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Analysts have reiterated the need to advance the economic, democratic, and green energy sectors of the Global South by adopting elements of the Chinese model.
The experts gave this viewpoint on Friday, February 28, during the 2025 global virtual sessions, which analysed China’s role in the Global South, its economic power, green energy initiatives, and governance models.
The event, organised by the Centre of Geo-economics for the Global South (COGGS), aimed to promote China’s shift from high-speed growth to high-quality development and foster deeper cooperation among Global South nations.
Mohammed Saqib, the convener of COGGS, highlighted China’s focus on technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing, sustainability, financial reforms, increased social-security spending, and rising domestic consumption as key elements of modernisation.
Saqib also contrasted China’s “whole-process people’s democracy” with Western democratic systems, noting that Western systems were often influenced by capitalism, while China’s model prioritised long-term planning and collective decision-making.
He argued that the West used the “China risk” narrative to deflect attention from governance failures at home.
Saqib pointed out that China was leading in tackling climate change, contrasting its efforts with Western double standards by citing the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its promotion of fossil fuel expansion.
He commended China for making decisive moves toward a green energy transition.
French entrepreneur and Sinologist, Arnaud Bertrand, spoke about the U.S.’s export controls on semiconductors and 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, calling it a concern over China’s technological rise.
He noted China’s shift from manufacturing foreign brands to developing its own, with notable successes in electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, which had unsettled Western competitors.
Bertrand also highlighted China’s focus on meritocratic governance, where leaders rise through years of experience, and criticised trade barriers against Chinese green technology, viewing them as fears of losing competitiveness.
Prof. Jose Ricardo from the University of São Paulo emphasised the need to deepen China-Latin America ties to achieve set targets.
He mentioned that China-Brazil trade reached $157.9 billion in 2024, positioning China as the primary trade partner for several Latin American nations.
Ricardo also lauded China’s growing role in global governance through BRICS, which had helped reshape the international economic order to benefit the Global South.
Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, commended China’s contribution to Africa’s growth and called for increased investment in Africa’s green energy sector to promote infrastructural development.
He noted that while the West pressures African nations to cut carbon emissions, China was providing necessary green-energy solutions and infrastructure.
In his keynote address, Nepalese Prime Minister, Sharma Oli, reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
He lauded China’s leadership in fostering connectivity, global equity, and tackling climate change.
Oli described China as a beacon of hope for nations facing environmental challenges.
By Fortune Abang
