Xi Jinping Proposes a Global Security Initiative but Does Not Elaborate

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: A screen shows Chinese President Xi Jinping making a keynote speech via video link during the Boao Forum for Asia's opening ceremony on April 21, 2022, at a media center in Boao, Hainan province, China. /Source: Kevin Yao/REUTERS

On April 21, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested a "global security initiative" that preserves the notion of "indivisible security," a term embraced by Russia. Still, he did not elaborate on how such an initiative would implement.

Xi stated in a video address at the annual Boao Asia Forum that the globe should respect each country's sovereignty and territorial integrity while also taking into account their "legitimate" security concerns.

"We should uphold the principle of indivisibility of security, build a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture, and oppose the building of national security based on insecurity in other countries," Xi said at the conference on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.

 

Russia has stressed in talks over Ukraine that Western governments adhere to a 1999 accord based on the idea of "indivisible security," which states that no country may increase its security at the expense of others. In recent years, China and Russia have grown close. Also, China didn't denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, which Moscow describes as a "special operation" to demilitarize the country. Instead, China has attributed the Ukraine conflict to NATO's expansion to the east.

Analysts note that this is the first time China has advocated for "indivisible security" outside of the Russia-Ukraine issue, which could impact U.S. policy in Asia.

"If China deems actions by the U.S. and its allies on Taiwan or the South China Sea as disregarding its security concerns, it could evoke the concept of 'indivisible security' to claim the moral high ground in retaliation," said Li Mingjiang, an associate professor at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

According to Wang Jiangyu, a law professor at the City University of Hong Kong, by invoking the concept of "indivisible security," which originated in Europe, China could aim to increase the legitimacy of its actions in defense of its vital interests.

Xi also reaffirmed China's opposition to unilateral sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction" without directly addressing the West's punitive steps against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

China has regularly criticized Western sanctions, including those against Russia, but has also been cautious not to assist Moscow in any way that could result in Beijing facing repercussions.

Xi acknowledged that efforts are needed to stabilize global supply chains but added that China's economy is resilient and has not deviated from its long-term trajectory.

To access the full text of Xi Jinping's speech at the 2022 Boao Forum for Asia, Click Here.

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