The rise of the "Global South" and the new picture of international game —— on China's strategic response

Abstract: "Global South" is becoming the protagonist of global concern, this paper analyzes the meaning of "global South", explores the rise of "global South" and its strategic effects, pointing out that "global South" has a strong economic strength and world influence, its political position can not be ignored. The rise of the "Global South" makes the game of great powers present a new situation: The "Global South" participates in the global game with the attitude of independence, non-alignment and non-taking sides; The United States and the West actively compete for the right to speak and cooperate in the "global South", with strong anti-Russian and anti-Chinese ideology; Russia, for its part, is clinging to the "global South" and pushing for a realignment of its strategic focus. In view of this, China should re-examine the relationship between China and the "Global South", clearly declare that China belongs to the "global South" and is an important reliance on the "Global South", actively respond to the malicious smear and unreasonable division of the United States and the West, deepen the understanding of the "global South", and think about the path of deepening cooperation with the "Global South" from a strategic perspective. Take the "Global South" as the strategic pillar of China's diplomacy to carry out top-level design and strategic management.

During the Cold War, developing countries were an independent and important strategic force in the world politics and economy, and their international status and influence kept rising, and the "third world" became an important intermediate force in the game of great powers. For some time after the end of the Cold War, it was common for major powers to dominate international affairs. Although the rapid rise of developing countries such as China, India and Brazil was remarkable, the collective activities of developing countries were silent for a while. However, with the deepening of the century-old changes, the collective voice of developing countries has quite a sense of enlightenment. The concept of "Global South" has emerged, and its strategic value has been highly concerned by the major powers in the world, profoundly affecting the layout and trend of the strategic game among major powers, and the competition for its right of discourse, dominance and cooperation has immediately emerged. In a word, the "Global South" is regarded as an important driving force for the global strategic game and the reshaping of the global pattern, and has become an important symbol of the deepening evolution of the century-old changes.

Since the end of the Cold War, and especially since the beginning of the new era, developing countries have accumulated economic power and accelerated the shift of the world economic center to the south. This has created an important economic potential that has influenced the world landscape and created the most encouraging progress in global development. The political influence of the "Global South" has been demonstrated in the response to the Ukraine crisis, and its political awakening has become an important manifestation of promoting the evolution of the world pattern. Entering 2023, the "Global South" has quickly become an important topic at the "Voices of the Global South" online summit hosted by India in January, the 59th Munich Security Conference in February, and the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May. At the same time, the major powers are keenly aware of the implications of the rise of the "global South" and are committed to rapidly developing responses. In short, the "global South", long regarded as a secondary factor in international affairs, is becoming the protagonist of international attention, and its influence is increasingly important.

The deepening evolution of the century-old changes has a profound impact on China's external environment and strategic layout, and the optimization of China's diplomatic strategy is inevitable. As the "Global South" has become the core element of the great power game, how to deeply understand the rise of the "Global South" and its effects, and how to objectively evaluate the rise of the "global South" and the new situation of the great power game are major strategic issues that we must think deeply about at present.

1.The meaning of the "Global South"

The "Global South" is derived from the concepts of developing countries and the "Third World." American political activist Carl Oglesby first used the terms "Global South" and "Global North" in 1969. During the Cold War, with the popularity of the concepts of "West" and "East", the concepts of "the South" and "the North", which explored the relationship between developing countries and developed countries, gradually became popular, and the "South countries" replaced the "Third World" with clear political aspirations, specifically referring to the underdeveloped countries. In 1991, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Challenge of the South: Report of the South Commission, which emphasized the need for the countries of the South to work together at the global level, and the concept of the "Global South" emerged. In 2004, the United Nations Development Programme released the report "Building the Global South", which clearly listed China as a country of the South. With the increasing global influence of developing countries and emerging economies, the concept of the "global South" has become more popular. In 2013, the Human Development Report released by the United Nations Development Programme, with the theme of "The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Pluralistic World", analyzed the global impact of the collective rise of countries in the South and believed that the rise of countries in the South will accelerate. In response to the Ukraine crisis in 2022, the countries of the South have simultaneously distanced themselves from the United States and the West and become an independent political force in peacefully resolving the Ukraine crisis, and the concept of the "global South" has emerged as a world focus.

So far, the "global South" has remained a vague concept. Generally speaking, developing countries, the "Third World" and the "global South" refer to countries and regions with less developed levels of economic and social development, or other countries and regions other than high-income countries and countries with high levels of human development, as opposed to developed countries and the North, including mainly Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands and developing countries in Asia. The Financial Centre for South-South Cooperation defines the Global South as "the Group of 77 and China". The growing popularity of the concept of the "global South" after the cold War is directly related to the increasing focus on the development of the countries of the South and South-South cooperation from a holistic perspective, as well as to the coordination of positions and the pursuit of common interests of these countries in international affairs. At the same time, the "global South" has a richer international political meaning, which goes beyond geographical boundaries and the less developed countries of the "third world", and more refers to the weak countries in the world system dominated by the United States and the West. Further, the concept of the "Global South" is derived from the distinction between the "South" and "North", emphasizing the attribute of the development level of its economic and social underdevelopment, and is a collection of emerging market countries and developing countries. On the other hand, the political and international political attributes of this concept deserve more attention. Some southern countries are geographically located in the north, but their political and social systems are different from those of Western countries. Due to the influence of geopolitical and globalization factors, the international political status, industrial chain and value chain of southern countries are disadvantaged or unfair. In view of this, the "Global South" has its own clear development aspirations and international status aspirations, which can be regarded as an important concept in contrast to the "West" and "Global North".

