Members of the Group of Friends for Peace convened at the United Nations and advocated for diplomatic solutions on Thursday to call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine's conflict.
China, Brazil and other Global South nations formed the Group of Friends for Peace last year to uphold the UN Charter, foster consensus for a political resolution to the crisis and advance the prospects of peace.
The "highly successful meeting" focused on recent developments in the Ukraine conflict, ongoing dynamics surrounding peace talks, and prospects for lasting peace, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, in a statement.
Highlighting that only a negotiated political solution, including inclusive diplomacy and political means based on the UN Charter, can bring this conflict to an end, Fu said that the group members "stand ready to contribute to a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a better future for all."
The group is worried about the risks and crises arising from the conflict, which has caused repercussions affecting many countries, including those in the Global South, according to the statement.
"Issues such as food and energy security, as well as humanitarian assistance, should be integral to the peace process, and the voices of the Global South should be heard and heeded in supporting peace in the region," read the statement.
Group of Friends for Peace calls for immediate, comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine crisis
International observers have commended China's steady development trajectory as a source of confidence and stability for the global economy, with experts from Russia and Mexico highlighting the strategic direction set out in the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Chinese lawmakers on Thursday approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, wrapping up this year's "two sessions", the country's annual political gatherings widely watched around the world.
Experts and officials shared their perspectives on China's policy direction, particularly its focus on technological innovation and systematic development.
"The entire population has benefited from China's economic achievements and successes. At present, preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan are particularly noteworthy precisely because the country's leadership is striving to reach a new level in addressing social challenges. This five-year period will be extremely difficult in terms of the foreign policy environment. Global turbulence is increasing, and problems and challenges that may come from abroad must be compensated for by internal development. China has successfully done this so far, and is now doing it even more systematically and with greater precision," said Dmitry Novikov, first deputy chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of Russia's State Duma, on Tuesday.
Mexican economist Enrique Dussel, professor of economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said China's remarkable progress in high-tech sectors was a result of the continuity and focus of its innovation policies.
"This is very present in the 'two sessions'. There is a coherent bet regarding high tech. So China does not copy and paste existing technologies, but is increasingly specializing in new disruptive technologies and innovations, from artificial intelligence to electric automobiles, autonomous transportation, nanotechnology and new technologies in which China is becoming the leader," he said.
"China has become the leader in a group of key sectors in global value chains. And very importantly, China today is pushing in these new high tech sectors through policies, such as new productive forces. So everything shows, we expect that China will continue with this path in the next Five-Year Plan," he said.
As global uncertainties mount, observers noted that China's systematic approach to development and its emphasis on shared progress offer valuable lessons and opportunities for cooperation, particularly for countries in the Global South seeking sustainable development pathways.
Int'l observers view China's 15th Five-Year Plan as source of global confidence
