Tang Xiaoyang: Why China is a member of the Global South

On 7th of March, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party, spoke about the status and the role of "Global South" at the press conference for the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress, saying that "Global South" plays the pivotal role in reforming the international order instead of being the silent majority. They are hope in a time of change unseen in a century. China has been a staunch member of the 'Global South' in the past, present and future, breathing the same breath as the people, and sharing wealth and woe with the people. And they have always been the backbone of promoting the development and revitalization of the "Global South."

"The Global South" gradually plays an essential role in the international landscape against the backdrop of accelerating changes unseen in a century. How to understand the "Global South"? Why is China a member of the "Global South" and how will China continue to cooperate with the "Global South"? Tang Xiaoyang, head of the Department of International Relations at the School of Social Sciences of Tsinghua University recently accepted an interview with China News Service's East Meet West program.

China News Service Reporter: How to understand the ‘Global South’?

Tang Xiaoyang: "Global South" is an established term. Sometimes it refers to countries that have experienced national independence and liberation from a political perspective. Sometimes it refers to less developed countries in different linguistic contexts. Therefore, there is no specific definition of this concept.

Jilong Port in Xizang is the major land trading route between China and Nepal. This is the part of the Jilong town (shot in April 2018). Photo by He Penglei.

For a long time, the "Global South" and the 'Developing Countries' have been interchangeable in different contexts. To some extent, we see the 'Global South' as developing countries, as the concept itself is a mixture of economic and political reality.

With diverse history, culture and geography, the countries of the Global South are home to vast differences that will be more pronounced than in the Global North. But countries of the "Global South" are now looking for more recognition. It is a process of seeking the common ground while reserving the differences. The 'Global South' does not want to eliminate the difference. Instead, they pursue common goals based on diversity. At present, the "Global South" shares the primary tasks of development and peace, ensuring that all countries build the foundation for coordination and cooperation.

Therefore, we can see that these countries of the 'Global South' adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence, reflected in neither emphasizing alliances nor imposing their own opinions on others, despite differences in politics and economic policies between China and the countries of the 'Global South'. Every country, regardless of its size or wealth, can feel equal and valued in BRICS cooperation, joint development of Belt and Road and other international cooperation mechanisms, which they did not feel when engaging with the "Global North", allowing the "Global South" to maintain its attractiveness in the context of diversification, enabling the countries of the "Global South" to pursue common goals on an equal footing.

On 29^th of December, 2023. The new land route (Chongqing China – Vientiane Laos – Bangkok Thailand) cross-border railway departure ceremony was held in Chongqing and MAP TA PHUT railway station. The 1^st train departs at Tuanjie Village station in Chongqing. Photo by He Penglei.

China News Service Reporter: What do you think of the significance of the ‘Global South’ to the world? What impact does the rise of the countries of the ‘Global South’ have on future international order?

Tang Xiaoyang: After the end of the "Cold War", countries of the "Global South" become the fast-growing and the most dynamic force in the global economy, bringing strong political influence.

Before the end of the Cold War, the countries of the "Global South" concentrated more on ideology and political systems, as demonstrated by the distinction between the "East" and the "West." With the end of the Cold War, the development of globalization, and the substantial increase in the size of the global economy, ideological competition is no longer their priority. The trend and shared vision of peace and development will not change now or in the next 10 to 20 years.

In 2023, emerging and developing economies, which accounted for 70% of the world population, contributed 60% of global GDP (PPP). Against the backdrop of the current backlash against globalization. The countries of the Global South, which continue to promote globalization and common development, will undoubtedly become one of the most essential drivers of world politics and globalized development.

The China Railway Construction Corporation undertook the construction of the Lusail Stadium, the main venue of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. It is the first time that a Chinese company has constructed the main venue of the World Cup as a general contractor of design and construction. In December 2020, the Lusail Stadium project was printed on the fifth set of 10 riyals banknotes by the Central Bank of Qatar, and the "created in China" attracted widespread attention. Photo by Futian.

China News Service Reporter: Why China is a member of the "Global South". How do you understand the relationship between China and the "Global South"?

Tang Xiaoyang: In the past, the history of the PRC embodied its commitment to national rejuvenation and opposition to strong power, which are in line with the original aspiration of the birth of the "Global South". Politically, China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a common political principle among the countries of the "Global South." China saw itself as the largest developing country, unlike some developed countries who condescend to ideas as a "preacher."

Economically, China has enjoyed the fastest economic growth in decades. And China is still one of the major drivers of globalization despite its improved economic situation. Globalization is the common aspiration of all countries of the "Global South. "

At present, the volume of Chinese manufacturing ranks first for 14 consecutive years. Local trade in goods also ranks first in the world. China can be said to be one of the most determined and capable actors in promoting globalization as we promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and build extensive cooperative relations with BRICS countries. Continued progress in globalization will certainly benefit all countries of the "Global South. "

Thus, we should note that whether China is a country in the "Global South" cannot be judged solely by its economic level. All countries in the "Global South" want to develop their economies to make them better. However, after economic development, the role of the "Global South" in history, political concepts and economies will be radically different from the traditional "Global North. "

A large ocean ro-ro ship berths at the Lian Yungang terminal, ready to load 400 vehicles to export to Saudi Arabia. Photo by Wang Chun.

China News Service Reporter: What do China learn from working with other countries in the Global South? How will China better collaborate with the Global South in the future?

Tang Xiaoyang: From my point of view, the cooperation between China and other countries in the "Global South" is an extension of China's development experience. Therefore, the key to collaboration is to seek truth from facts and move steadily.

In China, each place needs to find the most suitable development model for its region in the current era under the common national development goal. Such development requires testing in the actual situation and steady exploration.

The common development of the other countries of the "Global South" is an integral part of modernization. If a country thinks only of its gains and then steals them, it will become the imperialist power of the 19th and 20th centuries, which has been proved unviable by modern world trends.

In 2019, China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Changsha and permanently settled in Hunan. The picture shows an African theatrical performance. Photo by Yang Huafeng.

Modern industrial development creates possibilities for mutual benefit and win-win situations. Countries leverage their comparative advantage through openness and division of labour so that they can promote productive forces several times or even dozens of times. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, countries involved have gained experience in development, achieved industrial development, and increased exports and employment opportunities. China has established more international enterprises, which is beneficial for China's expansion of the "circle of friends" of the industrial chain and the continuous improvement of the quality of development. Therefore, achieving the common development of China and other countries in the "Global South" will be our continued goal.

Guest Profile:

Tang Xiaoyang is a professor and head of the Department of International Relations at Tsinghua University, Changjiang Scholars of the Ministry of Education of China, host of major research projects of the National Social Science Fund. His research focuses on political philosophy, Belt and Road, and modernization in developing countries. Tang Xiaoyang used to work at IFPRI. He has also worked as an advisor to the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Development Bank, various research institutes and consulting firms. He has traveled to more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, interviewed thousands of entrepreneurs, officials, workers and farmers, published more than 50 papers in domestic and foreign journals, and authored the monographs " Co-evolutionary Pragmatism: Approaches and Impacts of China-Africa Economic Cooperation " and "China-Africa Economic Diplomacy and Its Implications to the Global Value Chain."