南華早報 | 中國與全球南方國家的關(guān)系展現(xiàn)了另一種世界秩序的可能性
作者
王輝耀 | 全球化智庫創(chuàng)始人
當美國和歐盟等主要經(jīng)濟體釋放出回歸保護主義政策的信號時——對中國電動車、光伏產(chǎn)品和半導體加征關(guān)稅，推行碳邊境調(diào)節(jié)機制之際，中國卻反其道而行之，宣布將為40多個最不發(fā)達國家減免關(guān)稅，此舉立即引發(fā)國際社會的高度關(guān)注。
這種戰(zhàn)略思路在“中國在崛起的全球南方中的角色:重新定義未來世界秩序”分論壇上得到充分體現(xiàn)。來自世界各地的領(lǐng)導人分享了對發(fā)展伙伴關(guān)系的真知灼見,與當前國際經(jīng)濟合作前景黯淡形成鮮明對比。
中國與全球南方不斷深化的合作遠不止貿(mào)易數(shù)據(jù)那么簡單,更代表著一種全新的國際合作模式。作為全球120多個國家的最大貿(mào)易伙伴,中國已經(jīng)超越了單純的經(jīng)貿(mào)往來,建立起全方位的發(fā)展伙伴關(guān)系。
“一帶一路”倡議如今已拓展至150個國家，不再局限于基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)，而是發(fā)展成為一個全方位的可持續(xù)發(fā)展平臺。在亞投行、新開發(fā)銀行和區(qū)域全面經(jīng)濟伙伴關(guān)系協(xié)定（RCEP）等多邊機制的助力下，中國開創(chuàng)的這一合作模式，正在引領(lǐng)發(fā)展中國家重新思考和定義經(jīng)濟伙伴關(guān)系的內(nèi)涵。
這種合作模式已經(jīng)結(jié)出累累碩果。盧旺達總統(tǒng)保羅·卡加梅透露, 近期關(guān)稅減讓后,該國與中國的貿(mào)易額從3000萬美元激增至1.5億美元以上,自2018年以來增長了274%。
這一合作的成效直接惠及盧旺達民眾：農(nóng)民每公斤咖啡豆銷往中國能夠多收入4美元，水電站建設(shè)和馬薩卡醫(yī)院翻新等重大基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施項目也相繼落地。
納米比亞的案例同樣令人矚目。該國總統(tǒng)南戈洛·姆本巴著重指出，中國企業(yè)積極參與道路建設(shè)和礦山開發(fā)等基建項目。兩國的合作建立在平等互利的基礎(chǔ)之上，不僅帶動了納米比亞牛肉、羊肉、干果等農(nóng)產(chǎn)品對華出口快速增長，更開啟了綠色氫能開發(fā)等創(chuàng)新領(lǐng)域的合作探索。
中國正在開創(chuàng)發(fā)展合作的新范式。近二十年來,新興市場和發(fā)展中經(jīng)濟體貢獻了全球八成的經(jīng)濟增長。其中，金磚國家更是領(lǐng)風氣之先，在全球經(jīng)濟版圖中占據(jù)了35%的份額。
金磚國家內(nèi)部的經(jīng)濟影響力日益轉(zhuǎn)化為外交能力,這從中國成功調(diào)解沙特阿拉伯和伊朗之間的關(guān)系,以及在團結(jié)巴勒斯坦爭端政治派系方面發(fā)揮的作用可見一斑。
多哈論壇上，全球南方領(lǐng)導人的積極響應反映出國際秩序正在經(jīng)歷重要轉(zhuǎn)變。其中，巴巴多斯總理米婭·莫特利的觀點尤為值得關(guān)注。她回顧了萬隆會議精神，表達了眾多發(fā)展中國家長期以來的共同訴求：全球秩序的制定不應由西方國家單獨主導。
她主張在構(gòu)建多極世界秩序的進程中，每個國家，不論大小，都應享有平等的發(fā)言權(quán)。這一觀點在與會領(lǐng)導人中引發(fā)廣泛共鳴，尤其是在當前發(fā)展中國家正在探索適合本國國情的發(fā)展道路之際。洪都拉斯外交部長愛德華多·恩里克·雷納提出了一個引人深思的觀察：一些早已從中國合作中獲益的主要大國，如今卻試圖阻礙其他國家發(fā)展與中國的伙伴關(guān)系。
納米比亞總統(tǒng)姆本巴所言：“我們非洲人正在學習如何自主發(fā)展，如何選擇合作伙伴。”這番話展現(xiàn)了非洲國家日益增強的自主意識。結(jié)合盧旺達總統(tǒng)對中國合作模式“不附加額外條件”的贊許，凸顯出國際合作關(guān)系正在經(jīng)歷實質(zhì)性的轉(zhuǎn)變。
多哈論壇以“創(chuàng)新勢在必行”為主題，生動詮釋了中國與全球南方國家在創(chuàng)新領(lǐng)域的合作潛力。與會領(lǐng)導人共同勾勒了未來藍圖：發(fā)展中國家正在實現(xiàn)跨越式發(fā)展，在謀求可持續(xù)發(fā)展的同時快速縮小技術(shù)鴻溝。氣候科技、數(shù)字經(jīng)濟、綠色能源轉(zhuǎn)型等領(lǐng)域已成為南南合作的新引擎。
在非洲大陸已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)了切實成果:中國太陽能技術(shù)幫助非洲家庭獲得更好的電力供應,通過中非合作開發(fā)的數(shù)字支付系統(tǒng)正在促進普惠金融,聯(lián)合論壇正在加速抗旱作物的開發(fā)。
雖然其中一些項目起步較小,但這些舉措正在人們的日常生活中創(chuàng)造變革性改變,為可持續(xù)發(fā)展奠定基礎(chǔ)。
多哈論壇描繪的愿景，為國際發(fā)展開啟了一個新的時代。正如巴巴多斯總理莫特利所指出的那樣，一個更具包容性的世界秩序正在孕育成形。要實現(xiàn)這一愿景，需要全球各大機構(gòu)同心協(xié)力。中國雖然在這一進程中發(fā)揮了引領(lǐng)作用，但最終目標是構(gòu)建一個開放包容、互利共贏的全球發(fā)展生態(tài)體系。
展望未來，世界銀行、亞投行等多邊機構(gòu)必須攜手并進，共同回應全球南方國家的發(fā)展訴求。世界的未來不在于零和博弈，而在于求同存異、和衷共濟。只要凝聚各方力量，就一定能夠開創(chuàng)更加公平正義的全球伙伴關(guān)系新局面。
文章選自南華早報，2024年12月23日
Wang Huiyao: China’s ties with Global South show a different world order is possible
SCMP Op-Ed
With an emphasis on equity and sustainability, Beijing’s cooperation with developing countries goes beyond mere infrastructure projects.
