On October 20, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Italy held a China-themed day event. Ambassador Jia Guide delivered a keynote speech on "Safeguard International Order and Improve Global Governance". The full text is as follows:

Your Excellency Ambassador Ferrara,
Deputy Director Polli, 
Dottore. Di Filippo,
Secretary-General Bartolomucci,
Dear students,

Good afternoon!

Welcome to the Chinese Embassy! It's a real pleasure to have you here. I want to start by thanking the Festival della Diplomazia for its support in organizing today's event.

It's wonderful to see so many young students taking such an interest in China, and I look forward to sharing some thoughts on the current international situation, on China-Europe and China-Italy relations — and, most importantly, to have an open exchange of ideas with you. 

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Not long ago, our Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a successful visit to Italy. He met with President Mattarella, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani, and co-chaired the 12th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee. The two sides agreed to build a more stable and fruitful China-Italy partnership and deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

What I want to highlight is that during this visit, both sides had a very candid and in-depth discussion about the current international situation. Both sides agreed that, as two ancient civilizations, China and Italy can — and should — draw inspiration from our rich history to offer rational and practical solutions to the global challenges we face today.

President Mattarella expressed support for the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, and welcomed the initiatives proposed by our President Xi Jinping, saying they truly meet the needs of the international community and the aspirations of the people. This shows that China and Italy champion the same values — peace, dialogue, and cooperation.

Dear students,

This year also carries special meaning for the Chinese people — and in fact, for all the people around the world, as it marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

Eighty years ago, the Chinese people fought with great courage on the Asian battlefield for fourteen long years, sustaining over 35 million casualties to defeat Japanese militarism. In doing so, China made a major strategic contribution to the ultimate victory in the global anti-fascist war.

After two world wars, nations came together to create the United Nations—the foundation of today's international order, and a turning point in human history.

Over the past 80 years, the UN has grown from 51 to 193 member states. The democratization of international relations has made real progress. The principle of not using force, and the collective security mechanism under the UN Security Council, have ensured general peace and prevented a third world war.

Trade agreements like the GATT, and its successor, the World Trade Organization, established an international trade system that promotes globalization and free trade. The concept of sustainable development and global cooperation to address climate change have put humanity on the right path — one that balances growth with environmental protection for future generations.

Today, hundreds of international institutions and over 600 global treaties help manage almost every aspect of human life. We can truly say that the UN-centered international system, and the international order based on international law, have brought peace, progress, and development to the world.

But 80 years later, the world is entering a new era of profound changes and growing uncertainty.

Crises such as the conflict in Ukraine and the fighting in Gaza remain unresolved and continue to shake regional stability. Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise again. Tariffs are being used excessively, harming globalization and trade. Some countries put their own interests above the common good, withdrawing from treaties and organizations, denying the outcomes of World War II, and even calling climate change a "hoax". The authority of the United Nations and the postwar international order are being seriously challenged.

Meanwhile, new technologies and industrial revolutions are transforming the global balance of power. Developing countries, often called the Global South, still do not have enough representation or voice in global governance. Our existing institutions are struggling to keep up — they are no longer enough to meet the complex and rapidly evolving challenges of today's world.

In response to these challenges, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit this past September.

This initiative is built around five core principles: upholding sovereign equality, adhering to international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating people-centered approach,and focusing on taking real actions.

Let me briefly explain what these mean:

Sovereign equality emphasizes that all countries — big or small, rich or poor — should take part in global governance, engage in decision-making, and enjoy the benefits on an equal footing.

Respect for international rule of law means that all countries — without exception — must participate in shaping, maintaining, and applying the rules that guide our world.

Practicing multilateralism means that we must solve global issues through coordination and cooperation, not through unilateral actions or power politics.

A people-centered approach reminds us that global governance is ultimately about people — about improving lives, reducing poverty and inequality, and protecting our planet from the threat of climate change.

And to be truly effective, we must move from words to actions— turning our promises into progress, and our commitments into changes that people can see and feel.

This initiative has been welcomed by many countries. But some voices claim that China is trying to rewrite the current international order or build an alternative one. That is simply not true.

China was proud to be the first country to sign the UN Charter. As both a founding member and a beneficiary of the postwar international order, China is deeply committed to preserving and enhancing it. The Global Governance Initiative is fully consistent with the UN Charter. Its goal is to strengthen the current system, not replace it — to make global institutions more effective and more responsive to the challenges of our time.

China has no intention of building a new one from scratch, nor do we support any attempt to tear down the system that already exists.

