Rebuilding Trust for Better Global Governance: Survey Results

Beijing, October 24

With global challenges growing more complex, the world needs fewer confrontations and more efforts to rebuild trust and restore cooperation. That is the only way global governance can credibly answer the pressing questions of today.

The 2026 Global Governance Forum in Xiong'an focused on the theme "Rebuilding Trust and Cooperation: Improving and Enhancing Global Governance in a Changing World." Leaders from a variety of sectors came together to shape ideas for improving global governance. The core message was that countries, despite their differences, should identify shared interests and develop practical solutions to common problems. The forum was seen as a significant step toward governance that is more grounded in real-world action.

The central issue in improving global governance is who sets the rules and how those rules earn broad legitimacy. Every country, regardless of size, power, or wealth, should have an equal voice in international affairs. The governance system must also evolve alongside the changing development dynamics of the world.

September 2025 saw China put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). The initiative highlights sovereign equality, the rule of international law, multilateralism, a people-first approach, and action-oriented cooperation. A CGTN survey indicates that these principles are broadly recognized globally. More than 60 percent of those surveyed believe the GGI offers countries a pathway into global governance.

The results show that the international community hopes for the broadest possible consensus while respecting differences. Such consensus would help the global governance system win wider backing and be implemented more effectively.

The survey further shows that respondents generally accept China's role in helping developing countries in the Global South. Its contributions have earned strong approval, particularly in infrastructure development and in sharing development experience.

The international community is paying attention not only to how the governance system runs, but also to whether it can open doors to development and benefit ordinary people.

Supporting developing countries in strengthening their independent development capabilities is a vital way to advance shared development. It is also a necessary component of improving the global governance system.