Wang Yi Warns ‘Law of the Jungle’ Returning to Global Affairs

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Wednesday that the “law of the jungle” is making a comeback in international relations, arguing that the regression stems not from an outdated UN Charter but from the international community’s failure to uphold it. Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Wang released a major white paper titled “Building a More Just and Equitable Global Governance System: China’s Concepts, Initiatives and Actions,” as reported by The Paper.

A Return to Multilateralism’s Roots

“More than 80 years ago, it was precisely because of the human catastrophe caused by the rampant ‘law of the jungle’ that the international community, learning from the ruins of two world wars, chose to embrace multilateralism and founded the United Nations,” Wang said. “Today, if multilateralism appears to be malfunctioning, it is not because the UN is no longer important, but precisely because the UN’s authority and role have not been respected and utilized.”

The remarks came during a State Council Information Office press conference at which Wang, joined by five other senior officials, unveiled the approximately 20,000-character white paper. Published in eight languages, the document outlines China’s comprehensive vision for reforming global governance, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Global Governance Initiative

The white paper serves as the flagship document for the Global Governance Initiative, formally proposed by President Xi Jinping in September 2025. It is the fourth in a series of major global initiatives from Beijing, following the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. Together, they form a comprehensive framework for building a “community with a shared future for mankind.”

According to the white paper, the Global Governance Initiative has already garnered support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 nations joining the “Group of Friends for Global Governance.” The initiative centers on five core principles: upholding sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-centered approach, and focusing on action orientation, as detailed in Xinhua’s live coverage of the press conference.

A Sustained Diplomatic Campaign

Wang’s “law of the jungle” warning is not an isolated statement but part of a sustained Chinese diplomatic messaging campaign. The foreign minister has used the metaphor repeatedly over the past year — at the National People’s Congress in March 2025, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2026, and most recently at the UN “Group of Friends for Global Governance” meeting on May 28, where he proposed nine reform directions for global governance, as reported by Xinhua.

The timing of the white paper’s release is significant. China is hosting APEC 2026 (“APEC China Year”), and the document serves as a foundational statement of Beijing’s governance vision. The white paper explicitly criticizes “certain countries bullying the small and weak” and “forming small cliques and circles” — language widely interpreted as a rebuke of U.S. unilateralism and “America First” policies.

China’s Evolving Role

The white paper highlights China’s growing footprint in international institutions. China is the first country to sign the UN Charter, and its contribution to the UN regular budget has grown from less than 1% in 2000 to over 20% today, making it the second-largest contributor. Beijing has participated in 29 UN peacekeeping missions, deploying over 50,000 personnel.

Wang emphasized that China is positioning itself as a champion of the Global South, noting that developing countries contribute 80% to world economic growth but remain marginalized in global governance institutions. The white paper calls for increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in international financial institutions and the UN Security Council.

Looking Ahead

Wang outlined four priority areas for China in 2026: revitalizing open regionalism ahead of the APEC summit, strengthening governance in emerging fields such as AI, reinforcing governance platform construction, and building global governance consensus. He announced that China will host the first “Xiong’an Global Governance Forum” this autumn and is accelerating plans to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

“Reforming and improving global governance is a mission entrusted to our generation by history,” Wang said. “It requires firm confidence and unremitting efforts.”

The white paper concludes with a call for the international community to “hold high the torch of multilateralism” and work together toward a more just and equitable global governance system. With nearly 160 countries already on board with the Global Governance Initiative, Beijing’s vision is rapidly becoming a central framework for international cooperation — and a key point of contention in an increasingly polarized world.