China's proposals on peace, development, civilization to further promote cooperation in Global South: commentary

The proposals on common security, common development and harmony among civilizations for the "BRICS Plus" countries put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday will further promote cooperation among the Global South countries, according to a commentary released by the China Media Group (CMG) on Friday.

An edited English-language version of the commentary is as follows:

On Oct 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the "BRICS Plus" leaders' dialogue, elaborating on the keywords of "peace", "development" and "civilization". This once again underscored China's enduring commitment to the Global South and its foundational ties to these nations.

In his speech, Xi put forward a three-point proposal: We should uphold peace and strive for common security, reinvigorate development and strive for common prosperity, and join efforts to promote development of all civilizations and strive for harmony among them. Xi also introduced the progress in implementing the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and announced a series of measures that China has taken to promote the development of the Global South, which has sparked heated discussions in the international community.

As the world's largest developing country, China has always been a steadfast supporter of the Global South, working to foster collective development and providing new ideas and strength to address the common challenges faced by mankind.

The Global Security Initiative has made significant strides in various areas such as maintaining regional stability. The Global Development Initiative has mobilized nearly 20 billion U.S. dollars in development funds since its introduction three years ago and has launched more than 1,100 projects with more than 80 countries participating in the Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative. Additionally, the Global Civilization Initiative has advanced the concept of a 'garden of world civilizations,' fostering a space where countries can share and appreciate the unique beauty of each civilization.

President Xi's three-point proposal raised at the BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue aligns with the three major global initiatives and holds significant practical importance. Currently, the crisis in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza are persisting; global protectionism is on the rise; the North-South divide is widening; and the world economy is struggling to recover. The path to revitalizing the Global South is destined to be bumpy. In this context, the BRICS mechanism, which leads cooperation among the Global South, addresses actual needs and meet common expectations.

Today, the Global South accounts for more than 40 percent of the world economy, with the BRICS countries contributing approximately 30 percent of global economic output.

In addition, China and Brazil, along with other like-minded Global South countries, launched the "Friends of Peace" platform addressing the Ukrainian crisis. Numerous projects, such as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Senegal Foundiougne Bridge, the Kenya Airport Expressway, and the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, have been completed and handed over. The BRICS Civilization Dialogue activities provided a broad platform for promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation. These efforts demonstrate the BRICS mechanism's capacity to lead the Global South toward shared modernization.

Common security aligns with the security needs of the Global South. At the dialogue, China urged all BRICS members to unite as a stabilizing force for peace, strengthen global security governance, and seek solutions that address both the symptoms and root causes of hotspot issues.

China proposed promoting early de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine, continuing efforts for a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and preventing the spread of conflict in Lebanon. In the future, the BRICS family will remain committed to advocating for conflict resolution and working toward global peace.

Common prosperity is the shared goal of the Global South. Not long ago, 15 countries including China, Russia and Brazil jointly issued an initiative on international cooperation for new industrialization, with BRICS cooperation pressing the 'accelerator button' on development across the Global South.

At the dialogue, China called on the BRICS family to play an active and leading role in the global economic governance reform and make development the core of international economic and trade agenda. China also proposed establishing a World Smart Customs Community Portal and a BRICS Customs Center of Excellence, aimed at further uniting developing countries as partners on the path to development and revitalization.

Diversity of civilizations is a core value embraced by the Global South. In recent years, cultural exchanges among BRICS countries have flourished, with film festivals, art exhibitions, sports events, academic forums, and other activities building bridges of dialogue among civilizations.

At the dialogue, China proposed strengthening communication and mutual support, encouraging each nation to pursue a path to modernization aligned with its unique national conditions. It also announced plans to coordinate the formation of a Global South Think Tanks Alliance, aiming to inject new momentum into exchanges among civilizations.

Modernization is a shared pursuit of mankind. The collective advancement of the Global South countries towards modernization represents a significant milestone in world history and an unprecedented feat in the process of human civilization.

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for further deepening reforms and promoting Chinese modernization, which will undoubtedly provide more opportunities for the global community.

To ensure that the outcomes of modernization benefit every country and individual and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind is what China aims for and also is the collaborative goal of the Global South.

China's proposals on peace, development, civilization to further promote cooperation in Global South: commentary

Pakistani warplanes struck several locations across Afghanistan on Thursday night and Friday, killing at least six people, including a woman and a child, and wounding more than a dozen others, local officials said.

The strikes hit a fuel depot near the country's Kandahar Airport, areas in the capital Kabul, and the eastern Nangarhar Province.

A Pakistani security source said the strikes targeted hideouts belonging to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In Kabul's 21st police district, one of the areas hit, a market was left in ruins. Several cars were destroyed, and windows of buildings in the market and nearby areas were shattered. A crater caused by the Pakistani airstrikes was also visible.

"This is my car. I had parked it here, and it was the only way I could bring food to my family's table. It was my sole source of income and my only means of employment. Now my car is in this condition, and I have no other way to provide for my family," said Mohamad Ghulam, a taxi driver.

The airstrikes destroyed a house, killing four members of a single family. More than a dozen other households in the area reported their homes either fully or partially destroyed.

One of the victims was 22-year-old Hedayatullah, who had just been married. He was killed alongside his pregnant wife, as well as his brother and sister.

"Hedayatullah got married nine months ago. His brother was 18 years old. He himself was 22 years old, he also had a 12-year-old sister, and his wife was about 19 years old and was pregnant," said Ghulam Sakhi, a relative of the victims.

"This neighbor of ours was a family of five. Their mother was not present at the moment of the bombardment, but the rest of them lost their lives. It was Hedayatuallah's family. From my own family, two of my daughters, my sister-in-law, my brother, and two nieces got injured," said Mohamad Homayoun, a survivor.

In the past weeks, scores of people from both sides have been killed or injured in the conflict between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, according to officials from the two countries.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has called for an immediate halt to cross-border clashes, warning that the escalating violence is driving a surge in civilian casualties and deepening a humanitarian crisis.

At least 6 killed, more than a dozen wounded in Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan: officials