International Perspective
The Path to Cooperation Among the Global South: China’s Approach
2024 is set to be a landmark year for cooperation among the Global South. As a key member of this global family, China is consistently taking practical steps to foster unity and rejuvenation among developing countries. From commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to successfully hosting the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China has been actively supporting the successful organization of significant events like the “Big BRICS” summit in Russia and the G20 and APEC meetings in Brazil and Peru. These efforts aim to build platforms for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among developing nations while cultivating consensus and tangible outcomes, thus paving a unique Chinese path that harnesses the collective power of the Global South.
China advocates for mutual respect and cooperation toward modernization paths that suit each country’s unique context. In the face of a rapidly changing world, some Western nations persistently apply double standards, exerting pressure and exploiting the vulnerabilities of developing countries. Many nations in the Global South struggle with limited capacity to safeguard their sovereignty and a lack of international voice. As the world’s largest developing country, China has successfully navigated its own path to modernization, debunking the myth that modernization equates to Westernization. This approach broadens the choices available to developing countries in their modernization journeys, emphasizing respect for each nation’s autonomous decisions and fostering an environment of inclusive dialogue and harmonious coexistence.
In pursuing mutually beneficial outcomes, China remains steadfast in advancing pragmatic cooperation. Recent years have seen a rise in anti-globalization sentiments, eroding consensus on openness, leading to localization and regionalization of global production and supply chains, and widening the gap between the Global North and South. As the world’s second-largest economy, China actively promotes a global development initiative aimed at building an open world economy, avoiding discriminatory or exclusionary standards, and fostering trade, investment, and technological collaboration. This commitment is recognized by many Southern nations, who view China as a “contributor of opportunities” and a “source of hope.” By aligning its global development initiative with crucial international agendas like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, China works to safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries. Initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative create platforms for cooperation, sharing development opportunities and establishing models of mutually beneficial partnerships, as seen in the implementation of the “Eight Common Actions” between China and Arab nations, the steady progress of the “Ten Partnerships” with Africa, and the evolving China-Latin America Community. Additionally, China supports the expansion of cooperation mechanisms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, fostering market demand and invigorating development quality across the Global South.
China is committed to principles of fairness and justice while actively engaging in reforming the global governance system. The acceleration of global changes and the emergence of multiple overlapping crises have highlighted governance deficits, raising challenges for the transformation of governance systems. As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, China upholds a vision of global governance characterized by joint consultation, construction, and shared benefits. It staunchly supports a UN-centered international system, advocates for democratization of international relations, and calls for enhanced representation and voice for developing countries to play more significant roles in international affairs. Recently, China, along with Brazil and other like-minded countries in the Global South, established a “Friends of Peace” group regarding the Ukraine crisis, exemplifying the South’s dedication to political resolutions of pressing global issues and bolstering peace and security.
In promoting the mutual appreciation of cultures, China seeks to enrich the global civilization landscape. In response to certain nations asserting “civilizational superiority” and creating divides, China is advocating for a global civilization initiative that respects and safeguards cultural diversity, promoting dialogue and shared prosperity among different civilizations. Recent initiatives that utilize compact digital platforms and intelligent applications are empowering independent media in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, enhancing dialogue among the Southern nations and enabling them to narrate their own civilizational stories and foster cultural exchanges more effectively.
As we stand at a crossroads in humanity’s development, China remains committed to uniting the Global South, forging a shared destiny with developing nations, and exploring pathways toward mutual prosperity. This commitment serves to inject the “power of the Global South” into the promotion of a multi-polar world characterized by equality and order, as well as inclusive and widespread economic globalization.
Zheng Tao
(Author is an observer of international issues)