Dear students,

The Earth is our one and only home. In the face of global challenges, China, Europe, and all countries are in the same boat — our futures are closely linked.

Europe, like China, helped build the postwar international order and remains a vital pillar of today's multipolar world. Both China and Europe firmly uphold multilateralism, support the central role of the United Nations, and believe that disputes should be resolved through peaceful dialogue.

In fact, the trajectory of China-Europe relations reflects the changing landscape of global governance. The more complex the international situation becomes, the more precious certainty and stability are, and the more crucial it is that we work together.

China and Europe should do four things together:

1. Defend multilateralism and global fairness.

The world is facing all these problems, not because the United Nations is outdated, but because the UN Charter's purposes and principles have been distorted or ignored.

The Chinese and European leaders have met multiple times this year. During these occasions, both sides reaffirmed strong support for the UN's core role. China and Italy have, for many years, maintained close communication and cooperation on UN Security Council reform. China is ready to work with Europe to reform and strengthen the UN, making it more effective and practical.

It is also worth emphasizing that Taiwan's return to China is part of the victory of World War II and the postwar international order. The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (1971) resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including the Taiwan region, in the UN. The principle of sovereignty is the cornerstone of the UN Charter. Respecting this principle naturally means supporting China's reunification and opposing any form of "Taiwan independence".

2. Promote open and fair global trade.

China and Europe are both champions and beneficiaries of economic globalization and free trade. In 2024, the EU recorded an overall trade surplus of 147 billion euros, with exports from Italy, Germany, and France accounting for 33%, 42%, and 34% respectively of their GDPs. Numbers show that Europe, more than ever, depends on global markets and open trade.

China and Europe must stand together to uphold a rules-based international trading system centered on the World Trade Organization. We are each other's major trading and investment partners, with annual trade making up a quarter of the global total — a relationship of deep, mutual interdependence. As former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi recently noted, given this clear economic connection, any pretense of decoupling completely from China is gone.

Just today, in Beijing, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China opened, focusing on the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development. China will continue to pursue comprehensive reform, expand high-level opening-up, and build a business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and up to international standards.

China is on track to become the world's largest consumer market and is ready to import more high-quality European goods, including "Made in Italy" products. We also welcome European companies to invest, grow and thrive in China. At the same time, we hope Europe and Italy will approach cooperation with the same spirit of openness, deepen engagement with China and ensure a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses.

3. Deepen green cooperation and strengthen climate governance.

Climate change is a challenge that affects all of humanity. Green transition is the sure path towards sustainable development on a global scale. While some country is acting against it, the international community should stay focused on the right direction, remain unwavering in confidence, unremitting in actions and unrelenting in intensity.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a pivotal year for countries to submit their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). China has announced its new NDCs: China will, by 2035, reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels, striving to do better.

The EU has long been a global leader in green and low-carbon development, with ambitious carbon neutrality targets of its own. Green cooperation has long been the most distinctive feature of China-Europe and China-Italy partnerships, from jointly advancing the Paris Agreement to implementing a wide range of renewable energy projects. So long as China and Europe work side by side, the momentum of global climate action will not be reversed.

4. Promote mutual respect and dialogue among civilizations.

Human progress comes from diversity and mutual learning — not from one civilization dominating all the others.

Think about it: the ancient Romans built on the Greek architecture to create those magnificent domes in churches and temples— masterpieces that continue to leave us in awe. Civil law today still carries the legacy of Roman law. In the same way, China's philosophy of "harmony in diversity" resonates deeply with Europe's idea of "unity in diversity".

Today, the spirit of the ancient Silk Road is shining even brighter. China and Italy have pioneered partnerships between UNESCO World Heritage sites. Italy has twice returned Chinese cultural relics. After hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022, China passes the torch to Italy, which is ready to impress the world with the 2026 Games. China has extended its visa-free policy for Italians, and Italy has now become one of the European countries with the most direct flights to China.

Since President Xi Jinping launched the initiative last year to double the number of European students visiting China, nearly 400 Italian students have already made the journey to China, experiencing its development and charm. China is willing to work with the EU and Italy to strengthen the important people-to-people bonds and promote human progress through mutual learning among civilizations.

Dear students,

We live in an era brimming with challenges, yet rich in hope. As the younger generation, you are the builders of the future and the hope of China-Italy and China-Europe relations. China and the Chinese Embassy in Italy will always keep our doors open to you. We hope that you will strive to be the "Marco Polos" of the new era, carrying forward the messages of friendship, cooperation and peace, and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you very much!