BEIJING, Nov. 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China's rise from poverty to
prosperity is a miracle that has contributed enormously toward
global development, said Erik Solheim, former
under-secretary-general of the United Nations.
Speaking at the Fifth Think Tank Forum on National Governance in
Developing Countries held in Beijing on Friday, Solheim said that Chinese
modernization is rooted in its ancient traditions, which have
developed through history and are hard to imitate. But the
experiences still hold valuable lessons that other nations can
learn from.
The forum, with the theme "Joining Hands to Advance the
Modernization of the Global South", was jointly held by the Party
School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
(National Academy of Governance), the Institute of Party History
and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, Peking University and
China Daily. More than 200
participants from 20 countries attended the event.
"What China offers is not just a model, it's now the source of
main investment in the Global South," said Solheim, listing the
Padma Multipurpose Bridge project in Bangladesh as an example. He said the project
has helped the Bangladesh economy
grow by connecting the country's east with the west. "And the
railway and their stations built by China are an enormous service
to Kenya, while the new port
launched in Peru is important for
trans-Pacific economy and South American economy," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Xie Chuntao, executive vice-president
of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee said the success
of Chinese modernization had proved wrong the perception that
modernization equaled Westernization. He added that China not only
sets an example for other members of the Global South but also
provides genuine help to them by writing off debts and taking other
mutually beneficial measures.
"For this year's China International Import Expo, China reserved
over 120 free seats for 37 of the most underdeveloped countries.
This reflects the Global South's call for unity, development and
reform and strengthens inclusiveness and sustainability," Xie said,
adding, "It also meets the aspirations of the people of the Global
South for a better life."
Commenting on the growth of the Global South, Qu Qingshan,
president of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the
CPC Central Committee, said: "With a population accounting for over
70 percent and economy accounting for over 40 percent of that of
the whole world, the Global South has become an important engine
for the world's growth. That countries of the Global South jointly
moving toward modernization is an unprecedented miracle in the
history of mankind."
Ra'ed Mohammed BenShams, president of the International
Institute of Administrative Sciences, stressed that a moral basis
must be laid for cooperation and called for "cooperation based on
understanding" among nations, in particular among Global South
economies. "It's time to foster collaboration grounded in mutual
respect and shared values," he said.
"China has always regarded itself as being from the South. This
is not just a geographical statement but also a philosophical
position," said Donald Ramotar,
former president of Guyana,
speaking via video, "The leadership of the People's Republic of China has always
based its policy and its relations with the developing world on the
principle of solidarity, mutual benefits and the promotion of
win-win cooperation."
Hong Dayong, vice-minister of the Publicity Department of the
CPC Central Committee, hoped that Global South think tanks could
deepen research into each other's history, culture and development
path, thus promoting mutual understanding.
"Think tanks can provide a sound basis for Global South nations
to write their own narrative of civilization," he said in a keynote
speech. "Their voices can also be expressed in a better way so as
to eradicate misunderstanding and misjudgment."
It's important for the Global South to have its own voice in
global affairs, said Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of
China Daily.
"World peace and development face severe challenges and regional
conflicts, but on key global affairs and topics, the Global South
nations are no longer the silent majority," he said in a keynote
speech at the forum. "Instead they have their own voices and
demonstrate more independent and rational viewpoints."
Tamas Hajba, head of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Beijing
Office, said that the world needs international cooperation and
partnership more than ever. "Modernization of the developing
countries is not merely an agenda; it is a necessity for achieving
global stability, equity and sustainability," he said.
Endalkachew Sime, former state
minister of planning and development of Ethiopia said: "The word South is derived from
the word that means somewhere with sun. Literally the connection
likely stems from the fact that in the northern hemisphere, the sun
is generally in the southern part of the land. I believe the South
is not poor, but it is the source of light."
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SOURCE China Daily
