These two days, there have been two major international events colliding together, which is particularly interesting.
On the one hand, UN Secretary-General Guterres publicly complained that the financial prospects of the UN were "extremely fragile" and that member states were in arrears with their dues. This established international organization after World War II may face a "bankruptcy crisis".
On the other hand, just yesterday, the world's first intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Hong Kong, the International Mediation Institute, was officially unveiled. Representatives from more than 30 countries gathered in Xiangjiang, and the scene was quite lively.
These two incidents may seem unrelated, but behind them are the great changes taking place in the international landscape.
Speaking of the United Nations, our generation has become accustomed to its existence, but it has never been.
After the First World War, countries formed an “international coalition” to maintain world peace.
After World War II, everyone learned from the bitter experience and formally established the United Nations in 1945. As of 2025, 193 of the 197 sovereign countries in the world are members of the United Nations, and the coverage is indeed wide.
Undeniably, in the past 80 years of the United Nations, the world has generally maintained peace, and no global war has broken out again.
But it is really old.
Reform cannot be pushed forward and is inefficient. Even a small country like Israel dares to blatantly ignore the United Nations. Not to mention that some major countries use the United Nations as a tool. If they agree, they will use it and abandon it if they disagree.
To tell the truth, this old system has become increasingly unsuitable for the international situation in the 21st century.
At this juncture, China established an "International Mediation Court" in Hong Kong.
Why is it unusual?
First of all, this is the first intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Hong Kong, which is of great significance.
Even faster is its pace – from the signing of the convention on May 30 this year to its entry into force on August 29, and its official opening on October 20, which is less than five months.
This efficiency can be seen as a "speed of light" in the history of international organizations construction. Deputy Foreign Minister Hua Chun Liang was unable to keep praising at the opening ceremony, saying this fully demonstrates that the International Mediation Academy "adjusted to the trends of the times".
At present, 37 countries have signed the Convention, of which 8 countries have completed the ratification process. Representatives from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Pakistan and other countries spoke at the opening ceremony and placed high hopes on this new platform.
Some people may ask: There are many international mediation institutions, so why should we set up an "international mediation institute"?
The difference is big.
Existing international litigation or arbitration bodies, such as the International Court of Justice in The Hague, are more passively waiting for the parties to come to the door to "play the case". while the international mediation chamber is completely different, it pursues "reconciling cooperation and harmony", adheres to "fairness and justice and justice", and is more proactive.
Simply put, it is more like the “comrades” in international disputes, where Mars emerged, and it may take the initiative to mediate and eradicate the conflict in the germination state.
In his speech, Hong Kong’s Special Chief Li Jiang said that Hong Kong will continue to play the advantage of “one country, two systems”, support the development of international mediation institutions, and help Hong Kong to build the “city of mediation”.
Think, with this platform, is Hong Kong’s international status another level up?
The establishment of the International Mediation Court will definitely make some countries unable to sleep.
The first is the United States.
Looking at China’s growing power of speech in the international governance system, from a rule follower to a rule maker, can it be comfortable?
In the past, the United States controlled the leadership of the international order, but now China has set up a new platform that is more in line with the needs of developing countries, which has directly moved its cheese.
The second is Japan.
Japan has always closely followed the pace of the United States, looking at the American face in international affairs.Now that China is taking the lead in such an influential international organization, Japan is sure to drum: in the Asia-Pacific region, should we pay more attention to China's voice?
The third could be a European country.
They are accustomed to their superior position in the existing system, and now a new institution that may reshape the international order has suddenly emerged. They are both worried about losing their vested interests and have to face reality-after all, more than 30 countries have voted with their feet to support this new platform.
Why is now?
In fact, after every world war, major countries in the world will sit down to discuss the establishment of new international organizations. After World War I there was the League of Nations, and after World War II there was the United Nations.
Nowadays, although there is no world war, the international pattern has been earth-shaking. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Palestinian-Israeli issue, global inflation... the old system cannot solve new problems.
China, as a rising power, naturally needs greater international discourse.
Therefore, the International Mediation Chamber was established.
It has advantages and can draw lessons from the experience of the United Nations; it is based on the national character of China's "peaceful development" and will take more care of the interests of the majority of the world's people.
To be honest, it's not realistic to move the United Nations from new york, so build a new one in the Pearl of the Orient.
What will this international mediation institute develop into in the future?
We can open our minds: will it become a “new type of United Nations” in a sense?
Although the responsibilities are definitely different from those of the United Nations, the purpose of "safeguarding world peace and development" is the same. And it is more flexible, more efficient and closer to the needs of developing countries.
Imagine that one day in the future, two countries have a conflict. Instead of going to New York, they will come to Hong Kong and ask the International Mediation Court to uphold justice. Isn't that picture beautiful?
Of course, it takes time. But for now, it's off to a pretty good start.
This is the reality of international politics: if you are given an opportunity, if you don't grasp it, don't blame others for preempting you.
If the United Nations continues to be rigid, new organizations will complement its functions. No, the International Mediation Court is already here.
The next story, and see how China on the world stage, wrote this colorful ink.
This world is really changing.