Hold High the Banner of a Community with a Shared Future and Strive for Greater Progress of South-South Cooperation

Hold High the Banner of a Community with a Shared Future and Strive for Greater Progress of South-South Cooperation

Remarks by State Councilor Wang Yi at the Event Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund and the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development

Your Excellencies,

Friends,

In 2015, at the summits marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, President Xi Jinping personally announced the establishment of the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund and the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development.

Over the past five years, the Fund, in close collaboration with more than ten international organizations, has supported over 100 livelihood projects in more than 50 countries, benefiting more than 20 million people. From responding to the tropical cyclone Idai to fighting Ebola and COVID-19, from promoting maternal and child health to addressing refugee and migrant crises, from enhancing agricultural governance to improving civil aviation safety, and from helping ensure access to employment by people with disabilities to advancing poverty reduction, the Fund has made concrete contributions to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Over the past five years, the Institute has enrolled over 200 students from nearly 60 countries into master and doctorate's programs. It has disseminated theories of national development, shared governance experience, built a platform of research and exchange, and cultivated talent for governance from many developing countries. The students experienced first-hand the vibe of China's rapid economic development and steady improvement in people's lives. They witnessed China's unremitting efforts in building a community with a shared future. And they felt in person the dynamism of South-South cooperation.

With the support from various quarters, the Fund and the Institute have become important public goods China provides for South-South cooperation. They are now important international brands for developing countries to promote South-South cooperation and sustainable development. Today, President Xi Jinping sent a special congratulatory letter and pointed the way forward for the future development of the Fund and the Institute. This once again shows how much President Xi and the Chinese government value South-South cooperation. It will inspire us to continue the success of the Fund and the Institute and enable them to play a bigger role in South-South cooperation.

Friends,

South-South cooperation is a great initiative of developing countries seeking strength through unity. China, as the world's largest developing country, has always been a staunch supporter of, active participant in, and important contributor to South-South cooperation.

In South-South cooperation, China always follows the principle of equality and mutual trust. We always honor commitments and deliver actual results. We focus on development, give top priority to people's livelihood, and adapt to the development strategies and plans of specific countries. We not only help when help is urgently needed, but also pass on knowledge and expertise. We never attach political strings. We never meddle in other countries' domestic affairs. And we never do superficial stuff.

In South-South cooperation, China always pursues the goal of mutual benefit. We always follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. And we always share opportunities and dividend with fellow developing countries. We have carried out, in over 160 developing countries, several thousand complete projects and aid supplies projects, and over ten thousand technical cooperation and human resource development projects, and provided over 400,000 training opportunities. It is an impressive scorecard in the field of foreign assistance and international development cooperation.

In South-South cooperation, China always adheres to the spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance. Over the past year, we have stood together with other developing countries in meeting the severe challenges of COVID-19. To date, we have provided supplies to over 160 countries and international organizations, and provided vaccines to over 100 countries. We have been doing everything we can to build a life-saving line of defence and boost economic recovery for developing countries.

Friends,

In a world increasingly filled with uncertainty and instability, developing countries can only overcome the challenges together by strengthening unity and cooperation. No matter what stage or level China's development reaches, China will always be a member of the developing world, always stand for the common interests of developing countries, and always be the most sincere, reliable and long-term cooperation partner for all developing countries on the way ahead. With our eyes on the current circumstances and on the future, we are ready to step up South-South cooperation in the following areas.

First, we will continue to deepen international cooperation on COVID response and help developing countries secure an early victory against the coronavirus. We will continue to provide developing countries with most needed anti-epidemic supplies, share more medical treatment information, experience and know-how, and help developing countries improve their public health systems. China categorically rejects vaccine nationalism. We will endeavor to make vaccines more accessible and affordable to developing countries and prevent the occurrence of immunization gaps as part of the effort to build a global community of health for all.

Second, we will continue to deepen economic and livelihood cooperation to help developing countries achieve an early recovery. We will focus more on development and livelihood, and carry out more effective assistance and development cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to help developing countries alleviate the impact of COVID-19. We will tap new sources of growth, prioritize green and low-carbon development, and cultivate new growth drivers so as to help countries restore positive economic growth as soon as possible.

Third, we will continue to enhance cooperation on governance to help developing countries further strengthen the capacity for self-development. Modernization is by no means a dream out of reach, still less a privilege of just a few countries. Every country has the right to development and prosperity. China has blazed a new path toward modernization that suits its conditions. We are ready to share governance experience and increase technical and human capital development cooperation with other developing countries. We will fully tap into the strengths of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development, and foster more high-caliber talent for developing countries so as to build up their capacity for self-driven development.

Fourth, we will continue to strengthen cooperation to promote multilateralism and help developing countries better protect their legitimate rights. Whether it was in our struggles for national independence or in the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations, China and other developing countries have always supported each other in international affairs. Today, it is all the more important that we hold high the banner of multilateralism and firmly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, promote greater democracy in international relations, increase the representation and voice of developing countries throughout the multilateral system, and reform and improve the global governance system to make it more equitable and balanced.

Friends,

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). At the grand celebrations a week ago, President Xi Jinping, on behalf of the CPC and the Chinese people, made a solemn declaration to the world that China has achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and is now marching in confident strides toward the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

I wish to stress to you that the glory and pride stemming from this great achievement belongs not only to China, but also to all developing countries. This is because China has proven with indisputable facts that as long as a developing country chooses and stays on the development path that truly suits its national conditions, it will surely achieve national rejuvenation and prosperity through hard work.

On its new journey, China will hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind. We will join hands with other developing countries to work toward higher, broader and greater achievement in South-South cooperation and make more contribution to the collective progress of the entire humanity.  

Thank you!