TIANJIN, China, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Leaders and experts across the world have welcomed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting, saying it reflects the international community's aspirations for an inclusive and balanced world order.

In his speech at the meeting, held in northern China's port city of Tianjin on Monday afternoon, Xi called on countries to adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate a people-centered approach and focus on taking real actions.

Quoting an ancient Chinese philosopher, he noted: "Uphold the Great Principle, and the world will follow." His remarks underscored China's push for reforming the global governance system, in line with its earlier proposals on global development, security, and civilization.

Experts have welcomed the GGI as a timely and comprehensive framework that builds on China's earlier proposals on global development, security and civilization, emphasizing its potential to foster international cooperation, address pressing global challenges, and promote a more balanced, inclusive and rules-based international order.

"We have certainly listened attentively to everything that is proposed by Mr. Xi Jinping to create a new, more efficient and functional global governance system," Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting, stressing that Russia supports the initiative.

The SCO could take on a leading role in efforts to form a more just and equal system of global governance in the world, Putin said. "It would be truly balanced and would take into account the interests of the widest possible range of countries, and would guarantee opportunities for their sustainable development and security."

At a time when unilateralism and protectionism are undermining the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms, the GGI comes at the right moment, offering fresh wisdom and solutions for improving global governance, said Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club.

Noting that China has consistently been at the forefront of upholding multilateralism and maintaining a high level of openness to the world, and has thus become a leading driver of economic globalization, Perry said that this gives added authority and persuasiveness to the initiative.

Faruk Boric, president of the Association of Friendship between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina, called the GGI a "logical continuation" of the Belt and Road Initiative and earlier Chinese proposals, including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

The evolution from three to four global initiatives, Boric said, injects fresh momentum into building a community with a shared future for humanity, offering constructive, institutionalized solutions for all nations to strengthen cooperation based on equality and trust.

While many world leaders resort to "temporary, surface-level" tactics, Xi provides profound, systemic solutions rooted in China's centuries-old political philosophy, he said, adding that this reflects China's responsibility as a major country in the world to safeguard world peace and stability and promote global cooperation.

Through its global initiatives, China offers a new mindset and political framework for tackling today's challenges -- one centered on inclusiveness, mutual respect and common development, said Abu Bakr al-Deeb, a political economy researcher and advisor to the Cairo-based Arab Center for Research and Studies.

The GGI, in particular, seeks to make the international system more inclusive and effective by expanding the participation of developing countries in global decision-making, thereby ensuring that multilateralism and equality are truly practiced, said al-Deeb.

Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan scholar on international relations, said that the GGI, anchored in core principles such as sovereign equality, multilateralism and real actions, reflects China's vision for a more equitable, stable, prosperous and peaceful world.

It offers practical, consensus-building pathways to mending the broken international governance architecture that has failed to provide sustainable solutions to pressing challenges such as underdevelopment, unchecked hegemony, climate crisis and unilateralism, said Adhere.

"Under the GGI, President Xi envisions a world where every country has a right to pursue its legitimate interests, irrespective of size, a scenario where countries come together to build a just world where responsibility and benefit are shared," he said.

The GGI demonstrates China's strategic foresight and its commitment to building a more just and equitable international order, said Amadou Makissa Diallo, a Guinean political analyst. ■