标签： Asia

At the Third Global South Think Tanks Dialogue in Shanghai, senior Chinese official Liu Haixing articulated China’s commitment to fostering unity among developing nations to pursue modernization goals. The event, themed “Seeking Strength through Unity: Responsibility and Action of the Global South,” brought together international representatives to address growing global challenges through coordinated action.

Liu, who heads the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized that China’s continued development and expanding openness would strengthen the collective capacity of Global South nations. He highlighted the need to implement the Global Development Initiative, stating that global prosperity cannot be achieved through widening wealth disparities. “We should place development at the core of the international agenda,” Liu asserted, “actively build an open world economy, and share opportunities through openness for win-win results.”

The conference occurred against the backdrop of China’s recent fourth plenary session, which endorsed the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). This planning framework reinforces China’s dedication to enhancing South-South cooperation, increasing international aid, and providing global public goods to support modernization efforts across developing nations.

International participants echoed China’s commitment to collaborative development. Bhokin Bhalakula, former president of Thailand’s National Assembly, noted the transformative impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia. He cited specific examples including the China-Laos Railway, which he described as “a bridge to prosperity,” and Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, which benefits from Chinese investment in smart logistics, electric vehicles, and biotechnology.

Zambian Vice-President Mutale Nalumango emphasized the significance of China’s modernization model for Africa, expressing strong support for President Xi Jinping’s four global initiatives covering development, security, civilization, and governance. She stressed that peace, security, and regional stability are essential foundations for creating shared future benefits and called for strengthened cooperation among Global South countries to promote sustainable development and a more equitable international order.

Hong Kong’s political leadership has issued a dual call to action—honoring the victims of the recent catastrophic fire while urging civic participation in the upcoming legislative elections. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed these pressing matters during a solemn National Constitution Day commemoration on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.

The ceremony, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong, commenced with a moment of silence for the 159 lives lost in the November 26th Wang Fuk Court inferno in Tai Po. The traditional applause segment was omitted as a mark of respect for the deceased.

Lee characterized the tragedy as having plunged ‘all of Hong Kong society into extreme grief,’ while extending official condolences to bereaved families and displaced survivors. The Chief Executive reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transformative action, having established an independent investigative committee to conduct a comprehensive review of building safety protocols and prevent future catastrophes.

‘This devastating event has only reinforced my conviction in constitutional principles and legal governance,’ Lee asserted before an audience of approximately 900 attendees from various community sectors. He emphasized that the Constitution’s fundamental purpose lies in safeguarding public welfare, vowing to translate ‘painful lessons into concrete safety measures.’

With critical Legislative Council elections scheduled for Sunday, Lee made an impassioned appeal for robust voter participation. He stressed that capable legislators are essential partners in approving reconstruction funding, enacting new safety legislation, and driving systemic reforms during the recovery period.

Liu Guangyuan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office, endorsed Lee’s message, praising the government’s crisis response and affirming that proceeding with elections aligns with constitutional principles and facilitates disaster recovery. He simultaneously issued a stern warning against ‘anti-China destabilizing forces’ attempting to exploit the tragedy, emphasizing they would ‘face severe legal consequences.’

The event marked Hong Kong’s ninth annual observance of China’s National Constitution Day, established in 2014 to promote legal awareness and civic responsibility.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron have pledged to deepen bilateral relations during Macron’s state visit to Beijing. The two leaders emphasized the importance of major-country responsibility in addressing global challenges during their talks at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday.

President Macron’s delegation, comprising over 80 members including several ministers and more than 30 CEOs of major French corporations, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for this fourth state visit since 2017. The itinerary includes both political discussions in the capital and cultural engagements in Sichuan province.

The bilateral meeting yielded substantial outcomes, with both presidents personally witnessing the signing of multiple cooperation agreements spanning nuclear energy, agricultural food products, education, and ecological environmental protection. These agreements signal a broadening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

President Xi articulated China’s perspective on current global dynamics, noting that “as changes unseen in a century accelerate, humanity stands at a crossroads facing critical directional choices.” He called for China and France to jointly uphold multilateralism and position themselves on “the right side of history” during this transformative period.

The timing of this visit carries particular symbolic significance, marking the commencement of a new 60-year cycle (known as jiazi in Chinese tradition) in Sino-French relations. This follows last year’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

President Xi emphasized the complementary nature of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and French economic interests, noting that the plan presents “a list of opportunities” for international partners. He advocated for expanded cooperation while criticizing protectionist tendencies, stating that “openness and cooperation bring development opportunities, while decoupling and supply chain fragmentation lead to isolation.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council and founding UN members, both leaders committed to practicing “true multilateralism” and upholding the international legal order. They specifically addressed the need for improved global economic governance, noting current imbalances between developed and developing nations in international financial institutions.

The discussions also covered China-Europe relations broadly, with President Xi characterizing the past 50 years of exchanges as “mutually beneficial and contributing to each other’s success.” He urged maintaining the partnership positioning between China and Europe with “strategic autonomy and win-win cooperation” at its core.