Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year address has resonated deeply with some experts and scholars in Global South countries like Kenya and Egypt for its demonstration of China's aspirations and hopes for common global prosperity.
Xi, also General Secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, looked back over the past year in his New Year's Eve speech and said it was filled with "touching and unforgettable moments."
In his speech, Xi highlighted China's active role in promoting global governance reform and deepening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South.
Cliff Mboya, a research fellow at Afro-Sino Center of International Relations, said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) that China, as a responsible major country, has been actively seeking shared development opportunities for Global South countries.
"The Global South, and particularly Africa, has been on the periphery of global governance and decision making for a very long time. China talking about reforming the global governance system and reforming it, I think its music in the ears of the countries in the Global South because they have been desiring and wishing to see reforms in the Global South. So this is good news, and it presents China as a political and diplomatic ally that we can use to change some of those rules that have been deemed unfair and unjust to the Global South, so that we may be able to bridge the gap and also drive development of developing countries in the Global South," said Mboya.
He said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) had adapted to global economic challenges and was moving to a higher level to focus on people's livelihoods rather than just infrastructure projects.
"The BRI has been around since 2013, and it was doing so well. But then, at some point, the economic challenges and the global economy right now brought some challenges. So, it was about time the BRI was reviewed to be in touch with the current economic situation. So, we've had railways, we've had bridges, we've had energy projects, but then it needs to move to the next level. Previously, connectivity was focused on physical infrastructure, but then now, we are talking about high-level connectivity in terms of efficiency, in terms of deliverables for the people. And this is good news for Africa and countries in the Global South, because China is talking about new quality productive forces. So, we need to ensure that Africa and countries in the developing south are able to make their contributions in the global economy," he said.
Nourhan El-Sheikh, a professor of political science at Cairo University, said China has set an example for Africa, and President Xi's speech had drawn a clear development path for Global South countries.
"China is a focal power for peace in the whole world. China never attacked any other country and has no colonization history. So, I think we share the same feeling and the same concern for peace. If we are talking about development, we should talk about peace and stability in whole Africa. China is a very important partner for Africa, it is the largest trade partner for Africa, it has the largest financial infrastructure in Africa. So, we have many common interests to build upon. His Excellency President Xi, his speech introduced to us a road map, that road map including many important dimensions. Among them, of course, technological sovereignty, which is very, very important to us, also the power of youth, and how it is important to depend on youth to give them a wide participation in development," she said.
Kenyan, Egyptian experts on Xi's New Year address
Kenyan, Egyptian experts on Xi's New Year address
