CIDCA holds media briefing on 3rd High-Level Conference of Forum on Global Action for Shared Development

On April 14, the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) held a briefing for Chinese and foreign media on the third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development.

CIDCA Vice-Chairman Zhao Fengtao, CIDCA Spokesperson and Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation Li Ming and Director-General of the Global Development Promotion Center (GDPC) of CIDCA Tang Ying attended the meeting.

Nearly 30 Chinese and foreign media outlets, including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, Prensa Latina of Cuba, and Al-Mayadeen TV of Lebanon, were present at the event.

The transcript of the briefing is as follows.

Li Ming: Good morning, dear friends from the media. I am CIDCA Spokesperson Li Ming. Welcome to the briefing for Chinese and foreign media on the third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, also the CIDCA's regular press conference.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI). China has decided to hold the third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. Today, we are pleased to have CIDCA Vice-Chairman Zhao Fengtao and Director-General of the Global Development Promotion Center Tang Ying join us.

First, let's invite CIDCA Vice-Chairman Zhao to brief you on the conference, and then we will answer your questions.

Zhao Fengtao: Good morning, friends from the media. In this beautiful spring, I am glad to meet you again to focus on the third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development and to look forward to a new chapter of international development cooperation.

Development is the eternal theme of human society, and shared development is an essential pathway to building a better world. In 2021, President Xi Jinping creatively proposed the GDI with a strong commitment to the well-being of humanity and a deep sense of responsibility as the leader of a major political party and a major country. In June 2022, President Xi announced at the High-level Dialogue on Global Development that China will hold the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development.

The forum successfully held its first and second high-level conferences in 2023 and 2024, respectively, where participants shared experience, explored cooperation and sought common development. Political leaders and participants from various sectors widely recognized the GDI and actively supported and participated in its implementation. They spoke highly of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s global vision and China's sense of responsibility as a major country.

Over the past five years since the GDI was proposed, China has consistently held high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, built consensus on development, taken joint action and focused on development cooperation. More than 130 countries and international organizations have participated in the GDI implementation mechanism, making it a widely welcomed international public good.

With its strong resilience and vitality, China has injected strong momentum into shared development, and through its successful exploration of Chinese modernization, provided new pathways for developing countries to independently advance toward modernization.

At the same time, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, with transformation and turbulence intertwined. Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism are on the rise; conflicts and wars continue; global economic growth lacks momentum; the South-North digital divide and development gap persist; and international development cooperation faces severe challenges.

Some developed countries have shirked responsibilities in development cooperation, while expectations of and reliance on China from aid recipient countries and international organizations continue to grow.

The outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development says, "China will deepen solidarity and cooperation with developing countries and support the Global South in uniting and self-strengthening," and "the country will promote global cooperation in poverty reduction, beef up its foreign aid, and contribute to implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

The 2026 Government Work Report states that "China will expand its global network of partnerships," "the country stands ready to work with the international community to advance the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative," and "the country will jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity and create a bright future of peace and development for the world."

These statements provide clear guidance for advancing the GDI and for promoting global shared development.

Against this background, China will host the third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on April 21 and 22, which is themed on "Action-Oriented: Building a Global Community of Development for All". China calls on the international community to work together to address global challenges, promote global development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The conference has three key highlights:

First, fostering a shared future by bringing together participants from around the world to discuss development opportunities.

In his congratulatory letter to the first High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, President Xi emphasized that China, as the world's largest developing country, always integrates its own development into the broader context of human development and aims to create new opportunities for global development through its own development.

Nearly 20 high-level foreign guests will attend the conference in person, along with representatives from foreign embassies in China, UN agencies and relevant social organizations. Heads of relevant Chinese government departments and local governments, as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, enterprises and foundations, will also participate. Hundreds of participants from China and abroad will attend in person or online to discuss development for a shared future.

In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies, the conference will host three sub-forums: "Empowering High-Quality Development in the Global South through Digital Technology", "Connecting Global Wisdom to Build a Climate-Resilient Future", and "From Promise to Action: Leading Capital through Multilateral Cooperation to Create a Better Future Together".

