At the opening session of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for collective efforts to build a just world of common development. In his speech titled “Building a Just World of Common Development“, Xi outlined China’s commitment to global cooperation and presented eight key actions to support global development.
Emphasizing the unprecedented opportunities and challenges facing humanity, Xi urged G20 leaders to look beyond immediate concerns and view the world as a community with a shared future. “As leaders of major countries, we should not let our vision be blocked by fleeting clouds,” he stated. “We must shoulder our responsibility for history, take historical initiative, and move history forward.”
Eight Actions for Global Development
Xi’s proposed actions are aimed at fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development worldwide:
Pursuing High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Advancing a multidimensional connectivity network that promotes a green Silk Road and empowers a digital Silk Road.
Implementing the Global Development Initiative: Supporting developing countries, deepening cooperation in poverty reduction, food security, and the digital economy.
Supporting Development in Africa: Following the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, China unveiled ten partnership actions to advance modernization in Africa over the next three years, committing financial support.
Supporting International Cooperation on Poverty Reduction and Food Security: Joining the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, hosting the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste.
Promoting Open Science: Proposing an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science alongside Brazil, South Africa, and the African Union to aid the Global South in accessing advances in science and technology.
Boosting Practical Cooperation for the Global South: Supporting the work of the Entrepreneurship Research Center on G20 Economies, enhancing cooperation on digital education and cultural digitization.
Implementing the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan: Strengthening collaboration with developing countries in fugitive repatriation, asset recovery, and anti-corruption capacity building.
Pursuing High-Standard Opening Up: Unilaterally opening China’s markets wider to the least developed countries (LDCs) by granting zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.
Xi highlighted China’s achievements in poverty alleviation, noting that the country has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, meeting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals ahead of schedule. He stressed that China’s experience proves that developing countries can eliminate poverty and achieve modernization through perseverance and unified efforts.
“If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too,” Xi declared, emphasizing China’s commitment to being a reliable, long-term partner for fellow developing nations.
Commitment to Multilateralism and Sustainable Development
Xi underscored the importance of upholding multilateralism and supporting an open, inclusive environment for international economic cooperation. He called for greater resource allocation towards trade, investment, and development cooperation, advocating for more bridges of cooperation and fewer barriers.
“We need to support developing countries in adopting sustainable lifestyles, responding to challenges like climate change and environmental pollution, and achieving harmony between man and nature,” Xi said.
Concluding his address, Xi expressed China’s readiness to work alongside all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty behind, and turn vision into reality.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva chaired the meeting, and prior to the summit’s commencement, Xi and other leaders attended the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, initiated by Brazil.
