AMIDST the global chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing uncertainties in the international arena, China is taking bold steps to reduce its international isolation and stimulate economic growth. One key focus of China’s developmental strategy is encapsulated in the theme of the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS): “Openness leads to development, cooperation creates a win-win future.” This theme reflects China’s commitment to fostering sustainable development through international engagement and collaboration. The theme of the 2023 CIFTIS underscores the importance of openness and cooperation in driving economic development. It represents a significant departure from isolationist policies and highlights China’s determination to play a more active and constructive role on the global stage. In essence, this theme is a call to action for Chinese society to unite and contribute to the nation’s development.
On the global stage, China is rapidly expanding its political space in the realm of economic development. The transition from a unipolar world to a more multilateral framework, coupled with the rise of protectionist measures in the West, has sparked a profound debate over global developmental politics. China’s response, characterized by its commitment to openness and cooperation, stands as an alternative model of development. It positions China as a global leader willing to create a win-win situation for all nations through mutual collaboration.
The 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) represents a multifaceted dimension of China’s global engagement. On one side, it embodies economic development and innovation, while on the other, it serves as a political and diplomatic response to the prevailing unipolar world order and counters the Eurocentric developmental model. China’s socialist ideology in the 21st century has gained widespread appeal among the world’s eight billion inhabitants, offering a vision of sustainable development through harmonious coexistence, multilateralism and the preservation of cultural heritage. China, at the forefront of providing an alternative sustainable multilateral world order, has attracted the attention and support of many nations. The recent BRICS meeting and the participation of countries like Cambodia, Malaysia and global organizations and companies in CIFTIS highlight the growing global interest in China’s approach to development.
In his video speech at the 2023 CIFTIS, President Xi Jinping articulated a vision that aligns with the theme. He emphasized China’s commitment to making its development environment more open and inclusive. President Xi’s vision emphasizes the importance of innovation, digitalization and modernization in driving sustainable development. It also underscores China’s willingness to collaborate with other nations and parties in pursuit of inclusive development. CIFTIS has been a platform for promoting sustainable development not only within China but also on the global stage. Over the years, it has attracted a diverse array of participants from around the world, including over 500 Global Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises. This internationalization reflects China’s commitment to fostering global economic integration and cooperation. China’s corridor for sustainable development, with its theme of openness and cooperation, has not only resonated within the nation but also garnered attention worldwide.Inspiring from China’s initiative for global sustainable development, a group of young professionals from Pakistan established Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD) – a think tank to carry-out research and advocacy on sustainable development along Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China’s bilateral relationships and active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), highlight the country’s commitment to fostering economic connectivity and mutual development with its global neighbours. Chinese developmental initiatives based on harmonious coexistence are a counter hegemonic response to euro-centrism. The Eurocentric developmental model, historically rooted in colonialism and imperialism, has long been the dominant paradigm for global development. It prioritizes the interests of the West and perpetuates a hierarchical power structure that leaves many nations marginalized. This one-size-fits-all approach has often led to unequal development, fostering global disparities and social unrest. From a Marxist perspective, this unilateral development approach creates unevenness at a global scale, perpetuating economic and social inequalities that serve as breeding grounds for unrest and conflict.
China’s counter to Eurocentric hegemony lies in its “Corridor for Sustainable Development” initiative, guided by the principles of openness leading to development and cooperation creating a win-win future. This initiative seeks to provide an inclusive and equitable path to development that embraces diversity, respects sovereignty and promotes mutual benefits. It is grounded in the belief that global peace and prosperity can only be achieved through harmonious coexistence and a multilateral approach and it serves as an antidote to the divisive and exploitative nature of the Eurocentric model. The BRICS Summit 2023 exemplifies the growing global interest in multilateralism and China’s vision of development. These nations, representing diverse cultures, economies and political systems, have come together to challenge the traditional power structures that have dominated the global stage. The BRICS countries recognize that a multilateral approach to development is not only more equitable but also essential for global stability.
The 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) serves as a testament to China’s commitment to multilateral engagement. This event brings together countries like Cambodia, Malaysia and numerous global organizations and companies, offering a platform for collaborative economic growth and cultural exchange. By participating in CIFTIS, these nations and entities signal their endorsement of China’s alternative developmental model. China’s counter developmental hegemony represents a paradigm shift away from the Eurocentric developmental model that has dominated the world for centuries. Grounded in principles of multilateralism, cooperation and cultural preservation, China’s approach offers a path to sustainable development that resonates with a diverse and globalized world. The recent BRICS meeting and the participation in CIFTIS underscore the growing international support for China’s vision. In the pursuit of global peace and prosperity, harmonious coexistence and a multilateral approach, as championed by socialist China, may prove to be the key to a more equitable and just world order for all.
—The writer is a Pakistani Climate Youth Leader, UN SDGs Advocate and an expert on Youth Development in the Global South.
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