These sub-forums will facilitate in-depth exchanges on building consensus, mobilizing resources and enhancing sustainable development capability, and explore solutions and practical pathways toward a global community with a shared future for humanity.

Second, emphasizing action and advancing practical cooperation for win-win outcomes. The forum serves not only as a platform for exchanging development ideas but also as a bridge sharing development resources.

China advocates for an equal and orderly multipolar world, and for inclusive and beneficial economic globalization. The country is ready to collaborate with the international community to enhance synergy in global, regional and bilateral development cooperation, build more unified, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnerships and promote modernization and sustainable development for all.

The first high-level conference issued the Beijing Statement and the second released an action plan for a better future. The two conferences churned out more than 180 outcomes.

To implement these outcomes, China has carried out a number of landmark projects and "small yet smart" livelihood programs with dozens of countries, regions and international organizations, including Barbados, Egypt and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and signed memoranda of understanding with many countries. Nearly 80 percent of these outcomes have been implemented, with the rest progressing steadily.

The third conference will produce new outcomes that will benefit the developing countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the South Pacific. These outcomes will cover the GDI's eight major cooperation fields, including landmark projects, "small yet smart" projects, and other diverse results, such as foreign aid training, large-scale activities, and cooperation mechanisms and agreements.

We welcome media attention and coverage.

Third, upholding justice and responsibility to lead development cooperation. People will follow what is right and just. President Xi proposed the GDI, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, providing strategic guidance for building a more just and equitable global governance system and demonstrating his commitment to advancing human progress and global harmony.

China will take this conference as an opportunity to work with all countries to implement the four global initiatives and contribute to a fairer and more reasonable global governance system and consistently contribute Chinese strength to global development.

President Xi noted that development holds the key to the people's wellbeing. China will adhere to the people-oriented principle, focus on underdeveloped countries and regions and implement 2,000 "small yet smart" livelihood projects. The country will prioritize development, mobilize more resources and promote green transformation, including cooperation in renewable energy, ecological protection and early warning systems, while advancing 200 marine development projects to build a clean, beautiful and sustainable world.

China will promote innovation-driven development, strengthening both traditional and emerging areas. While promoting the "small yet smart" projects, China adheres to advancing global development through technological innovation.

Under the Global Development Capital Pool, the CIDCA has set up a special fund for digital capacity-building to support the GDI's "Digital South" initiative, deepen cooperation in digital economy, connectivity and artificial intelligence, and apply digital technologies in areas such as drug development and agricultural productivity, helping the Global South better integrate into global digital development.

This is my brief introduction to the conference. I hope it will be helpful to your reporting.

Finally, on behalf of the CIDCA, I would like to express sincere appreciation to the international community and especially other developing countries for their great support for the conference; to the foreign embassies in China and international organizations with presence in China for their close cooperation; and to Chinese and foreign media friends for your contributions in objectively reporting on China's international development cooperation.

I am confident that the third High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development will achieve complete success with the joint efforts of all parties.

Thank you.

Li Ming: Thanks for Vice-Chairman Zhao's comprehensive briefing. Now, we will open the floor for questions. Please identify your media organization before asking questions.

China Media Group: The GDI has been widely welcomed by the international community since it was proposed five years ago. Could you elaborate on the progress and achievements in its implementation?

Zhao Fengtao: Over the past five years since the GDI was proposed, it has always focused on international development cooperation under the personal guidance of President Xi. It has received positive responses and support from international organizations, including the UN, as well as more than 100 countries. Progress was made in four major areas.

First, providing direction for development and mobilizing resources. China has upgraded the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and increased its total funding to $4 billion. China has implemented more than 200 projects in over 70 countries in collaboration with more than 20 international organizations, including the UNDP and World Food Programme, benefiting more than 40 million people.

China has also established the Global Development Capital Pool and set up a $14 billion special fund for the GDI with Chinese and foreign financial institutions, attracting participation from governments and diverse stakeholders and expanding channels for project implementation.

Second, focusing on key development priorities and deepening practical cooperation. Under the GDI framework, China has advanced major flagship projects, such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gwadar Seawater Desalination Plant in Pakistan, as well as "small yet smart" projects, such as Juncao technology, hybrid rice and the Luban Workshop.

