International Desk: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng has called for greater international cooperation and reforms to the global governance system, warning that the world is undergoing profound changes amid mounting global challenges and governance deficits.

Speaking at the plenary session of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia, Han said that “once-in-a-century transformations are accelerating worldwide, while global challenges and governance gaps continue to grow.”

He noted that China’s proposed Global Governance Initiative has already received support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations. Han added that the establishment of the Group of Friends of the Global Governance Initiative at the United Nations has sent a united message in support of multilateralism and opposition to unilateralism.

Emphasizing China`s role as the initiator of the initiative, Han said Beijing has been working with all parties through concrete actions to advance the reform and improvement of global governance mechanisms. He also highlighted that both China and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, shoulder important responsibilities in promoting the transformation of the global governance system.

During his address, the Chinese vice president put forward four key proposals for implementing the Global Governance Initiative, stressing the need to make international relations more democratic and to amplify the participation and voices of developing countries in global affairs.

Han further noted that 2026 marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which outlines a new blueprint for the country`s development and reflects its commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation with the rest of the world.

On the sidelines of the forum, Han held brief exchanges with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Source and Photo: Xinhua News Agency.