September 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has expressed its support for a series of global policy frameworks put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the recent SCO Plus gathering in Tianjin, underscoring Colombo’s interest in advancing cooperative multilateral engagement.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, representing Sri Lanka at the high-level forum, welcomed the proposals with optimism, stating that the initiatives reflect principles that align closely with Sri Lanka’s foreign policy outlook.
Amongst the frameworks commended were the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the newly introduced Global Governance Initiative (GGI).
Minister Herath described the proposals as timely, noting their emphasis on sovereign equality, adherence to international law, people-centred development, and genuine multilateralism.
He further stressed that these values resonate with the growing demand amongst developing nations for a more balanced and equitable approach to global cooperation.
The summit, hosted in Tianjin, served as a platform for an expanded dialogue amongst Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states and partner nations, focusing on regional peace, economic integration, and a shared vision for future development. Discussions reflected a collective desire to move beyond zero-sum geopolitical posturing, with participants highlighting the need to build frameworks that serve mutual interests.
In his keynote remarks, President Xi urged the international community to embrace a new model of global governance that prioritises fairness, inclusivity, and pragmatic collaboration. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting countries in the Global South, reducing global disparities, and confronting emerging challenges that transcend national borders.
Whilst acknowledging persistent issues such as unilateralism, protectionism, and geopolitical rivalry, Xi emphasised that long-standing global aspirations for peace and cooperation still hold sway. He called for collective action to address these imbalances and reaffirmed the equal rights of all nations—irrespective of their size, influence, or economic strength—to shape the future of international affairs.
Minister Herath’s remarks echoed this sentiment, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s belief that genuine multilateral partnerships are vital to navigating the complexities of a rapidly shifting global order. He noted that the initiatives championed at the Tianjin summit provide a meaningful foundation for consensus-building in areas ranging from sustainable development to regional security.
