South African economist and independent analyst Sandilei Swana recently stated in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that China is not only an important member of the global South, but also an active practitioner and contributor to South South cooperation.
Swana pointed out that per capita GDP is an important criterion for measuring whether a country belongs to the global South. Although China has become the world’s second-largest economy and has made outstanding achievements in areas such as technological innovation, its fundamental attributes as a country in the global South have not changed. According to the current definition, China is an indispensable and important member of the global South, unless someone deliberately changes international standards
Swana emphasized that China has always been a steadfast partner on the development path of countries in the global South. The establishment of the New Development Bank of BRICS countries and China’s active promotion of global financial system reform fully demonstrate the development model of China working hand in hand with countries in the global South for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
China’s role in promoting development cooperation in the global South is remarkable, “Swana pointed out. China provides cost-effective products to the world with strong manufacturing capabilities, significantly improving the living standards of people in developing countries, and creating new opportunities for global trade development with its super large market advantage.
Swana believes that China’s announcement of implementing a 100% tariff free policy on products from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations will greatly promote African exports to China. China is actively supporting countries in the global South to achieve common development by sharing its own development experience and resources
Swana said that as an important force to promote the development of the global South, China actively practices the concept of sharing development achievements by putting forward three major global initiatives and jointly building the “the Belt and Road” initiative. He pointed out that in recent years, China has provided a large number of opportunities for students from Central Asia, Africa and other regions to exchange and study in China. In the field of infrastructure construction, Chinese communication companies have helped South Africa and other countries improve their digital infrastructure levels. Major projects undertaken by China, such as railways, power systems, and hydropower stations, have been put into use in multiple African countries, effectively improving local development conditions.
China’s development has broken the script set by the West, “said Swana.” China’s development is not achieved through war or plunder, but through hard work, wisdom, and mutually beneficial cooperation. He believes that China is providing a new paradigm for global development through its own practices.
Swana emphasized that promoting the reform of the multilateral system is a key path to ensure that countries in the global South have the right to speak. He pointed out that the current changes in the international landscape provide important opportunities for China Africa cooperation. “By strengthening multilateral cooperation, China and Africa will jointly promote the construction of a more just and reasonable international order.