I. The Global Governance Initiative Offers a Solution for Our Times to the North-South Gap

As profound changes unseen in a century continue to evolve across the globe,international challenges such as power politics, economic bullying, technological decoupling and unilateral sanctions have become increasingly prominent, placing global governance under severe strain. Gaining deep insight into the changes of the times and addressing the future of humanity, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting on September 1, 2025. The GGI calls on the international community to uphold sovereign equality, abide by international rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate a people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions, with a view to building a more just and equitable global governance system. It offers a Chinese solution for all parties to work together to address the global governance deficit, advance peace and development for humanity, and build a community with a shared future for humanity. It fully demonstrates President Xi's political wisdom and strategic vision.

The GGI is consistent with and complementary to the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, with each initiative having its own focus. From different dimensions, the four initiatives inject positive energy into a world of turbulence and transformation. The GGI is another important public good China has offered to the world. Since it was put forward, the initiative has received broad recognition and positive responses from the international community, and is increasingly demonstrating strong appeal and vitality. By pooling the strength of all parties, focusing on development and peace, and unlocking new opportunities and avenues for cooperation, the GGI provides a sound response to the critical development challenges facing the world, particularly the Global South, and points the way forward for human progress.

II. China's Zero-Tariff Policy for Africa Put the GGI into Practice

Eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that the fruits of development benefit the people of all countries more fully and equitably are important goals of the GGI. Since May 1 this year, China has fully implemented zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines for products from all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China. This is a major step in China's effort to advance high-standard opening up. It also brings significant opportunities for African countries to expand exports to China, upgrade their industries and improve people's livelihoods. In 2025, bilateral trade between China and Uganda reached 2.1 billion U.S. dollars, up 43.5 percent year on year. China's imports from Uganda rose by 74.7 percent, while exports of specialty Ugandan products such as coffee and aquatic products to China doubled, demonstrating enormous potential. This has provided strong momentum for Uganda to strengthen its capacity for independent development and improve social governance.

In 2000, the United Nations established the Millennium Development Goals, making the eradication of extreme poverty and other objectives common tasks for the international community. In 2015, the international community adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and established 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The principles of the GGI resonate with the United Nations development agenda, providing valuable support for Uganda as it consolidates stability and development and sets an important benchmark for lasting peace and stability in Africa.

III. The Abuse of Tariffs is a Common Enemy of International Fairness and Justice

The United States has indiscriminately imposed tariffs on more than 180 countries and regions, severely disrupting global supply chains and the stability of the global economic order, and seriously undermining the legitimate development rights and interests of the Global South. Since January 2024, the United States has removed Uganda and other countries from eligibility for preferential treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). In 2025, it also imposed an additional 15 percent tariff on Ugandan exports to the United States. In essence, these measures use the tariff stick to exert maximum pressure on African countries, standing in stark contrast to China's zero-tariff policy for Africa.

Faced with protectionism, unilateralism and bullying, China has chosen to open its market wider rather than erect barriers, and to share development opportunities rather than pursue zero-sum games. China practices true multilateralism, firmly upholds the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and actively works to build a more just and equitable, more inclusive and effective global governance system. China firmly believes that global governance should not be measured against the interests of a handful of countries, but should serve the common well-being of humanity.

Africa is not a bystander in global governance; it is an important participant. China stands ready to work with African countries and other members of the Global South to expand opportunities through openness, build consensus through cooperation, and jointly advance a more just and equitable global governance system, and make steady progress toward the great goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.