China has established the Global Development Project Pool, which now includes more than 1,800 projects, covering the GDI's eight priority areas and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Third, innovating cooperation models and building platforms. China has promoted the establishment of the China-Africa (Ethiopia)-UN (Industrial Development Organization) Center of Excellence, opening up a new model of trilateral development cooperation and advancing projects in industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development in countries such as Nigeria and Kenya.

A joint working group and secretariat between the CIDCA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have been established to implement a project supporting malaria elimination in The Gambia.

A series of innovative platforms, such as the Innovation Training Base of the GDPC, the Youth Leaders Community for Global Development and the Global Center for Women's Capacity Building, has been developed to promote the development capacity of developing countries.

Fourth, improving mechanisms and expanding partnerships. China launched the Group of Friends of the GDI at the UN, with active participation from more than 80 countries, and the UN has established a dedicated mechanism to advance the initiative.

China has established the GDPC and, together with more than 80 countries, regions and international organizations, built a Global Development Promotion Center network.

The CIDCA has signed cooperation documents on implementing the initiative with more than 80 countries, international organizations, and financial institutions at home and abroad, and issued a joint statement on deepening cooperation under the GDI with 53 African countries and the African Union, making Africa the first continent to collectively welcome and support the initiative.

China has also steadily advanced institutional dialogues with developed countries such as Germany and Singapore, as well as international financial institutions including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and signed cooperation outcome documents with Singapore, continuously promoting joint development with all parties.

People's Daily: The 2026 Government Work Report states that "China stands ready to work with all members of the international community to pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative; to actively participate in reform and development of the global governance system; and to make the international order more just and equitable." As the first proposed initiative among the four, what role has the GDI played in advancing the reform of the global governance system?

Li Ming: China is both the initiator and advocate of the four global initiatives, and also a doer and practitioner in their implementation. The four global initiatives proposed by President Xi complement and reinforce each other. The GDI supports the reform of the global governance system mainly in the following three aspects:

First, it leads innovation in governance concepts. The GDI promotes placing development in a more prominent position within the global macro-policy framework, thereby correcting the imbalance in global governance priorities. Within the GDI framework, the CIDCA has hosted a series of thematic events, including the "Sunshine Forum on International Development Cooperation" on anti-corruption, the "China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Development Cooperation" on regional development, and the "Global Conference on National Evaluation Capacity" on project monitoring and evaluation, providing dedicated platforms for exchanges on development concepts across various fields.

Second, it supports the multilateral system. President Xi has emphasized that global problems are complex, and the way forward is to uphold and practice true multilateralism. China adheres to genuine multilateralism, upholds fairness and justice on the basis of international law, safeguards the international system with the United Nations at its core, and accelerates the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The eight priority areas of cooperation under the GDI are fully aligned with the 17 goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. China, through the GDI, promotes both major landmark projects and "small yet beautiful" livelihood projects in a coordinated manner, advocates equal participation of all countries in development governance, and works to increase the representation and voice of developing countries, thereby making the global governance system more just and equitable.

Third, it promotes pragmatic cooperation in global governance. President Xi has pointed out that strengthening global governance and advancing the reform of the global governance system is an inevitable trend. This concerns how to respond to global challenges, how international order and systems are shaped, and how to define the position and role of countries in long-term institutional arrangements of international order and systems. In recent years, the development gap between the Global North and Global South has become more pronounced, and some developed countries have failed to fulfill their commitments on development financing, weakening South-North cooperation. The GDI focuses on common development, upholds an action-oriented and innovation-driven approach, works to reinvigorate South-North cooperation and deepen South–South cooperation, and promotes the building of a new global development partnership through funding, projects, and partner networks. In response to the rapid advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, China has strengthened international scientific and technological innovation cooperation and worked to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that innovation and development truly benefit all countries. This provides a practical foundation for the reform of global governance.

China stands ready to work with all countries to ensure that the reform of the global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity deliver greater benefits to all humanity.

Shenzhen TV: The parallel sub-forum II introduced earlier is themed "Connecting Global Wisdom to Build a Climate-Resilient Future". Climate change and green development are among the eight priority areas of the GDI. Could you introduce China's international development cooperation in this field?

