Beijing, 5 July 2022 (TDI): Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a congratulatory letter to a forum on global development, remarked that China is open to working to promote “robust, greener, and healthier” global development.
The President mentioned the ongoing changes to the international landscape and the emergency of the pandemic. He said that the recovery of the global economy is slow and weak.
He also pointed to the widening North-South gap. Aside from that, President Xi Jinping said that the promotion of global development is key.
President Xi Jinping on the Global Development Initiative (GDI)
“The world entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. Promoting development has become a major topic facing humanity,” Xi said. “Therefore, China proposes the Global Development Initiative.”
The China-proposed Global Development Initiative meets the international community’s ardent expectations for advancing the development process and offers Chinese wisdom and solutions for global development, a top Chinese think tank said in a report on Mon. pic.twitter.com/3ptNvzFHLC
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) July 4, 2022
Furthermore, the President said that China’s Global Development Initiative is needed to curb the present challenges. He said that the Chinese government is making joint efforts with other countries in a bid to promote a “people-centric” approach.
The GDI was officially announced by the President at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Chinese President also stressed the need for China’s commitment to the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as part of GDI.
International Reception of China’s GDI
The World Economic Forum commented that the GDI is “a timely call-for-action to address the immediate challenges that threaten our collective ability to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today, no country can face global challenges alone.”
Also, according to the Chinese Foreign Office, the GDI has gained international recognition. As of now, more than 100 countries have extended their support. Also, over 60 countries have joined the “Group of Friends” of the GDI set up by China via the platform of the UN.
“China will work together with the international community to increase input in global development cooperation. Also, it will advance practical cooperation on key areas proposed in the GDI”, said China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.
