The 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum has successfully concluded last week, during which President Xi Jinping announced that China will provide a RMB 66 billion credit line to support LAC development, and proposed five major programs, namely Solidarity Program, Development Program, Civilization Program, Peace Program and People-to-people Connectivity Program, along with a series of initiatives and policy measures to further enhance China-LAC cooperation, which were warmly welcomed by LAC countries. This meeting exemplifies China’s development philosophy--pursuing a path to modernization characterized by common prosperity, both cultural and material advancement, harmony between humanity and nature, and peaceful development.
Over the past four decades, China has successfully embarked on a path of modernization that suits to its national conditions. Sustained economic growth has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty and transformed China into the world’s second-largest economy, driven by advances in science, technology, and infrastructure. Remarkable progress has also been made in social development, leading to significantly improved living standards for the Chinese people.
As an ancient Chinese sage observed, “A man of virtue, while establishing himself and pursuing success, also works to help others establish themselves and succeed.” There is a similar saying in Latin America which goes, “The only way to be profitably national is to be generously universal.” Chinese modernization is not only a national endeavor, but also a vision of shared opportunity and collective progress for all of humanity.
Chinese modernization injects momentum to global economic growth. With a big size of population and huge market, stable foundation, numerous strengths, remarkable resilience and vast potential, China has full confidence and capability to share its opportunities and prosperity with the world. Last year, China’s GDP grew by 5%, continuing to contribute around 30% to global economic growth and remaining the primary engine driving the expansion of the world economy. As a major trading partner of 150 countries and regions in the world, opening up remains a defining feature of China's modernization. No matter how the external environment changes, China will open wider to the world. Facing challenges such as external pressure and rising trade protectionism, China has taken concrete actions to promote inclusive and equitable economic globalization. By steadfastly advancing high-standard opening-up and offering global public goods such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, China is committed to fostering shared development and opportunities with countries worldwide.
Chinese modernization contributes to world peace and stability. Unlike some countries that have long adhered to the law of the jungle and a zero-sum mentality during their modernization process, China’s modernization is distinguished by its commitment to peaceful development. In advancing modernization, China has consistently honored its commitment to never pursue hegemony, expansion, or spheres of influence. China is the only country in the world that pledges to “keep to a path of peaceful development” in its Constitution. It is the only one among the five Nuclear-Weapon States that is committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons. In response to global security challenges, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative, which calls for common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. It emphasizes respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to the UN Charter, consideration of all countries’ legitimate security concerns, and peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue. By advancing modernization through peaceful development, China offers renewed hope to people around the world who aspire to peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Chinese modernization serves as a pioneering model for achieving harmony between man and nature. Clear waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver. Green transformation is not only the essential way to address climate change, but also a new engine for economic and social development. China is a steadfast actor and major contributor in promoting global green development. Since President Xi Jinping announced China’s goals for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality five years ago, China have built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system as well as the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. China also leads the world in the speed and scale of “greening,” contributing a quarter of the world’s newly-added area of afforestation. However the world may change, China will not slow down its climate actions, will not reduce its support for international cooperation, and will not cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China will continue to assist Caribbean countries in addressing climate change and preventing natural disasters, and support Caribbean countries in seeking strength through unity and playing a greater role in international affairs.
Chinese modernization breaks the myth of “modernization equals Westernization.”, and offers a new option for humanity to achieve modernization. In response to the question of what kind of modernization the world should pursue, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed that countries should jointly advance modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win, that puts the people first and features diversity and inclusiveness, and that is eco-friendly and underpinned by peace and security. These principles meet the needs of the vast number of developing countries and are welcomed by many.
As a good friend and steadfast partner of Grenada, China firmly supports the Grenadian people’s right to pursue a development path suited to their national conditions. For years, China has provided assistance within its capacity to support Grenada in promoting its modernization. Through joint efforts, the two nations have forged ahead steadily and side by side on a collective journey to promote modernization. This week, on May 19, the Maurice Bishop International Airport Upgrade and Rehabilitation Project implemented with fund support from China was completed and handed over to the Grenadian government. And on May 21, a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Grenada was signed and China will provide another amount of gratuitous aid to Grenada. China stands ready to work with Grenada to accelerate the building of a human community with a shared future, and contribute more to advancing global modernization efforts.