International Sharp Review | China has always been a natural member of the "global south"
Development financing, climate change, income inequality... At the 78th United Nations General Assembly, the concerns of the "global southern" countries have become a key issue. As the world's largest developing country, China will attend multiple meetings during the United Nations General Assembly to express the demands and propositions of natural members of the "Global South".
What is "Global South"? It refers to the aggregation of emerging market countries and developing countries. In recent years, this concept has frequently appeared in conferences and communiques led by the United States and the West, becoming a hot topic in international politics. Experts have told International Review that the US and the West are instrumentalizing the concept of the "global south", attempting to exclude China, deprive China of its status as a developing country, divide the developing country camp, and safeguard the vested interests and hegemony of developed countries.
Is this method of differentiation between the United States and the West useful? The recent summit of the Group of 77 and China gave a clear answer - the summit adopted the Havana Declaration, which incorporates multiple Chinese concepts and propositions, pointing out that relevant parties should strive to achieve global development and win-win cooperation, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. This is a signal of unity and self-improvement released by the "Global South", and once again demonstrates that China is a natural member of the "Global South".
China and other developing countries share the same historical experiences and struggles, facing common development challenges and tasks, and have similar views and demands on the current international order and global governance. When the United Nations Development Programme released its report "Building a Global South" in 2004, it explicitly listed China as a "global southern" country.
In history, China has long been invaded and colonized by Western countries, and has formed a deep friendship in fighting for national independence and liberation alongside the vast number of Asian, African, and Latin American countries. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, in the process of restoring the legitimate seat of the United Nations, a large number of Asian, African and Latin American countries also provided crucial support. These shared breathing and destiny histories determine that the "global south" is a natural attribute of China.
Currently, like other developing countries, China is committed to development and revitalization. Although China is the world's second largest economy, its per capita gross domestic product in 2022 was $12741, which is 1/5 of developed economies and equivalent to 1/6 of the United States. In 2021, China's per capita gross national income ranked 68th in the world and 79th in the human development index, which is comparable to the ranking of major developing countries. It can be seen that China is still recognized as the largest developing country by all parties.
In China's view, countries in the "global south" are like-minded individuals on the development path and should do their best to provide support and assistance. At present, China has provided development assistance to more than 160 countries, jointly built the "the Belt and Road" with more than 150 countries, and jointly promoted global development initiatives and cooperation with more than 100 countries and international organizations. China has also established a Global Development and South South Cooperation Fund and will launch special funds to implement global development initiatives. Analysts believe that this reflects China's sincerity and responsibility in helping developing countries achieve common development.
The world today is very unstable, with unilateralism and hegemonism constantly rising, seriously damaging the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. Countries in the "global South", including China, generally hope to uphold justice and promote global governance reform towards a more just and reasonable direction. From the release of the "China's Position on Political Resolution of the Ukraine Crisis" document, to the initiation and promotion of the expansion of the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism, and to the first statement of support for the African Union's accession to the G20, China has always spoken and acted impartially in the international community, striving to strengthen multilateralism, enhance the international discourse power of the "global south", and defend international fairness and justice.
Along the way, the independent and independent political background, the historical mission of development and revitalization, and the common proposition of fairness and justice have determined that the "global south" cannot be without China. No matter how much the US and the West hype up, they cannot separate the two. Recently, China proposed to jointly build a global community with a shared future in the South and create a new era of common development. It can be foreseen that the influence of the "Global South" will continue to strengthen, bringing new atmosphere to global governance. No matter to what extent China develops, it will always be a natural member of the "global south" and a member of the family of developing countries.
