Xie Chuntao: Contributing Chinese Wisdom and Strength to the Collective Progress of the "Global South" Toward Modernization
Achieving modernization is the common expectation of people across all nations and the shared pursuit of "Global South" countries. Historically, Southern countries occupied a long-term position as latecomers in the global modernization process, harboring an intensely strong desire for development. Through unremitting struggle, the "Global South"—represented by emerging markets and developing countries—has risen as a collective, growing significantly in momentum and stature. Over the past 20 years, its contribution to global economic growth reached as high as 80%, and over the past 40 years, its share of global GDP has increased from 24% to over 40%. Alongside the rise of its aggregate strength, the "Global South" is profoundly reshaping the world's economic map and has become a pivotal force in the transformation of the international order.
As we witness this historic moment of the "South Rising like a Tide," we also face the reality of the development imbalance between the North and the South. Today, as the world's changes unseen in a century [1] accelerate, the modernization process of human society once again stands at a historical crossroads. Southern countries face unprecedented opportunities and challenges in achieving modernization. The greater the winds and waves of the times, the more one must "bravely stand at the forefront of the tide" [2]. Whether in global governance or development and prosperity, the "Global South" should not be absent. Grasping vital opportunities, seeking strength through unity, making the "Southern Voice" heard, and demonstrating "Southern Responsibility" on the journey toward the dream of modernization—these have become the sacred historical missions shoulder by the "Global South."
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "China is always a member of the Global South and will forever belong to the developing world." China was born in the South, cares for the South, and is rooted in the South, always sharing the same breath and destiny as other Southern nations. Like the vast majority of Southern countries, China was once a latecomer to modernization. Through untold hardships and immense efforts, we successfully blazed a path of Chinese-path modernization and achieved world-renowned successes in modernization construction. Now, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core is uniting and leading the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups nationwide, confidently advancing the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization. In achieving modernization, China does not seek to be a "solitary blossom" [3]; rather, it hopes for a "garden where a hundred flowers bloom." We sincerely aim to provide more wisdom and strength to the "Global South" and are committed to joining hands with Southern countries to create a beautiful future for human modernization.
Chinese-path Modernization Has Expanded New Pathways for the "Global South" toward Modernization
The beautiful vista of modernization is aspirational, yet the journey of exploring modernization paths has been full of hardships for all nations. Regarding the global challenge of how to achieve modernization, many Southern countries once pinned their hopes on adopting Western modernization models. Practice has proven countless times that the vast majority of countries that did so fell into various degrees of predicament, such as political turmoil, economic stagnation, and social fragmentation, causing their modernization processes to be delayed or even interrupted.
In sharp contrast, by following a developmental path suited to its own national conditions, China completed in just several decades the industrialization process that took Western developed countries several centuries to achieve, creating the "two miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. The international community has widely praised Chinese-path modernization as a "true miracle in the history of human development" and an "initiative in the development of human society." Chinese-path modernization possesses Chinese characteristics based on its own national conditions, yet it also contains features common to the modernization of all countries, offering important reference value for the vast array of Southern nations.
The successful practice of Chinese-path modernization has shattered the myth that "modernization = Westernization," demonstrated another vista of modernization, and expanded the choice of pathways for developing countries. More and more countries and peoples in the world have come to realize deeply that there is more than one road leading to modernization, and Western-style modernization is not the sole choice. Every nation has the right and the capacity to blaze a path suited to its own national conditions. China's exploration of modernization is inspiring an increasing number of Southern countries to strengthen their confidence and march forward boldly, becoming more conscious in seeking "shoes that fit their feet" [4] and striving harder to open modernization paths consistent with their own realities, ensuring that the road of human modernization grows broader.
Chinese-path Modernization Provides New Opportunities for the Development and Revitalization of the "Global South"
Development is the eternal theme of human society and the primary task of developing countries. China has always closely linked its own development with world development, welcoming all nations to "board China’s express train of development." Chinese-path modernization benefits the Chinese people and brings common welfare to people in all countries, including those in the South. Since the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping, focusing on the long-term goals and practical needs of global common development, has emphasized that "development must be placed at the center of the international agenda," guiding development negotiations to focus on resolving the difficulties and challenges faced by developing countries, particularly African nations and the least developed countries.
From pioneering and actively practicing the Global Development Initiative (GDI) to proposing the initiative for open and inclusive cooperation in the "Global South"; from announcing eight measures to support "Global South" cooperation to announcing eight actions to support global development at the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit... General Secretary Xi Jinping has continuously mapped out blueprints for development and proposed Chinese solutions.
