As nations of the Global South navigate a rapidly evolving global landscape, a Chinese expert stressed the significance of a unified approach among these nations to tackle the challenges they commonly faced.
In 2024, Global South countries made their mark on the global stage on platforms such as APEC, BRICS, the G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. With its expanding economic power and political influence, the Global South has a key role to play in areas such as trade, investment, security and climate action.
Senior executives from international broadcasting associations and mainstream media professionals expressed the need for stronger Global South voices in world affairs, at the 12th Global Video Media Forum (VMF) held in east China's Fujian Province on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaking to China Global Television Network (CGTN) during the VMF, Gao Yuning, deputy dean of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, emphasized the significance of "common but differentiated responsibilities" in the development of Global South nations.
"I think now we are trying to find a new development path to achieve the development goal, at the same time to surpass the traditional way of just to destroy the environment and overuse of non-renewable resources and others. So I think definitely sustainable development is actually a keyword on that. And there is also some general principle beyond that, just as when we have the global climate change negotiation, I think the principle of common but differentiated responsibility is a kind of a general principle. Actually, a very key issue for the development of all Global South economies," said Gao.
When asked if the collective voice of the Global South can be sustained in the long term, Gao acknowledged the potential for disputes but remained optimistic, citing China's development experience as a valuable example for other Global South nations.
"In the process of trade activities, we definitely will have some disputes or other arguments among each other. However, to find each other's proper position and relative advantage inside the whole system will help the Global South to achieve a better and more prosperous future during the next decades. So inside that, I think China's development experience is actually very good evidence and supporting evidence for these kind of narratives. So, I think more and more Global South economies will benefit from that and will become more supportive," said Gao.
Gao highlighted the role of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and China International Supply Chain Expo in helping create an open and stable trade environment.
"For China to launch the import expo and even recently the global supply chain expo, all this is a kind of a practice that a big trade economy will be able to offer so-called global public goods. That's actually a more stable trade environment, more stable global value chain. And that is not only good for the economy itself, but also for all its partners who want to be involved in these trade networks. So I think this is actually to offer more global public goods," said Gao.
Expert calls for unity among Global South to tackle shared challenges
