Column: China's cooperation-based security approach holds practical significance amid global instability

The essence of China's security vision is simple yet profound: no country can or should ensure its own security at the expense of others. This principle, echoed in President Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative (GSI), calls for moving beyond the outdated Cold War mentality that pits blocs and alliances against each other.

by Serik Korzhumbayev

In an era of geopolitical turbulence, with conflicts flaring and trust eroding among major countries, a pressing question looms: how can lasting security be achieved in an increasingly unstable world? Traditional approaches, often characterized by military alliances, zero-sum thinking and confrontation, have fallen short of delivering peace.

In stark contrast, China has championed a different path, one grounded in cooperation, mutual respect and shared security. As a Kazakh observer and participant in international affairs, I believe that China's cooperation-based security approach offers a practical and much-needed blueprint for stability.

SECURITY THROUGH COOPERATION, NOT CONFRONTATION

The essence of China's security vision is simple yet profound: no country can or should ensure its own security at the expense of others. This principle, echoed in President Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative (GSI), calls for moving beyond the outdated Cold War mentality that pits blocs and alliances against each other.

It advocates for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security -- highlighting that the peace and safety of one nation are deeply intertwined with those of all nations. Rather than forming exclusive military blocs or enforcing one-sided sanctions, China emphasizes resolving disputes through diplomatic consultation and inclusive multilateralism.

The guiding philosophy is that when nations work together on security challenges, everyone stands to gain and when they work at cross purposes, everyone is at risk.

GLOBAL INITIATIVES OFFER A PRACTICAL PATH

China has not only theorized about cooperative security, but also translated this vision into initiatives and actions on the world stage. The GSI, unveiled by President Xi in 2022, has since won support from over 120 countries and international and regional organizations.

In March 2023, China facilitated a landmark reconciliation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran -- two regional rivals whose estrangement had fueled years of proxy conflicts. China has also consistently advocated for a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis, urging ceasefires and negotiations over escalation.

In partnership with other countries, China has put forward proposals emphasizing respect for sovereignty and addressing all parties' legitimate security concerns. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, China has called for dialogue and humanitarian ceasefires, even hosting talks between Palestinian factions in an effort to foster unity.

These efforts reflect a belief that most conflicts, no matter how protracted, ultimately require dialogue and compromise -- principles at the heart of cooperative security.

Beyond conflict mediation, China's initiatives also target the root causes of instability. The Global Development Initiative and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) complement the security approach by promoting economic development and connectivity, particularly in vulnerable regions.

The logic is straight-forward: poverty and underdevelopment can breed unrest, so investing in infrastructure, energy and employment is an investment in long-term peace.

REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS ANCHOR STABILITY

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana in July 2024, leaders from Eurasia reaffirmed that strengthening multilateral dialogue is key to sustainable peace and prosperity. Under Kazakhstan's chairmanship, the Astana Declaration emphasized unity, mutual respect and the rejection of zero-sum geopolitics.

Notably, the summit adopted an initiative on world unity for a just peace, harmony and development, which is very much in line with China's vision of a fairer world order where nations big and small work side by side to address common challenges.

Economic cooperation further reinforces regional stability, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and undercutting the appeal of extremist ideologies. Take Kazakhstan as an example: it has embraced the BRI to become a vital link in Eurasian connectivity, hosting new rail lines, logistics hubs and energy pipelines that knit nations closer together.

According to data from China's General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between China and the five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, reached almost 95 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.

COOPERATIVE SECURITY GUIDES A SHARED FUTURE

In today's multipolar world, China's cooperation-based approach to security is emerging as a compelling alternative, one that aligns with the hopes of many nations for a more stable and equitable international order.

China's cooperation-based security approach treats security as a collective enterprise rather than a zero-sum competition. The practical significance of this approach is evident in how it has guided responses to recent crises.

The lesson is clear: lasting solutions require broad buy-in. Whether it is curbing nuclear risks, countering pandemics, or addressing climate-related security threats, no nation can go it alone. Cooperative mechanisms are not just idealistic slogans; they are practical necessities in the face of transnational challenges that recognize no borders.

To be sure, the cooperation-based security approach faces headwinds. Deep-seated mistrust between major countries, entrenched geopolitical rivalries, and occasional bouts of unilateralism can all impede collective action. There is also the task of ensuring that initiatives like the GSI deliver tangible results and remain inclusive of diverse voices -- not only those of major countries. However, these hurdles only highlight the importance of perseverance and dialogue. The progress made thus far shows that patience and partnership can yield real results.

As we step into a new year, the world's security landscape remains fraught with uncertainties. Yet there is a growing understanding that a paradigm shift is underway. The Chinese-proposed cooperation-based security approach is no longer just a theory discussed at conferences; it is being tested and proven in various corners of the globe.

For countries large and small, including Kazakhstan, this approach holds real, tangible value. It offers a path to reduce conflict by addressing each party's concerns, to pursue development hand-in-hand, and to build an environment where all can thrive without fear.

In a time of upheaval, such a path is not only pragmatic -- it may well be humanity's best hope for a peaceful and secure future.

Editor's note: Korzhumbayev is the editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper and a Kazakh media veteran.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.■