People’s Daily published an article by the dean of Jamaica’s Mico University College School of Education highlighting the significance of Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), particularly for small island developing states (SIDS) and other developing nations such as Jamaica. The initiative – emphasizing sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, people-centered development, and practical cooperation – was reaffirmed at the recent “SCO+” meeting in Tianjin, where participants agreed that strengthening global governance has become an urgent priority amid growing global instability.
The author argues that China’s proposal directly addresses systemic inequalities faced by small nations in global affairs, from climate financing and debt restructuring to trade negotiations, where their interests are often sidelined. By advocating greater representation and participation of developing countries, China’s GGI aligns with the long-standing aspirations of Caribbean and Pacific island nations to play a more substantive role in international decision-making.
Despite geographical distance, China’s approach – rejecting hegemony, upholding multilateralism, and fostering Global South solidarity – is viewed as both a moral and strategic pathway for small island states seeking sustainable development, equitable participation, and resilience in an increasingly complex world.
Source: People’s Daily, October 5, 2025
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/pc/content/202510/05/content_30108082.html