The United Nations grew out of the global co-operation which defeated fascism. It was conceived as a multilateral organisation to deliver a global rules-based order.

These co-operation objectives are currently under the greatest threat they have ever been in 80 years. China has taken up the batons of global co-operation that have been dropped by other members of the UN.

China’s response to the destruction of the global trading system, through the imposition of unilateral erratic sanctions, provides a clarion call for co-operation and restoration of the global rules-based order promoted by the United Nations. In contrast, Europe and Australia have been slow to respond and have sought individual survival outside the UN structure in preference to collective action.

A series of five initiatives proposed by China are a move to restore the original objectives of the United Nations by supporting multilateral solutions. China’s words and deeds place the UN at the centre of global governance where disputes are resolved through diplomatic means and dialogue. Australia sees this leadership as evidence of a Chinese conspiracy and hence offers little support.

These policy commitments recognise a global rules-based order is built on co-operation, inclusion and multilateral decision-making. It is China that has worked with, and speaks for, the Global South to ensure that the views of the many are heard, rather than just the dictates of the few. The Global South sees some kinship because China has faced, and overcome, the same problems of poverty and foreign interference that they have experienced.

An early indication of China’s support for greater inclusion of the Global South in world affairs came at the 2020 G7 meeting in Davos.

President Xi highlighted the concerns of smaller nations who were struggling out of the COVID-induced problems and dealing with adverse economic impacts triggered by a rapid rise in US interest rates. For perhaps the first time, those outside the G7 had a powerful economic spokesman on their side.

Xi’s comments were part of China’s broader commitment to the idea of global governance that reflected a wider concern for inclusion of the global south in economic discussions and policy. Often treated with cynicism by Western commentators, these commitments are followed by genuine action. The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation is one example alongside China’s engagement with poverty reduction programs in Africa.

China has promoted the collective interests of the Global South and contributed to the empowerment of developing countries with its constructive engagement in the United Nations.

One often overlooked example of China’s quietly determined support for global co-operation is its involvement in UN humanitarian programs. China’s approach to the UN emphasises the economic and social goals of co-operation.

Better global co-operation rests on global stability. China has become increasingly involved in supporting the United Nations and its humanitarian activities. This includes the use of defence forces for disaster relief and rescue, and international peacekeeping. China’s only foreign port base in Djibouti is mischaracterised as evidence of China’s expanding military footprint when, in fact, it is for support of UN operations.

China is the second largest funding contributor to international peacekeeping. China’s manpower contributions exceed the total contributions made by the five other members of the UN Security Council.

Currently, there are about 2200 Chinese military peacekeepers committed to six UN peacekeeping missions. Since 1990, more than 30,000 Chinese peacekeeping personnel have participated in more than 20 peacekeeping missions. China is actively involved in leading peace training workshops and seminars.

China’s overseas activity in support of UN operations is regarded as a priority in its international relations policy. In contrast, it has been some considerable time since Australian forces donned the blue beret.

China’s involvement in peacekeeping and international humanitarian work requires co-operation with other governments and agencies and this has greatly enhanced the way Beijing works in the international environment.

China has increased its involvement in and support for the mechanisms of the UN at a time when some other UN members have remained mute in the face of attacks on the organisation. China’s involvement in UN activities has become more sophisticated, with broader and sustained support for the working divisions of the United Nations. China acknowledges the UN is about much more than just trade and economics.

China’s experience of tackling poverty means it understands the role health, education, hunger and poverty alleviation have to play in creating a stable, prosperous world.

The 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is a story of structural tensions overcome to deliver a global rules-based order that underpinned a prolonged period of stability. That order is today under unprecedented threat from those who reject the foundation principles of global co-operation.

At times, UN rulings were begrudgingly accepted, and at times, honoured more in the breach than in compliance, but the structure of co-operation was not seriously challenged. That has changed with the application of unilateral sanctions and leading countries choosing which UN resolutions they will accept or ignore. The US denial of visas to some UN representatives is an attack on the fundamental principles of the UN and global co-operation.

Until recently, there was no serious suggestion that the UN ought to be abandoned and that the legacy of global co-operation created by the UN should be discarded.

The batons of global co-operation are slipping from the hands of some UN members and it requires resolute action to take the leadership in restoring the co-operative multilateral approach to global governance. China has proposed several initiatives designed to both support the functions of the UN, and to reaffirm the co-operative nature of the UN.

China proposed a Global Development Initiative at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, with a view to speeding up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the international community and achieving more robust, greener and more balanced global development.

Most recently, the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China further demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core. This is the fourth global initiative proposed by China and follows the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative.

China has stepped up support for the United Nations as some others have stepped away from their UN obligations. These five Chinese initiatives all affirm the co-operative and inclusive objectives that underpinned the foundation of the United Nations.

The formal implementation of these types of initiatives reinvigorates the role and relevance of the modern United Nations as it moves beyond its 80th anniversary.

The 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN is a suitable time to reaffirm the co-operative objectives of the UN and the role it plays in creating and sustaining a multilateral global order. It may not be perfect, but it is a preferred outcome when the alternative is a fascist-style domination of international relationships.

A version of this article was published by China Daily.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.