On September 15, 2023 local time, President Xi Jinping's Special Representative Li Xi, also Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, attended and addressed the Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China in Havana.
Li Xi said that the world is undergoing changes on a scale unseen in a century. Developing countries are becoming stronger. South-South cooperation is playing an increasingly important role in driving the momentum of collective rise of developing countries and in sustaining the continued global economic growth. At the same time, unilateralism and hegemonism are becoming rampant. In particular, some countries are resorting to unilateral sanctions, decoupling, and disruption of industrial and supply chains, seriously undermining the legitimate development rights and interests of developing countries and their space for development. Developing countries generally hope to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, working to make global governance more just and equitable. China is ready to work with Cuba and other G77 members to build a Global South community with a shared future, and usher in a new era of common development.
Li Xi made a three-point proposal in respect of cooperation between the G77 and China. First, staying true to the original aspiration of the G77 for independence and greater collective strength through unity. The G77 and China must uphold the common values of humanity, reject bloc confrontation and the Cold War mentality, and seek to resolve differences and disputes between countries by peaceful means to maintain world peace and tranquility. Second, advocating equity, justice, equality and inclusiveness. The G77 and China must make their voice heard loud and clear and uphold justice at the United Nations General Assembly and other major international occasions. They must see to it that items on the agenda of the United Nations meet the development interests of developing countries, urge developed countries to deliver on their development assistance commitments, and strengthen the voice and representation of developing countries. Third, pursuing development, revitalization and win-win cooperation. The G77 and China need to work in synergy to revitalize the global development partnership, foster new drivers for their development, and focus on cooperation in areas of food security, poverty alleviation, industrialization, green development, digital technology and artificial intelligence to build an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial system for South-South scientific and technological cooperation, so that all countries can equally benefit from digital dividends, and no developing country will be left behind or left out in the development of new technologies and industries.
Li Xi said that China is the largest developing country in the world. No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will always be part of the developing world and a member of the Global South. South-South cooperation is always a high priority in China's cooperation with other countries. President Xi Jinping unveiled his vision for building a community with a shared future for mankind and also proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These initiatives offer a Chinese approach to lasting peace, greater development and closer cooperation in the world, and also provide an important platform for deepening South-South cooperation. China provides development assistance to more than 160 countries, joins hands with more than 150 countries in building the Belt and Road, and works with over 100 countries and international organizations to advance the GDI. President Xi Jinping announced that China had set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and will set up a special fund dedicated to the implementation of the GDI. This is a further contribution by China to helping other developing countries address difficulties and challenges and achieve common development. China is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with G77 members in order to optimize allocation of development resources, ensure efficient use of public goods of BRI cooperation and resolve problems in development. All parties are welcome to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held in Beijing in October this year, to contribute their perspective on future BRI cooperation and the way forward for greater development.
Li Xi said that China and other developing nations have won national independence and liberation after a long and arduous journey. They share a fervent desire to bring a better life for their people. They have invariably stood in solidarity through thick and thin, supported each other and grown together, and they are a community that rises and falls together. As long as they adapt to the changing times, strengthen solidarity, friendship and cooperation, and lend each other support in pursuing a path to modernization suited to their respective national conditions and characteristics, they will surely be able to better safeguard the common interests of developing countries, have a greater say in global governance, achieve common development and shared prosperity, and bring more stability and positivity to global peace and development.