By Wang Huiyao | Founder of
the Center for China and Globalization(CCG)
The Global South’s quest for a more equitable world order gained fresh momentum at the 22nd Doha Forum in early December. During the two-day event, world leaders gathered to discuss China’s evolving role in international development. The high-level dialogue came at a critical time when the global trade landscape faces new uncertainties.
As major economies like the United States and European Union signal a return to protectionist policies – with tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, solar panels and semiconductors and carbon border adjustment mechanisms – China’s recent announcement that it would cut tariffs for more than 40 least-developed countries has drawn significant attention.
This strategic approach was evident at the sub-forum session “China’s Role in the Rising Global South: Redefining the Future World Order” where leaders from around the world shared perspectives on development partnerships, highlighting a stark contrast to the bleak future of international economic engagement.
China’s expanding engagement with the Global South represents more than just trade statistics; it represents an alternative model of international cooperation. While serving as the primary trading partner for at least 120 countries, China has moved beyond mere commercial relationships to establish comprehensive development partnerships.
The Belt and Road Initiative, now encompassing 150 nations, has become a platform for sustainable development beyond simply building infrastructure. Bolstered by institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the New Development Bank and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, China’s approach is reshaping how developing nations think about economic partnerships.
The impact of this cooperation model is already evident. Rwandan President Paul Kagame revealed that his country’s trade with China surged from US$30 million to over US$150 million after recent tariff reductions, with a remarkable 274 per cent growth since 2018.
Rwandan farmers now earn US$4 more for every kilogram of coffee beans sold to China. The partnership has also led to significant infrastructure development, including hydropower stations and the renovation of the Masaka Hospital.
Even more telling was Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba’s observation about Chinese companies undertaking essential infrastructure projects such as building roads and opening mines.
Trade relations between China and Namibia are rooted in equitable cooperation rather than coercion. Namibia has increased its agricultural exports to China, including beef, mutton and dried fruit. Namibia is also exploring innovative partnerships in green hydrogen development. These practical outcomes represent a fundamental shift in how Global South nations view development partnerships.
China is essentially rewriting the traditional rules of development cooperation. Over the past two decades, emerging markets and developing economies have come to account for 80 per cent of global growth. Brics nations have been at the forefront of this endeavour, making up around 35 per cent of global gross domestic product.
The economic influence of countries within Brics has increasingly translated into diplomatic capacity as evidenced by China’s successful mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran and its role in uniting rival political factions in Palestine.
Strong endorsements from Global South leaders at the Doha Forum reflect this evolving dynamic. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, invoking the spirit of the Bandung Conference, has articulated what many developing nations have long felt but rarely expressed: the Western monopoly on defining the global order must end.
Her belief that all nations, regardless of size, should have a voice in shaping the multipolar world order found immediate resonance with other leaders, particularly as developing nations seek to chart development paths that align with their specific needs and circumstances.
Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina’s perspective was particularly revealing. He highlighted how major powers that once benefited from relations with China are now discouraging other nations from pursuing similar partnerships.
As Namibia’s Mbumba succinctly put it, “We Africans are learning how to do things for ourselves and with whom to do them”, from a position of strength. This growing confidence, coupled with the Rwandan president’s note that Chinese partnerships don’t “come with a lot of strings attached”, reflects a fundamental shift in international relationships.
The cooperation between China and Global South countries shows remarkable potential in innovative sectors, as highlighted at the Doha Forum, which was themed around “The Innovative Imperative”. Leaders explored multiple areas of collaboration where developing nations are bridging technology gaps while pursuing sustainable development. Climate-related technology, the digital economy and green energy transitions are becoming new pillars of cooperation.
There are already tangible results across the continent: Chinese solar technology has helped African households gain better access to electricity, digital payment systems developed through Chinese-African cooperation are boosting financial inclusion and joint forums are accelerating the development of drought-resistant crops.
While some of them start small, these initiatives are creating transformative changes in people’s daily lives and laying the groundwork for sustainable development.
The vision emerging from the Doha Forum signals a new chapter in international development. As Barbados’ Mottley expressed, a more inclusive world order is taking shape – one that requires collaborative efforts from multiple global institutions. While China has played a pioneering role, the ultimate goal remains a truly open and cooperative global development ecosystem.
Institutions like the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other multilateral organisations must work together to support the developmental needs of the Global South. The future lies not in competing narratives but in collaborative solutions. By uniting diverse strengths, we can forge more equitable global partnerships.