Insights for Sri Lanka from the Global Governance Initiative

| By Prof. Samitha Hettige

Over the course of more than 2,500 years, relations between Sri Lanka and China have remained broadly stable despite profound changes in regional political and economic landscapes. Whenever Sri Lanka has faced major crises, China has consistently extended support. Since 1949, China has also continued to uphold Sri Lanka’s legitimate interests in international forums, laying a solid foundation of strategic mutual trust between the two countries. Most recently, following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwa, China once again provided emergency assistance to Sri Lanka, carrying forward this long-standing tradition of mutual support.

At a time when the international system is undergoing rapid restructuring and countries of the “Global South” are simultaneously confronting heightened governance pressures and emerging strategic opportunities, the vision and practical pathways embodied in the Global Governance Initiative proposed by the Chinese leadership carry important contemporary relevance for Sri Lanka. The initiative offers meaningful reference points for enhancing national governance capacity, expanding strategic space, and strengthening international agency, while also providing valuable governance experience and cooperation models for other Global South countries.

Contemporary Relevance of Historical Foundations and Shared Values

Forged through centuries of interaction, the stability of Sri Lanka–China relations is rooted in long-standing principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence advanced by China have played a significant role in its external cooperation over the past half-century. The Global Governance Initiative, proposed by the Chinese leadership in September 2025, represents a global extension of these principles, emphasizing equality among states, inclusive governance, and collective consultation in shaping international rules.

For Sri Lanka, located at a strategic crossroads of the Indian Ocean and historically subject to external political influences, the principles advocated by the Global Governance Initiative—sovereign equality, the rule of international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and action-oriented cooperation—closely align with the country’s long-standing tradition of independence and non-alignment. Enhancing agenda-setting capacity and strategic autonomy within the global governance system is of particular importance for Sri Lanka’s future diplomatic orientation and national governance.

At the same time, Belt and Road cooperation projects such as the Colombo Port City have provided Sri Lanka with expanded options for economic development and national spatial transformation, strengthening its role in maritime connectivity and regional financial cooperation. Historical experience suggests that Sri Lanka requires stable and reliable partnerships in a complex external environment, and the Global Governance Initiative offers an institutionalized framework to support such cooperation.

Contributing to Greater Social Inclusiveness in Sri Lanka

A central pillar of the Global Governance Initiative is its people-centered development philosophy and emphasis on sustainable governance capacity-building. China’s governance experience underscores gradual progress and steady reform, with careful attention to balancing institutional development, social stability, and improvements in livelihoods.

For Sri Lanka, which is undergoing economic restructuring while facing fiscal pressures, heightened public expectations, and political transition cycles, these lessons are highly relevant. Reform requires not only a stable social foundation but also clear development objectives and pragmatic implementation pathways. The ecological civilization concept articulated by the Chinese leadership—often summarized as “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”—offers an important reminder for Sri Lanka, a country frequently affected by floods, storms, and landslides, that development must be pursued in harmony with environmental protection and long-term sustainability.

Moreover, Sri Lankan society has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout its 2,500-year history. This resilience resonates with China’s emphasis on the people as the fundamental source of strength in governance. The governance approaches highlighted in the Global Governance Initiative can contribute to enhancing the sustainability, inclusiveness, and long-term stability of Sri Lanka’s policy framework.

Creating Opportunities for Greater Representation of Developing Countries

In an era of accelerating multipolarity, the architecture of global governance is undergoing profound transformation, with emerging powers driving a shift from a single-centered system toward more diversified and interactive arrangements. China’s Global Governance Initiative, together with the Belt and Road Initiative, plays a constructive role in this process by creating new opportunities for developing countries to enhance their representation and voice in international affairs.

China has consistently advocated for the United Nations to retain a central leadership role in emerging areas of global governance and emphasized the participation of developing countries in setting rules and standards. This approach provides Sri Lanka with additional channels to articulate its interests more effectively in areas such as artificial intelligence, ocean governance, climate change, and security cooperation.

From the Global Governance Initiative, Sri Lanka may draw three key lessons. First, strengthening international coordination capacity by working with countries that uphold principles of fairness and inclusive governance, thereby expanding participation and policy influence within the United Nations and regional mechanisms. Second, advancing green and sustainable development by integrating ecological civilization concepts into national development strategies and enhancing climate resilience to reduce systemic risks from natural disasters. Third, reinforcing institutional governance by drawing on China’s gradual reform approach to optimize domestic governance structures and improve national stability in the face of both external shocks and internal transformation.

Overall, as the global order enters a period of deep adjustment, Sri Lanka stands at a new historical juncture. Drawing insights and experience from China’s Global Governance Initiative will help Sri Lanka steadily enhance its development capacity, strategic autonomy, and global engagement within a multipolar international system, while contributing to the construction of a more just, peaceful, and sustainable international order.

The author is Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Institute of Biotechnology, Professor at the Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership and Public Policy, Visiting Professor at the University of Kuala Lumpur’s Institute for Conflict Prevention and Strategic Studies, and former Advisor to the Sri Lanka National Education Commission.

The photo shows the scene of the commemoration event marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, held on September 3, 2025, by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka in Colombo. Professor Samitha Hettige (right) is presenting his academic work Justice, Peace, and the Ultimate Victory of the People to Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka.