2024 has unfolded as a year fraught with challenges. Geopolitical tensions are mounting, economic instabilities are deepening, and conflicts continue to persist across regions. From the unresolved conflict in Ukraine to spiraling tensions in the Middle East, and economic instability in parts of Africa and Latin America, the globe appears as a mosaic of volatility.
According to a 2024 public opinion survey conducted in 20 countries by the Global Times Institute, economic crises and international wars are people’s top concerns. Amidst this chaos, peace remains the universal hope.
Amid the global turbulence, China has emerged as a pillar of stability, contributing significant balance to the troubled world. In his 2025 New Year address, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that China, as a responsible major country, is actively promoting global governance reform and deepening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South.
China’s vision for global peace is rooted in the belief that true peace can only emerge in an environment where economic development flourishes. This philosophy has manifested through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the expansion of the BRICS group.
The BRI has been transformative across the globe. In Peru, approximately 80 kilometers from the capital Lima, the Chancay Port was inaugurated during President Xi’s visit this year. This is the first smart and green port in South America, and upon completion of its first phase, it will reduce shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. Goods from across Latin America will be efficiently transported to the port and onward to Asia through the combination of the port and the Pan-American Highway.
Meanwhile, the China-Europe Railway Express, a flagship project under the BRI, surpassed 100,000 cumulative trips in 2024, bolstering trade connectivity across continents. The Qianhai Port in southern China has become a landmark of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, enhancing regional cooperation between western China and Southeast Asia. With 155 countries and regions now participating in the BRI framework, this “road to prosperity” has benefited millions, enhancing infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people exchanges globally.
Moreover, China has played a leading role in empowering the Global South. At the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi called on China and Africa to deepen cooperation and “promote modernization of the Global South with China-Africa modernization.” China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for the 15th consecutive year. By the end of June 2024, China had granted zero tariffs on 98 percent of tariff items from 27 least-developed African countries. The 2024 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report highlights China’s preferential trade measures, which have bolstered exports from least-developed countries by over 12 percent annually.
China’s commitment to economic development as a pathway to peace resonates globally. By fostering economic growth and cooperation, China is contributing to global stability during a turbulent time. As the world grapples with multiple challenges, China’s steadfastness offers a dash of stability and hope for a more prosperous and peaceful future.
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With hope and steadfastness, China shares a dash of stability
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