Developing countries have a strong desire and strategic initiatives to seek strength through unity, as exemplified by the "Third World" and the "Global South", and the recent expansion of the BRICS countries is a symbol of further solidarity and cooperation in the "global South". According to the purchasing power evaluation, the GDP of the BRICS countries dominated by the "global South" has exceeded that of the Group of Seven countries in the "global North". The political and economic strength of the "global South" cannot be underestimated. It is no longer a symbol of underdeveloped development, but a synonym for broad prospects. In view of the development history of the "Global South", it has the political gene of opposing hegemonism and power politics, actively seeking reform of the global governance system, and strongly calling for increasing the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries in global affairs. It is China's natural ally on the global stage. Of course, the "Global South" has many members, diverse cultural values, varying levels of development, and different interests. It has not established an integrated international organization, nor an action program to unite common interests. It is not a new political bloc or group of countries.

2.The rise of the "Global South"

After the Second World War, the national independence movement in Asia, Africa and Latin America was surging, propelling developing countries onto the world stage. The Bandung Conference of 1955 marked the emergence and rise of the Third World on the global political stage and was seen as the launch of the countries of the South on the world stage, which for the first time conveyed the message of united politics to the international community. In the late 1950s and 1960s, the Western colonial system collapsed, the national democratic movement in Asia, Africa and Latin America and the South Pacific region flourished, the Non-Aligned Movement emerged and grew stronger. The founding of the Group of 77 in 1964 marked the emergence of developing countries as an important force influencing the world. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Third World made great achievements in promoting the formal North-South dialogue and the construction of a new international economic order. However, in the 1980s, the debt crisis of the third world, the rise of neoliberalism and the promotion of the Washington Consensus, the international development agenda adhered to by developing countries was neglected, the role of UNCTAD as the coordinating body for North-South dialogue was declining, and the glory of South-South cooperation was gradually dimmed. In 1990, the South Commission's "Challenges to the South" report called on economically powerful developing countries to take the lead in promoting and maintaining South-South cooperation. After the end of the Cold War, the rapid rise of major developing countries such as China, India and Brazil kicked off the economic rise of the "global South" and became an important driving force for South-South cooperation and for developing countries not to be left out in the cold. In June 2008, the summit of the Group of 77 and China adopted the Development Program for the Countries of the South, calling for strengthening South-South cooperation, reforming the international economic system and enhancing the voice of developing countries in the international financial system on the basis of developing North-South cooperation. In 2009, the BRICS Organization came into being, and major developing countries such as Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa began to shoulder more of the historic mission of promoting South-South cooperation and restarting the South-South development agenda. In 2009, the G20 Summit became the core stage for the leaders of the world's major economies to discuss the world's pressing global issues. The world's major emerging economies have become indispensable protagonists, and the status and role of major developing countries such as China and India are particularly prominent. In 2013, the United Nations established the UN Office of South-South Cooperation to advance the sustainable development agenda for developing countries. In the new era, China has become the main driving force for South-South cooperation. With the proposal and upholding of a new type of international relations, a correct approach to justice and shared interests, the concept of sincerity, affinity and good faith, the proposal and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the establishment and development of cooperation forums between China and Africa, Latin America and the South Pacific region, China's new theory of international cooperation is ready to emerge. China has also become the core force driving the "Global South" to shine on the world stage.

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, the rise of the "Global South" can be described as dazzling. With the rise of China and India to the ranks of global powers, the international development cooperation agenda they actively promote has also begun to show global influence, especially in hosting the G20 summit to show the willingness and strength to lead the direction of global economic development. In 2016, China hosted the G20 Hangzhou Summit, inviting more participants than any other developing country in history. In 2022-2024, the three "Global South" countries, Indonesia, India and Brazil, will successively assume the rotating presidency of the G20, ushering in a highlight moment for the "Global South" on the world economic stage. On September 9, 2023, the G20 New Delhi Summit invited the African Union to become a full member, which is seen as a new footnote to the accelerated rise of the "global South". On the other hand, the unity of the "Global South" has further enhanced its global influence. In August 2023, the BRICS Summit was successfully held in South Africa. More than 20 countries submitted formal applications for membership, and Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia were invited to become full members of the BRICS family. The BRICS cooperation mechanism has become a political and economic platform that the Global South relies on to promote unity and self-improvement, safeguard multilateralism, safeguard international fairness and justice, and improve global governance.

