As uncertainty gathers pace in the world, the aspiration for stability becomes more common among all peoples. I noted that several Caribbean leaders stressed the significance of security and stability for economic development during recent gatherings of regional government officials on security, and I couldn't agree more with them.

    It is true that security is the precondition for development. We humanity are living in an indivisible security community. An ancient Chinese philosopher observed, “Stability brings a country prosperity while instability leads a country to poverty.” In a world of change and disorder on the security front, President Xi Jinping put forward the important Global Security Initiative (GSI) on April 21, 2022, calling on countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset. The GSI aims to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the world. This major initiative has been widely commended and warmly received by the international community, among which more than 80 countries and a number of international organizations have expressed appreciation and support.

    As the initiator of the GSI, China has taken real actions to implement it over the past one year, with fruitful outcome yielded. We are committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We have had in-depth exchanges and communication on security concepts and policies with other parties to beat swords into plowshares and work for shared security. Not long ago, China issued the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper to further elaborate on the initiative's core ideas and principles as well as the priorities, platforms and mechanisms of cooperation.

    China has actively engaged in mediation diplomacy and made unremitting efforts for the political settlement of hotspot issues including the Iranian nuclear issue, the issues on the Korean Peninsula, the Ukraine Crisis, the Syrian issue and the Palestinian question. We've issued China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis and China's Position on the Afghan Issue, and stood firm on the side of peace. Not long ago, Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks in Beijing and achieved major outcomes. The two countries announced their decision to resume diplomatic relations, which is a successful practice of the GSI and sets a good example of how countries in the region can resolve disputes and differences and achieve good neighborliness and friendship through dialogue and consultation. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping just told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call that China will continue to facilitate talks for peace and make its efforts for early ceasefire and restoration of peace. China will send the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs to Ukraine and other countries to have in-depth communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

    China has actively advanced international security dialogue and exchanges. We facilitated the convening of the first China-Horn of Africa peace conference among African countries in the region, which reached important common understandings on regional peace, development and governance and injected positive energy into the efforts to uphold Africa's security and stability. China successfully held the second Middle East Security Forum and made a four-point proposal for fostering a new security architecture in the Middle East. We have also vigorously promoted exchanges and cooperation in the field of security on multiple platforms including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building measures in Asia and East Asia cooperation mechanisms to build consensus and synergy for tackling security challenges among the international community.

    China has actively participated in cooperation in the field of non-traditional security including COVID, counter-terrorism, biosecurity, cyberspace, food and climate change. China has put forward an initiative on international food security cooperation at the G20, and promoted the adoption of the BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation, offering China's solution for the global food security challenge. The launch of the center for disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries in February this year is China's another robust effort to help fellow developing countries cope with non-traditional security challenges.

    The reason for China’s pursuit of security is simple and clear: the development of a big country like China cannot happen without a secure international environment. Likewise, world security would not be possible without the security of China. The Communist Party of China proposed on its 20th National Congress that it would achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. In advancing modernization, China will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong. Until today, China is the only country in the world that has put in its Constitution the commitment to a path of peaceful development. China is the top contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the only country among the five Nuclear-Weapon States that has made the promise of no-first-use of nuclear weapons. We have joined over 20 multilateral arms control treaties, and pushed for the conclusion of a joint statement among the five Nuclear-Weapon States on preventing nuclear war. We advocate peaceful resolution of international disputes through consultation and dialogue. A modernized China will strengthen the force for world peace and international justice. No matter what level of development China achieves, it will never seek hegemony or expansion.

    China has put out 3 significant initiatives that benefit the global community over the previous 3 years. The Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and GSI combine to provide a complete response to the issues that humans face, and the ideas they touch are logically connected. The three are closely related since human history is one of constant quest of security, progress, and civilization. Security is the foundation for development, development is what propels safety, civilization is where development and safety take root, and at the same time, development and safety are how civilization evolves and advances. This is why the three Initiatives are pillars to the community with a shared future for humankind.

    Dear Grenadian friends, the common interest of all humankind is in a world that is united and peaceful, rather than divided and volatile. The GSI is an international public good and guardian of tranquility and well-being of people around the world. China stands ready to work with other parties to act on the vision of a community of shared security for humankind, practice true multilateralism and jointly address traditional and non-traditional security challenges.