Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 8, 2023

 

Multilateralism and the International Rule of Law

(Abstract)

 

Liao Fan

 

International law is the universal discourse of the international community, and multilateralism is a strong support for such universality. The international law-based international order is an integral part of true multilateralism, while the so-called “rules-based international order” reflects, to a large extent, a selective multilateralism. True multilateralism is the achievement of the development of human civilization, transcending and reforming the law of the jungle, hegemony and power politics, and thus breaking new ground in the theory and practice of global governance. The international rule of law should be guided by true multilateralism to safeguard an open multilateral system with the United Nations at its core, to defend the authority and unity of international law, to provide more institutional public goods to the international community on the basis of consultation and cooperation, and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind through the reform and improvement of global governance.