Shared Future in Fragmented World: How to Reconcile It?

Lađevac, Ivona (2025) Shared Future in Fragmented World: How to Reconcile It? In: Risks for Serbian Foreign Policy in the Fragmentation of the International Order — Actors, Processes, and Outcomes. Institut za međunarodnu politiku i privredu, Beograd, pp. 203-218. ISBN 978-86-7067-363-2

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Abstract

In recent years, China has advanced the concept of a “community with a shared future for mankind” as a cornerstone of its foreign policy and global strategic vision. Emerging against a backdrop of growing global fragmentation—marked by geopolitical rivalry, economic inequality, cultural misunderstanding, and weakening multilateral institutions—this concept aims to offer an alternative framework for international cooperation and global governance. This article investigates the intellectual roots, political motivations, and global reception of this vision, focusing on its practical manifestation through four key Chinese initiatives: the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive diplomatic architecture through which China seeks to promote connectivity, sustainable development, security cooperation, and cultural dialogue on a global scale. While each initiative targets specific domains—economic infrastructure (BRI), development policy (GDI), peace and stability (GSI), and intercivilizational understanding (GCI)—they are united by a broader ambition to reshape the global order toward a more multipolar, inclusive, and interdependent future. This article critically assesses both the opportunities and the challenges inherent in China’s approach. It examines international perceptions, varying levels of endorsement and skepticism, and the tension between China’s normative rhetoric and its strategic interests. Ultimately, the paper argues that the success of the “shared future” paradigm depends not only on China’s leadership but also on its willingness to engage with diverse voices and foster genuinely reciprocal partnerships in a deeply divided world.

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