What does it mean to build a global community of a shared future? First put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, this idea is more crucial now as the world faces growing uncertainty and division. In this episode of "Diplomacy Talk," Koh King Kee, president of the Centre for New Inclusive Asia and a leading Malaysian scholar on China, examines how this vision has taken shape.

With more than 40 years of engagement with China, Koh explains why international cooperation and mutual learning are key to peace and progress. He contrasts this approach with the current inward turn in countries like the United States, noting that Asia's ongoing stability offers a valuable alternative. The continent, he adds, provides many examples of what a shared future could look like — including Malaysia's successful approach to multiculturalism. Could these models point the way forward for a divided world?

Clear and timely, this conversation shows why building a shared future matters now more than ever.

Following is the transcript of the interview.

Diplomacy Talk: Mr. Koh King Kee, you are one of the Malaysian scholars most knowledgeable about China. It is such a privilege to have you join us today on "Diplomacy Talk."

Koh King Kee: Thank you for your kind invitation. I have been following China's development for nearly 40 years, since the late 1980s, when I first visited the country. So, I have essentially witnessed China's reform and opening up process.

Diplomacy Talk: In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the vision of building a global community of a shared future while in Moscow. More than a decade has passed since then, and the international landscape has changed significantly. Against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions, climate change, and widening wealth disparities, how would you assess the practical urgency to follow up with this vision today?

Koh King Kee: In 2013, President Xi introduced the concept of building a global community of a shared future at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He emphasized that countries are more closely inter-linked and inter-dependent than ever before, and that humanity is increasingly emerging as a community of a shared future, with each having a stake in others. This concept serves as a guiding principle for global governance and has been widely recognized, especially by developing countries, as China's constructive response to global trends.

The world today is plagued by turmoil and many complex international issues, requiring cooperation among all countries in tackling them. No country can remain insulated from these shared challenges.

The United States has now the slogans of "Make America Great Again" and "America First." This means prioritizing its own interests above all else.

In contrast, China does not promote a "China First" mindset. Instead, it emphasizes mutual learning and exchange, highlighting a fundamental cultural difference between the two approaches. China's vision of a global community of a shared future is inclusive, aiming for progress and opportunities for all through win-win cooperation, not exclusion.

Since World War II, the international order has been dominated by the West, with everything set up to serve Western interests, values, and perspectives.

China takes a different approach. It advocates equality and mutual respect among all nations, regardless of size or how far away they are. When problems arise, China believes in consultation first. The vision of building a global community of a shared future is centered on peace, cooperation, mutual benefit, mutual learning and win-win solutions. The vision of building a global community of a shared future has become an increasingly vital response to our era of profound transformation.

Since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has sought to prioritize its own geopolitical interests. In this context, the vision reflects the rising influence of Third World nations. This vision dates back to the 1955 Bandung Conference, when developing and non-aligned nations — including China — gathered for the first time, with then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai addressing the conference. Today, as Third World and Global South nations continue their ascent, the vision of a global community of a shared future meets their collective aspirations and aligns with the fundamental interests of most nations.

Diplomacy Talk: Over the past few decades, Asia has sustained rapid growth, carving out a path of cooperation and development. As highlighted in the Boao Forum for Asia's 2025 annual report, despite mounting global economic uncertainties, Asia will remain the main engine of the global economy. In your view, what underlying principles of international relations have enabled Asia's enduring economic dynamism?

Koh King Kee: I must emphasize that Asia has generally maintained peace since the end of WWII. Peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development; and it is just vital.

Of course, China's rapid economic growth has significantly spurred development across the Asia-Pacific region. This is a pivotal factor, given China's vast market and economic magnitude.

Moreover, China's policy of maintaining good-neighborly relations is essential. How can any country develop its economy without stable relations with its neighbors? This underscores the importance of China's neighborhood policy, which strategically implements the vision of a global community of a shared future. Every aspect of this approach embodies the concept's core principles.

Diplomacy Talk: China has also proposed the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness for its neighborhood diplomacy, as well as building a community of a shared future among neighboring countries. How do you assess the impact of these Chinese initiatives on Asia's peace and stability?

Koh King Kee: China is the world's second largest economy. In the Asia-Pacific region, its demographic, economic and comprehensive strength make it an undeniably pivotal force. We won't deny that America is also very important. And China has no intention of challenging the U.S.' global position. Its focus is on its own development and on improving the lives of its people.

China's growth also offers opportunities for the world. Its rise is not about replacing others or undermining fairness, but about sharing development. The Chinese civilization has always emphasized peace, cooperation and harmony among nations. As an overseas Chinese, I deeply understand this cultural heritage.

Diplomacy Talk: As a multicultural country, Malaysia not only has the elements of the Chinese culture, but also sees the harmonious co-existence of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. What can we learn from Malaysia's experience to promote the building a global community of a shared future?

Koh King Kee: Malaysia is where the four major civilizations converge. Our successful experience in peaceful co-existence serves as a microcosm of a community of a shared future, providing the world with a model example. We have shown how different ethnicities, cultures, religions, and languages can live together in harmony — offering a global best practice in multicultural integration.

Diplomacy Talk: Do you think the vision of building a global community of a shared future can transcend differences in culture, religion, political systems and development levels, serving as the greatest common ground among civilizations?

Koh King Kee: I certainly believe it can. The vision of a global community of a shared future goes beyond national borders, ethnicities and political systems. What values do all people universally pursue? We can summarize them in the three aspirations: truth, goodness and beauty. Truth means dealing with each other sincerely; goodness calls for benevolence and kindness; beauty is our shared desire for wonderful things, happy lives, and a better world.

