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Global observers laud China's growth model, principle for int'l cooperation

China

China

China

Global observers laud China's growth model, principle for int'l cooperation

2025-03-10 17:45 Last Updated At:23:57

China's commitment to opening-up and its steady development have created new opportunities worldwide, fostering cooperation and win-win partnerships with countries across the world, according to international observers closely following the country's annual "two sessions".

The annual sessions of China's national legislature and top political advisory body will outline the country's priorities and plans for the economy, diplomacy, military, and social development in 2025.

Gert Grobler, former South African ambassador to Spain, Japan, and Madagascar who is now an honorary professor at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, voiced confidence that the outcomes of these meetings would further fuel China's economic development, positioning the country to continue playing a constructive role on the global stage.

"The whole world is looking at what's happening in China now. Everyone wants to know what China is going to do in the next number of years. The [Chinese] president introduced a number of very constructive initiatives, which is supported by the international community, many countries in the world, particularly in Africa. I'm confident that the measures and the direction that the two sessions will decide on over the next day or two will place China in a position of confidence, a position of determination to expand, amongst others, its economy. China will play an ongoing constructive role in the world. There's no doubt about that," Grobler said.

Tunde Rahman, senior special assistant on Media, Publicity, and Special Duties to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commended Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision, noting that most African nations are now keen to strengthen cooperation with China.

"President Xi Jinping, that's the kind of visionary leader who has been emphasizing and implementing reforms, reform and opening-up. It has shown clearly that he believes in innovation. Most African countries would like to work with (China) now, because they are also seeking to develop their economy, develop technology. They have a lot to take from China," Rahman stated.

Adolfo Pastran, a deputy to Nicaragua's National Assembly, spoke highly of international cooperation within the framework of China's Belt and Road Initiative for offering growth opportunities to the Global South.

"The Belt and Road Initiative and related cooperation follow a win-win principle, which is entirely different from past models. This offers unprecedented opportunities for Global South countries, including Nicaragua, in areas like exchange and collaboration. Moreover, such kind of cooperation has no additional conditions or strings attached," said Pastran.

Global observers laud China's growth model, principle for int'l cooperation

Global observers laud China's growth model, principle for int'l cooperation

Global observers laud China's growth model, principle for int'l cooperation

Global observers laud China's growth model, principle for int'l cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pledged to repair the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude oil to Central Europe via Ukraine, within about one and a half months, with support from the European Union (EU), according to a letter sent to EU leaders on Tuesday.

The Druzhba pipeline, also known as the Friendship Pipeline, has been out of operation since the end of January due to an attack.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa confirmed the commitment in a joint statement issued the same day.

According to the statement, Ukraine welcomes and accepts technical support and funding from EU, so as to repair the pipeline and restore the flow of oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

Oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary were suspended following an attack on January 27, Ukrainian officials said, blaming Russia for the pipeline damage. Slovakia later declared an oil emergency and claimed that Ukraine was deliberately halting oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.

One Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said the Slovak government can't accept the Ukrainian president's unilateral and harmful move to halt oil transit.

Fico emphasized that the EU must not prioritize Ukraine's interests over those of EU-member states such as Slovakia or Hungary.

Slovakia expects the EU to pressure Ukraine to resume the oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline, said Fico.

Also on Monday, Hungary and Slovakia signed an agreement to build a new pipeline to transport gasoline and diesel between the two countries.

In a video posted on Facebook, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said he had signed an agreement earlier in the day with Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova to construct the pipeline linking the oil refineries in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, and Szazhalombatta in central Hungary.

According to Szijjarto, the pipeline will be 127 km long and capable of transporting up to 1.5 million tons of oil products annually, including diesel and gasoline.

He said the project would strengthen Hungary's energy supply, particularly diesel supplies, and help improve regional energy security.

The pipeline is expected to be completed in the first half of next year and will allow direct transportation of refined oil products between the two refineries, the minister added.

Ukraine pledges to repair Druzhba pipeline with EU support

Ukraine pledges to repair Druzhba pipeline with EU support

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