Tang Ying: Climate change, environmental degradation and overconsumption of resources are severe challenges facing all countries. Promoting green transformation of development is urgent. China has always been committed to actively addressing climate change and advancing green development. It has built the world's largest and most complete new energy industrial chain, and has also provided assistance to other developing countries, including African and small island states, within its capacity. China is both an advocate and practitioner in global environmental and climate governance.

First, it promotes the integration of green development wisdom. China continues to deepen alignment of green development strategies. The inaugural High-Level Conference of the Forum included green development as a key topic and held a parallel sub-forum on "global green development in the context of carbon neutrality". The second session featured a sub-forum on "energy transition and sustainable development". This year's conference will host a sub-forum on "Connecting Global Wisdom to Build a Climate-Resilient Future", further deepening international cooperation and providing more green development cooperation outcomes based on previous editions.

Second, it advances climate cooperation and green transition. Under the framework of the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, China has implemented more than 70 green development projects in cooperation with international organizations. It has signed cooperation documents with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on climate information and early warning systems, and is implementing Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems initiatives in six countries including the Maldives and Comoros, helping improve local disaster early warning and response capacity. China is also working with UNDP, UNESCO, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to implement projects in Belarus, Mongolia, and Madagascar, including forest fire prevention and sustainable ocean development toolkits, improving environmental and public health conditions, accelerating clean energy transitions, and strengthening ocean governance and emergency response capacity. Through bilateral channels, China has carried out new energy cooperation projects in many African countries, including solar street lighting, water well drilling, and hydropower stations, and has implemented wind power plants, solar power plants, and cross-border power grid projects in Uzbekistan, Moldova, Nepal and others.

Third, it fosters green development momentum. Under the framework of foreign aid human resource development cooperation, China has launched more than 300 training programs on climate change and green development to meet the practical needs of developing countries, including workshops on climate change and climate information services for developing countries, green development and sustainable investment under the GDI, and climate change response and green development under the GDI. These programs cover water resources, ecological protection and environmental governance, disaster management, energy, forestry and other fields, and have trained over 10,000 professionals from more than 100 developing countries. China also shares disaster prevention and mitigation technologies, experience and achievements, and supports the establishment of emergency command and decision-support systems in relevant countries, helping strengthen their capacity in these fields.

China will continue to expand cooperation in green development, contribute to filling the world's "green gap", and work with all countries to address climate challenges and safeguard our shared blue planet.

Prensa Latina (Cuba): Currently, regional hotspot issues are emerging frequently, particularly the situation in the Middle East remains tense, leading to a growing need for emergency humanitarian assistance. What emergency humanitarian assistance has China provided so far this year?

Li Ming: In the face of global humanitarian disasters, China has always upheld the spirit of internationalism and humanitarianism. Based on the needs of recipient countries, China provides timely assistance to countries and populations in difficulty through various channels, making an important contribution to alleviating global humanitarian crises.

Earlier this year, Southern African countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique were hit by severe flooding, resulting in significant casualties and property losses in multiple areas. China has provided emergency cash humanitarian assistance to these four countries to support flood relief efforts. At the same time, China is fully implementing the $100 million humanitarian assistance for Palestine announced by President Xi last December. In late March, a shipment of children's clothing and medical supplies under this assistance was delivered to the United Nations Children's Fund for distribution in Gaza. China has also provided emergency humanitarian assistance to countries affected by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, helping to alleviate the hardships faced by local populations due to the fighting.

China will continue to do its utmost to promote the early restoration of peace and stability in the relevant regions.

Science and Technology Daily: The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) states the goal to deepen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries and support the collective self-strengthening of the Global South. We note that the earlier introduction mentioned "digital empowerment for high-quality development of the Global South". The CIDCA has also announced the establishment of a special fund for digital capacity building. Could you briefly introduce the progress made by the CIDCA in supporting digital development in the Global South?

Tang Ying: Since the beginning of global internet expansion, bridging the digital divide has been a shared goal of the international community. China continues to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation to empower global digital development. Since July last year, when Premier Li Qiang announced at the 17th BRICS Leaders' Meeting that China would build a "Digital South" initiative under the GDI framework, the CIDCA has actively advanced the initiative and established a special fund for digital capacity building under the Global Development Capital Pool.