This idea has universal relevance. Confucian wisdom teaches:"Caught in difficulties, one should still hold himself to a high standard; when illustrious and influential, one should contribute to the well-being of all." Now that it has achieved development, China can share its experience and technology and have more trade with others. These can be examples of China's contribution to building a global community of a shared future.

Diplomacy Talk: What is ASEAN's perception of this vision? Are there any concrete examples within ASEAN's regional cooperation framework?

Koh King Kee: China and ASEAN are now advancing the vision of a shared future together. As close neighbors separated only by water, we share cultural and historical ties and have complementary economies. The community of a shared future is not just an abstract idea; it must be put into practice.

So, what does "shared" truly mean? In economics and technology, we see reciprocal exchanges, mutual learning and joint progress. On the cultural front, the visa-free arrangement between China and Malaysia has significantly increased people-to-people exchanges, which is crucial. While economic ties are important, it is the connection between our peoples that truly forms the foundation of our relations.

Diplomacy Talk: On the topic of people-to-people bonds, President Xi emphasized in a signed article that he hopes the Chinese and Malaysian peoples "will visit each other as often as family." Having travelled regularly between China and Malaysia, you have undoubtedly benefited from the mutual visa exemption policy initiated in April this year. As China continues to expand its visa-free arrangements, what broader or more profound impacts do you see beyond just easier travel?

Koh King Kee: On the one hand, China's visa-free policy for many countries demonstrates its confidence in itself, including in its culture. As the saying goes, "Seeing is believing." When people meet in person, it creates a unique emotional connection that deepens mutual understanding. Visa exemptions greatly facilitate these kinds of exchanges between nations.

On the other hand, the policy reflects a high level of mutual political trust between China and the relevant countries. Without such trust, visa-free arrangements would be impossible. If one country suspects the intentions of the other or is worried about security, openness isn't feasible.

Diplomacy Talk: Given your frequent visits to China, what overall impressions have you formed about the country, its people and its leadership?

Koh King Kee: China's transformation since the start of the reform and opening up has been remarkable — not only economically, but also culturally and in terms of human interaction. Malaysia began its New Economic Policy in 1970, while China started reform and opening up in 1978. At that time, China's per capita GDP was just 17% of Malaysia's. Yet about three decades later, China's per capita GDP has slightly surpassed Malaysia's, despite having a population of 1.4 billion. In fact, the population of Malaysia is smaller than the combined population of Beijing and Shanghai.

This comparison highlights a fundamental difference. The reason is simple: China's development philosophy is anchored in a people-centered approach. In my view, China serves as an excellent example for fellow developing nations, underscoring a key principle: a country can only truly prosper when the lives of ordinary people improve. That is the straightforward yet powerful logic behind China's success.

I first came to China in the late 1980s. A close friend, now departed, advised me at the time to walk through Tian'anmen Square in Beijing at dawn to truly experience the great spirit and grand ethos of the Chinese nation. One morning before sunrise, beneath a crescent moon, I followed that advice, and the moment left an indelible impression.

Despite relative material scarcity, the diligence of ordinary people was striking. The ding-ling-ling of bicycle bells echoed through the quiet morning air, alongside monumental architecture like the Great Hall of the People, Tian'anmen Square and the Monument to the People's Heroes.

To understand China, one must experience it firsthand, immersing oneself in the living tapestry of Chinese culture and the grandeur of its civilization.

Of course, I am a Malaysian citizen. Yet, culturally, as an overseas Chinese, I feel close to China and share the pride of Chinese heritage. That sense of ethnic affinity is deeply rooted.

Each time I visit China, I learn something new. Whether in first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, or in smaller ones called second and third-tier cities, I am impressed by the quality of urban planning. Developing countries can learn a great deal from China, especially in two key areas: poverty alleviation and green development.

I often say that to understand President Xi's leadership, we must view it in the context of China's historical development.

On Oct. 1, 1949, when Chairman Mao Zedong had led the Communist Party of China (CPC) to victory in the revolution, he declared, "The Chinese people have stood up!" That's why I believe the core of Mao's philosophy was opposing oppression.

Deng Xiaoping was the chief architect of China's reform and opening up. The core of his philosophy could be summed up as: "Development is the absolute principle."

From standing up, through reform and opening up, China has built a moderately prosperous society. Yet, this process has not been free from challenges, which include uneven development, regional disparities, and growing income inequality. These are issues that must be confronted.

In my view, the core of President Xi's philosophy — though my interpretation may not be definitive — includes an emphasis on fairness and justice, and on building a more equitable society. That's why he prioritizes poverty alleviation and the pursuit of common prosperity.

At the international level, this aligns with the vision of building a global community of a shared future — a reflection of President Xi's philosophy of justice and fairness on a global scale. This is a consistent principle. Domestically, China emphasizes fairness and equity. Globally, it advocates for a just and equitable international order in which all nations, big or small, are treated equally, cooperate and pursue mutual benefits.

The U.S. regards China as the only country with the capability as well as the intention to challenge its global leadership though China has repeatedly stated that it has no such intention whatsoever. China never seeks to replace the U.S.

Nevertheless, the Chinese government has been unequivocal about its right to development and emphasized that no one can obstruct China's development or impede the CPC's mission to deliver a better life for its people.

Diplomacy Talk: Mr. Koh King Kee, thank you once again for being with us. You are always most welcome to come back to China and see more of the country for yourself.

Koh King Kee: Thank you! I will certainly visit China very often.

Presenter: Gao Anming

General supervisor: Wang Xiaohui

Producer: Li Xiaohua

Production supervisor: Zhang Liying

Editors: Zhang Ruomeng, Zhang Heling, Jiao Yuan, Lyu Yiyi, Xia Fangting

Produced by chinadiplomacy.org.cn