Grasping development as the "master key" [5] to solving all problems, China has done its utmost to provide development assistance to more than 160 countries, joined hands with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations to co-build the "Belt and Road," promoted cooperation on the Global Development Initiative with over 100 countries and several international organizations including the United Nations, and established the "Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund." China has helped African and other developing countries mitigate debt pressure, and at the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE), specifically provided over 120 free exhibition booths for 37 of the least developed countries. This series of down-to-earth actions has crossed the vastness of mountains and seas, broken developmental bottlenecks, and responded to the common aspiration of the "Global South" for unity, development, and reform. These actions have enhanced the inclusiveness, universality, and sustainability of "Global South" modernization and met the earnest aspirations of Southern populations for a better life.
In recent years, through the discourse and writings of political party figures and scholars from developing countries, we can clearly feel that a China moving steadily toward modernization is tangibly empowering the sustainable economic, social, and environmental development of the "Global South." It allows the "sunlight of common development to shine upon many 'forgotten corners,'" enabling people in more countries and regions to live increasingly better lives. Looking at the world today, economic globalization faces countercurrents, and the North-South gap continues to widen; currently, approximately 1.1 billion people live in extreme poverty. The international community’s expectation for promoting common development and prosperity is becoming more fervent, and the thirst for a holistic solution to achieve modernization is more urgent. Problems of development can only be solved through development. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made systematic deployments surrounding further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-path modernization. This means that while China continuously promotes its own high-quality development, it will also surely play a greater role and inject stronger momentum into promoting the stable economic growth of Southern countries through reform, opening up, and modernization construction.
Continuously Composing a New Chapter of the "Global South" Joining Hands to Advance the Cause of Modernization
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The collective rise of the 'Global South' is a distinct hallmark of the great changes in the world. The joint movement of 'Global South' countries toward modernization is a major event in world history and an unprecedented feat in the process of human civilization." A bright future will not arrive automatically, and the road to modernization is destined not to be smooth. The correct direction lies in "Global South" countries working together with one heart, marching hand in hand, and "shouldering responsibilities" [6] to build a better world. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once said that the term "South-South cooperation" is "excellent, and its inventor should be given a medal." For a long time, China has insisted on being a good friend, brother, and partner to Southern countries through "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits," and has always been an active advocate and important participant in South-South cooperation.
General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to strengthening unity and cooperation with Global South countries. In 2015, while attending and chairing the South-South Cooperation Roundtable co-hosted by China and the UN at the UN Headquarters, he pointed out: "South-South cooperation is a great initiative of developing countries seeking strength through unity. It is a cooperation based on equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit, win-win results, and solidarity, helping us blaze a brand-new path toward development and prosperity." In 2024, during his important speech on the topic of "Fighting Hunger and Poverty" at the first stage of the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly emphasized once again: "China is always a member of the 'Global South,' a reliable long-term cooperative partner of developing countries, and a man of action and a doer in supporting the cause of global development." These resonant words firmly convey China's consistent stance of seeking progress for humanity.
As an important member of the "Global South" family, China fully demonstrates the responsibility and role of a major power. It upholds the "correct viewpoint on righteousness and interests" [7] and the "principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith" to strengthen unity and cooperation. It practices true multilateralism, deepens and expands important platforms such as the BRICS cooperation mechanism, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and "G77 and China." It refines multilateral cooperation frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the China-CELAC Forum, and the Boao Forum for Asia. It has promoted the creation of multilateral financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB), continuously advancing pragmatic cooperation in various fields, innovating cooperation methods, and improving cooperation quality. It has played a powerful leading and promoting role in firmly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Southern nations, assisting them in responding to global challenges, and enhancing the "right to speak" (discourse power) of Southern countries in international affairs. Every platform and every exchange continuously deepens our high identification with the concepts of "being in the same boat" and "harmony in diversity."
Looking around the world, the "Global South" has grown significantly in momentum and plays a decisive role in promoting human progress. Looking to the future, in chasing the dream of modernization, Southern countries should be more closely united. With a more open, inclusive, pioneering, and innovative posture, they should be of one mind and move in the same direction, planning new visions for cooperation and embarking on new voyages of collaboration. They should jointly solve various problems faced in achieving modernization and share the wisdom and experience of development and governance. Meanwhile, they should strengthen North-South dialogue and cooperation, advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and gather monumental strength to realize the modernization of all countries through peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common prosperity, thereby promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Source: People's Daily (December 26, 2024, Page 09) Online Editor: Hui Hui