Navigating a new global security situation

Editor's Note: The China Institute of International Studies released the Report on the Global Security Situation 2025 in Beijing on April 20. CIIS President Chen Bo said the report identifies key characteristics of the global security landscape in 2025, including an increasingly tense global security situation, a polarized trend in contributions to world peace and justice, more frequent security challenges across various geopolitical hot spots, and China's prominent role as a stabilizing force for world peace. Below are excerpts from three speakers sharing their views on the topic.

Four levers to safeguard global security

In response to the evolving international security landscape, efforts should be made to advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity by focusing on four key dimensions: promoting peace, putting people first, taking preventive measures, and safeguarding the role of the United Nations in global affairs.

First, curb the escalation and spread of regional conflicts. It is essential to stay committed to a political settlement. History has repeatedly shown that the use of force cannot resolve international disputes; it only intensifies tensions. Coordinating security with development offers both the framework and the practical pathway for achieving lasting stability.

Besides, adopt a people-centered approach to alleviating humanitarian crises. Hundreds of thousands of people in the Middle East have been displaced, and extensive civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. The food and energy crises triggered by conflicts are further spreading through global supply chains, severely impacting populations, particularly in less-developed regions. All parties must refrain from exploiting humanitarian assistance for political or military purposes. Moreover, humanitarian access and delivery methods should not be used as bargaining chips by stakeholders.

Additionally, take preventive measures to forestall potential crises. International security threats are becoming increasingly cross-domain and complex, exacerbated by certain major powers striving to maintain so-called absolute strategic superiority in areas such as nuclear technology and artificial intelligence. In light of threats to resume nuclear testing or military strikes targeting nuclear facilities, the international community must uphold international regulations on nuclear arms control and nonproliferation. It is also alarming that AI is being integrated into the kill chains and decision-making processes of warfare by certain countries. It is imperative to prevent technology from spiraling out of control.

Moreover, stay committed to the original aspiration and uphold the central role of the UN in international security affairs. The four global initiatives proposed by China align closely with the spirit of the UN Charter, forming an integrated framework that seeks to promote prosperity through development, ensure stability through security, enhance trust through dialogue among civilizations, and advance justice through governance. Development remains a timeless theme of human society, and it is essential to stay highly vigilant against the growing trend of security risks encroaching upon the development domain. It is vital to coordinate development and security on a global scale.

Redefining security in an era of global interdependence

In an era defined by unprecedented interconnectivity, rapid technological advancement, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the concept of security has undergone profound transformation. Security, as we know it, is no longer confined to traditional military confrontation. In today's world security now encompasses a broader spectrum of risks, including cyber threats, climate change, pandemics, and the intricate interplay of economic and political instability.

Among the most urgent of these challenges is cybersecurity. Cyberattacks possess the capacity to disrupt economies, undermine governance, and threaten the safety and livelihoods of individuals. Their anonymity and the difficulty of attribution render conventional response mechanisms insufficient. This evolving threat landscape underscores the need for enhanced international cooperation in the development of robust and coordinated cyber defense strategies.

Terrorism remains another significant and evolving global threat. The proliferation of digital platforms has enabled extremist ideologies to spread with unprecedented speed and reach, facilitating recruitment and operational coordination. While governments continue to strengthen counter-terrorism measures, the underlying drivers — poverty, marginalization, and ideological extremism — remain deeply entrenched. Addressing these root causes through sustained diplomatic engagement, education, and inclusive economic development is essential to achieving lasting stability.

Climate change has emerged as a defining security challenge of our time. Beyond its environmental implications, it acts as a threat multiplier — intensifying resource scarcity, exacerbating displacement and migration, and heightening the risk of conflict, particularly in regions already burdened by political fragility. As pressures on natural resources increase, so too does the potential for competition and instability, reinforcing the urgent need for collective climate action.

At the same time, the global security architecture is being reshaped by a shifting balance of power. The post-Cold War unipolar moment has gradually given way to a more multipolar international system, characterized by strategic competition and evolving alliances. In this context, multilateral institutions — foremost among them the United Nations — have an indispensable role in conflict prevention, peace building, and the coordination of humanitarian responses, even as they confront increasing complexity and constraint.

The global security environment in 2026 is marked by fragmentation and the resurgence of nationalist tendencies. Major players are actively competing across technological, economic and environmental spheres, the result of which is spillover effects that disproportionately impact smaller and more vulnerable states. Yet, opportunities emerge out of this complexity. Interconnectivity, while presenting new vulnerabilities, also offers pathways for deeper cooperation and shared solutions. The international community must therefore renew its commitment to diplomacy, invest meaningfully in sustainable development, and strengthen collective mechanisms for addressing transnational threats.

Navigating the evolving security landscape will require sustained political will, mutual trust, and a steadfast commitment to multilateralism. While the challenges are considerable, they are not insurmountable. I remain hopeful that with coordinated action and a shared vision for global stability, we can navigate the complexities of global security.

SCO a sustainable contributor to global security

On the one hand, the international system is moving toward a more just, equitable, and representative multipolar structure, which presents new opportunities for shared development and mutually beneficial cooperation among nations. On the other hand, intensifying geopolitical rivalries pose severe threats to regional and global peace and stability. Against this backdrop, many countries are seeking effective pathways to ensure both sustainable security and development.

Over the past 25 years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, making joint efforts with like-minded countries and international organizations and guided by the Shanghai Spirit, has continuously advanced multilateral cooperation in political, security, economic, people-to-people exchanges and cultural fields. This has contributed to lasting peace and stability in the region, enhanced the well-being of people and improved the global governance system.

The SCO supports the United Nations' central coordinating role in international affairs and adheres to the UN Charter and other universally recognized principles of international law. Our member states actively uphold both traditional and nontraditional security, opposing the pursuit of absolute security for oneself at the expense of others. Through SCO cooperation, we strive to lay the groundwork for an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia, while promoting sustainable development to ensure sustainable security.

The CIIS security report serves as an important reference for understanding China's perspective and proposals regarding the global security landscape, particularly from the academic community. The SCO Secretariat maintains close communication with academic circles in member states and facilitates exchanges among scholars through platforms such as SCO forums. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO. In autumn, Kyrgyzstan will host the SCO Summit in Bishkek. It is hoped that think tanks from member states, represented by the CIIS, will offer valuable insights on the SCO's future development. This will help contribute an SCO solution for reforming and improving regional and global governance and achieving lasting peace and shared development.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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