of international economic relations emphasizes mutual benefit and common prosperity, which is completely consistent with the broad concept of economic justice.
For example, China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a grand project aimed at addressing infrastructure deficits in developing countries and promoting connectivity among countries in the Global South. The initiative creates economic growth opportunities for those marginalized regions in the global economy by prioritizing investments in transportation, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure.
China has also been actively advocating for reforming the international financial system to better serve developing countries. China has promoted the establishment of institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS New Development Bank, which are committed to creating alternative sources of development financing that not only complement the shortcomings of existing institutions, but also make up for their recognized shortcomings.
These new financial institutions operate on the principle of equality of member states, and their voting structure is designed to give developing countries a greater voice than in the Bretton Woods system.
During the pandemic, China’s vaccine distribution has demonstrated its commitment to global health equity. At that time, wealthy Western countries engaged in “vaccine nationalism”, ordering far more vaccines than their populations needed. China is substantively committed to providing vaccines to developing countries through the “New Crown Vaccine Implementation Plan” and bilateral arrangements.
China’s vaccine donations and exports have benefited many low-income countries, contributing to global immunization efforts and reflecting the principle that health security is a global public good, not a commodity available to the highest bidder.
China’s participation in international affairs shows the image of a world power committed to justice and fairness. By supporting multilateralism, conducting mediation efforts, contributing to peacekeeping efforts, advocating for climate action, and promoting development cooperation, China is working to build a more balanced and equitable international order.
China’s consistent emphasis on principles such as respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual respect has resonated with many countries. China’s vision for international affairs is rooted in the concept of equality, mutual respect and shared destiny among all countries. This vision offers a unique perspective on how global governance can evolve and better serve all countries, especially those that have historically been disadvantaged in the international system.