The Tanzania-Zambia Railway, a monument to China-Africa cooperation 

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In mid-June, an academic dialogue titled “Reimagining International Development: Narratives, Governance, and Practices” was held in Beijing by the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA) at China Agricultural University (CAU). Scholars examined the progress, achievements, and theoretical innovations in current international development cooperation, and explored potential paths for future cooperation. 

According to Xu Xiuli, a professor from the College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) at CAU and dean of the CIDGA, as the world calls for innovative narratives and governance of international development, the academic dialogue sought to pool the wisdom of scholars and practitioners from all over the world to empower the Global South in proactively shaping the research agenda of international development admist the new wave of knowledge innovation in this field. 

Indigenousness, autonomy stressed 

Since the new era, China has injected its own development experience along with the principles and practices of South-South Cooperation into international development cooperation, fostering a philosophy and model of international development cooperation with Chinese characteristics. 

In 2014, China proposed the “Cooperation Initiative on Poverty Reduction in East Asia” and actively collaborated with Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar on its implementation. By drawing upon China’s successful experience in targeted poverty alleviation and taking relevant measures, the three partner countries significantly improved the living conditions in participating villages. This program has effectively facilitated international knowledge exchanges on poverty reduction and deepened China’s friendship with these nations.

Summarizing cooperation experience from this program, Li Xin, deputy director-general of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China, stressed building a joint management team comprising experts and officials from the three countries, and highlighted the importance of indigenous and autonomous development approaches with a view to create coordinated development plans and foster mutual understanding.

The vision of global governance featuring shared growth through discussion and collaboration has been integral to China-Africa cooperation. “Simple technology, big harvest” and “small beans, big nutrition” are the two key phases of a program for China-Africa cooperation on rural development and poverty alleviation and reduction in Tanzania, led by Li Xiaoyun, a senior chair professor at CAU. Xu Jin, an associate professor from the COHD, underscored the necessity to fully understand African countries’ development needs and purposes, thereby achieving real development cooperation and building a new interactive development model. 

A new role to play

An increasing number of countries from the Global South are seeking to engage in international cooperation and dialogue in more autonomous and equitable ways, which aligns with China’s model of international development cooperation based on equality and mutual benefits. P. H. T. Kumara, a professor from the Uva Wellassa University in Sri Lanka, noted that in Sri Lanka, there is a heightened focus on crafting an indigenous development model tailored to local conditions, reflecting growing appeals for independent and proactive development. 

New development has generated new narratives, said Judith Kahamba, a lecturer from the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, adding that development is interpreted along multiple dimensions today. Owing to China’s assistance, Tanzania has improved its infrastructure and increased its participation in international trade. Kahamba emphasized that cooperation must be grounded in reality, as this enables all parties to truly understand a country’s development status and environment, leading to more effective and concrete participation.

As a staunch advocate of multilateralism, China has demonstrated the faith and the power to continuously promote international development cooperation. Violante Di Canossa, a development research consultant at the United Nations Development Programme (China), emphasized China’s position as a key pillar of the United Nations and other multilateral systems. By sharing valuable domestic development experience and engaging in South-South Cooperation, China can play a constructive role in a series of common global issues, advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Yao Shuai, deputy director of the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the China Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, urged major countries to continue to play their roles globally. With a wealth of experience, advanced technologies, and diverse products, China has prominent advantages. Tapping these advantages will further evidence the value of Chinese concepts and initiatives, Yao said.

Edited by CHEN MIRONG