Fresh initiative poised to boost global growth

Countries join Xi's call for rolling out inclusive vision to advance prosperity

Editor's note: China Daily presents a series of reports to illustrate how the Global Development Initiative, first proposed by President Xi Jinping, will help countries around the world shore up robust, green and more balanced growth amid unprecedented challenges. This is the first installment in the series.

First put forward by President Xi Jinping no more than two months ago, a fresh Chinese solution for tackling countries' bottlenecks in growth－the Global Development Initiative－is rapidly winning support across the globe.

In particular, the initiative has won acclaim in a number of developing countries in regions including Asia, Africa and Oceania.

"The United Nations stands ready to support its implementation and provide technical assistance," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Oct 24, the eve of the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the People's Republic of China's lawful seat at the UN.

During a virtual meeting with Xi on Oct 25, the UN chief said this vision is of great and positive importance in promoting global equality and balanced, sustainable development.

The initiative is the latest powerful tool added to Beijing's policy toolbox for fixing common challenges in the pandemic era, and behind its popularity are countries endorsing the Communist Party of China's consistent, century-long efforts to help advance global peace, unity, shared growth and justice, senior officials and experts said.

"Development is a master key to addressing all problems, and also the common will of people in countries all over the world," State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said of the initiative's worldwide popularity when speaking to reporters on Oct 31.

Xi first unveiled the initiative while addressing the general debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 21 via video link.

The initiative calls for concerted action in six respects: prioritizing development, a people-centered approach, benefits for all, innovation-driven development, harmony between man and nature, and a commitment to results-oriented actions.

"We must revitalize the economy, pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development, and work together to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth," he said.

Welcoming the move, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape told Xi in phone talks last month that his country admires Xi's outstanding global leadership and expressed appreciation for the initiative.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev told Xi that he highly appreciates and firmly supports the people-centered philosophy and the initiative.

The initiative will help accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, diplomatic envoys of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states based in China said at a meeting with Wang Yi on Sunday.

The recently issued communique of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee listed "maintaining a global vision" as one of the 10 aspects of the Party's valuable historical experience explored and accumulated over the past 100 years.

Dong Guanpeng, a professor and dean at the Communication University of China's School of Government and Public Affairs, noted that this initiative "is a remarkable continuation of the CPC's lasting efforts over the past 100 years in 'maintaining a global vision' and looking to benefit more countries and their peoples".

Xi's vision on global development has convinced countries that "moving on and improving people's livelihoods proves to be a premium choice" at a time when global growth has been frustrated by protectionism, moves against globalization and the COVID-19 pandemic, Dong said.

"The initiative is of great theoretical value as it constitutes a powerful development theory representing developing countries, helping to break the monopoly of developed countries in defining development. In practice, it will further boost the influence of developing countries and benefit them considerably in the long run as it develops," Dong added.

During a videoconference on Oct 25 with the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Essam Sharaf, a former Egyptian prime minister, said that the initiative is perfectly timed, and it shows China's great sense of duty as a major country as the gap between developing and developed countries is widening.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the world's supply chain and posing imminent challenges to economic globalization, and many countries are struggling to recover," said Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies' Department of American Studies.

Shared goal

As the world and the UN are seeking a robust, sustained impetus for the global economy, the initiative "represents China's strong belief in development as a shared goal of mankind and the same direction the world should work for", she added.

At the first session of G20 Rome Summit on Oct 30, Xi further elaborated on the initiative and called for its synergy with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He underscored China's goal to make global development more equitable, effective and inclusive so that "no country will be left behind".

The initiative "takes care of countries' dire needs in reality" and "offers fresh ideas, methods and impetus for tackling their problems and growth", said Chen Xulong, a professor of multilateral diplomacy and UN reform studies at the University of International Business and Economics' School of International Relations.

The initiative "is the latest theoretical brainchild of China's major country diplomacy as guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and it epitomizes what a major country and a major political party should do", he said.

"It is a continuation of Beijing's efforts in building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind," Chen added.

Behind the initiative's popularity is first and foremost the great need for development among all countries and globally, he said.

Chinese diplomats, including many ambassadors based overseas, recently on multiple occasions highlighted the fact that the initiative is open to the world and is not exclusive, calling it "an important public good and cooperation platform that China provides to the international community".

"So far, dozens of countries and many international organizations have expressed their support for or made positive statements on the initiative," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Nov 8.

The initiative "is open to the world and welcomes the participation of all countries", he added.

"It will coordinate with and improve its efficacy simultaneously with other initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative," Chinese Ambassador to Georgia Li Yan said when introducing the initiative to local media on Oct 28.

The initiative will also synergize with Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development, and it will build consensus and pool together the strengths of multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the UN, the G20 and BRICS, according to officials including Wang Yi.

As one of the initial steps taken by Beijing to realize the initiative, the China International Development Cooperation Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN Industrial Development Organization on Oct 28 at a virtual ceremony, with the aim of helping developing countries achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Dong, from Communication University of China, said the initiative "bears both openness and inclusiveness", and it shows that China's global vision "benefits not only developing countries but also more countries beyond".

"History tells us that China will not shut its door and disregard the world's chaos and disorder. The country has been sincere in holding trade fairs, including the China International Import Expo, while many similar events have come to a grinding halt worldwide," Dong said.

"In short, China's global vision and the initiative take the world seriously just like our ancestors led the ancient Silk Road to prosperity with their great credibility and treating others on an equal footing," Dong added.