China mobilizes funding from government aid resources as well as partners including relevant departments, local governments, and enterprises. Based on the development stage and actual needs of different countries, it implements four categories of projects: capacity building, planning and design, infrastructure, and applications relating to people's livelihood. Several projects have been carried out, including smart classrooms, high-speed school internet, smart healthcare, intelligent transportation, and digital skills training. Under the framework of the Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund, China has cooperated with the UNDP to implement the "Cuba Digital Transformation Project", upgrading digital infrastructure through hardware provision and technical training, expanding service coverage, broadening service scope, and improving digital literacy of its people. In cooperation with the International Trade Centre, China has supported the export expansion of around 1,000 products of 100 African SMEs via e-commerce platforms, enhancing Africa's digital economic capacity and accelerating its post-pandemic recovery.

During the third high-level conference, China will host a sub-forum on "Empowering High-Quality Development in the Global South through Digital Technology" and set up an all-day "Digital South" experience zone. Through technological cases and immersive interactive systems, it will showcase practical pathways and cooperation models in which China's digital technologies empower high-quality development in the Global South, including six major modules such as AI plus digital infrastructure, highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities with application scenarios in the Global South.

In the next phase, the CIDCA will continue to work with domestic and international partners to build more digital development projects for the Global South, share digital achievements and development experience, and support the cultivation of local digital industries and talent systems, to jointly address the global digital divide.

Phoenix TV: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. As one of the three leading agencies of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), how is the CIDCA advancing the implementation of the FOCAC outcomes? What are the latest achievements in China-Africa development cooperation?

Zhao Fengtao: Over the past 70 years, China has always been a good friend and partner of African national liberation and development. Since the new era began, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and African leaders, China-Africa relations have achieved leapfrog development, setting a model for Global South development cooperation. In June 2025, the Ministerial Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of FOCAC Outcomes was successfully held in Changsha. As one of the three co-chair agencies of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of FOCAC, the CIDCA has actively promoted assistance and development cooperation with Africa in implementing the "Ten Partnership Actions".

China has helped deepen industrial cooperation through multiple measures. In agriculture, China is providing agricultural technical assistance to more than 20 African countries, dispatching agricultural experts and delivering multiple shipments of emergency food assistance to more than 10 African countries in need. In healthcare, China has helped upgrade or build medical and health facilities in African countries, provided support during outbreaks such as mpox and cholera, implemented malaria elimination demonstration projects, and dispatched a total of 26,000 medical personnel to 48 African countries, treating 230 million patients. In the "small yet beautiful" area, China has implemented a series of livelihood projects, including bilateral assistance projects, Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund projects, and foreign aid training programs. In industrialization, China has implemented projects on constructing supporting facilities of industrial parks and supported the development of agricultural industrial parks, economic and trade cooperation zones, and vocational and technical training centers.

China has also supported connectivity and capacity building in Africa through both hardware and software upgrading. It supports African infrastructure development and has expanded cooperation from traditional areas such as railways, roads, aviation, power and communications to new areas such as electrification, fiber optics, and information networks. Through policy consultation and thematic training, China conducts exchanges of governance and development experience with African countries in areas such as public health, agriculture and poverty reduction, trade and investment. Since the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, China has trained nearly 40,000 African professionals across various fields, and will organize more training programs this year.

China also supports modernization of Africa through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China has helped improve sports and cultural facilities including stadiums, broadcasting centers, and cultural centers in African countries, provided support in venue construction and capacity building as well as training for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, assisted in building schools in multiple African countries, and promoted the development of Luban Workshops.

Standing at the new historical starting point of the 70th anniversary of China-Africa cooperation, China will continue to work with African development partners to jointly promote a world of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.

Li Ming: Now today's briefing is over. Thanks for your consistent focus on the GDI, China and the international development cooperation cause. The conference will open in one week. I hope you all focus on the progress of the conference, the high-level activities, the active responses from Chinese and foreign guests, and the outcomes and highlights of the conference. Let us work together to present a grand gathering to the world, promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity through international development cooperation.

Thank you all.