Given its economic strength and global economic clout, the influence of the "Global South" 's political positions has become impossible to ignore. In particular, after the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, the "global South" not only did not fully shift to the West, but also openly expressed an independent political position. They uphold the political stance of non-alignment, make it clear that they do not want to isolate Russia together with the West, do not support the United States and Western sanctions against Russia, Many southern countries abstained or even did not vote on the resolution of the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly condemning Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine and "creating a humanitarian crisis", condemning Russia's "annexation of four southeastern provinces of Ukraine" and demanding that Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine, expressing their different views on the Western isolation of Russia in the international multilateral mechanism. Most Asian countries (with the exception of Japan, South Korea, and Singapore) and countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America (with the exception of the Bahamas) have not chosen to sanction Russia, and US NATO ally Turkey and non-NATO Allies such as Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand have not participated in the Western sanctions against Russia. In February 2023, at the G20 Finance Ministers and central Bank Governors meeting held in Bangalore, India, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asked G20 members to condemn Russia's military actions and support US sanctions against Russia, but Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa and other southern countries believe that sanctions against Russia are endangering the world; Host India has made it clear that the G20 meeting is about economic issues, not politics. It is quite meaningful that the trade volume of many southern countries such as India, Brazil, Turkey and Russia has risen sharply, and the attempts of the United States and the West to consume Russia through war and economic sanctions are unlikely to be achieved. In January 2023, Lula was re-elected as president of Brazil, and proposed the establishment of a national group with neutral countries such as Brazil, China and India as mediators to coordinate and promote the peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The expression of the political stance of the southern countries has brought great shock to the United States and the West, prompting Western countries to pay more attention to the opinions of the Southern countries and make necessary policy adjustments, which has become a new factor affecting the adjustment of relations between major countries.

These developments demonstrate the momentum of the rise of the "global South" as developing countries return to centre stage after more than three decades of ups and downs. Up to now, emerging markets and developing countries account for nearly 40% of global GDP and 80% of world economic growth, becoming the main driving force of global economic growth. Countries in the South are no longer synonymous with poverty and backwardness. In particular, major developing countries such as China, India, Brazil and Indonesia are playing an active and constructive role on the world stage and are committed to playing a leading role. With the support of core platforms such as the BRICS Summit, the United Nations Financial Center for South-South Cooperation and the Group of 77, their position in global platforms such as the G20 Summit is becoming more prominent. Regional international organizations such as ASEAN, the African Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and CELAC are playing an important role on the global stage, and the international platforms they rely on are becoming more diversified and stable. The countries of the South are committed to advancing international development cooperation. While promoting South-South cooperation, they are actively sharing development experience, advanced technology and professional knowledge among major developing countries, and vigorously promoting global development governance. They have begun to play an increasingly important role in international development assistance, demonstrating the initiative and creativity of the countries of the South.

On the other hand, most countries in the South have yet to achieve their economic catch-up goals, and the challenges of economic growth, political stability, and even national security are enormous and arduous. The "Global South" covers a vast area with many countries and regions, including large and powerful countries such as China, India and Brazil, as well as 46 of the world's least developed countries. Countries are at different levels of development and face different problems in development and security, with prominent cultural diversity and diversification, and lack of solid position coordination mechanisms and strong supporting institutions. Achieving solidarity, coordination and cooperation is not easy. The countries of the South as a whole remain politically weak, vulnerable to conflicts and divisions, and unable to avoid mutual disputes. The rise of the "global South" takes place in the era of deep globalization. It is formed in the political and economic relations that are closely connected and embedded with developed countries, and there is an asymmetric dependence relationship with major developed countries. The vulnerability of its development cannot be ignored.

3.the "Global South" is emerging from a new game of great powers

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, the "Global South" is not only an independent political and economic force, but also regarded as a participant in the geopolitical game, a core force for international political reform and global governance reshaping, with a strong willingness to participate in the global game and a prominent role.

First of all, the "global South" participates in the global game with an independent attitude, non-alignment and does not take sides, becoming an important participant in the great power game, China, India and other southern powers are especially parties to the great power game. "The countries of the South are committed to advancing international development cooperation to achieve the core objectives of rapid development and narrowing the North-South gap; At the same time, actively expressing interests and concerns, opposing and not participating in group-style confrontation, reflects the political pursuit of "strategic autonomy". The "Global South" embodies a distinct political stance of non-Western, non-northern, opposing hegemonism and power politics. They do not agree with the world political and economic order dominated by the United States and the West. They seek to attach equal importance to national security and economic and social development, and are committed to maintaining the autonomy of development path choice. On the international political stage, the vast majority of southern countries refuse or avoid taking sides in the strategic game between China and the United States. They do not support, participate in, or blindly follow the extreme actions of the United States and the West, such as comprehensive sanctions against Russia. They are not willing to get involved in the vortex of the great power game and profit from it. It is more active in showing independent posture, playing an independent role, and showing more initiative in geopolitical competition. The Global South's pursuit of strategic autonomy is reflected in its balanced and moderate position on the Ukraine issue, believing that the Ukraine crisis is a European problem rather than a world problem. Southern countries such as China, Brazil, South Africa and Saudi Arabia have either proposed peace plans that are different from the West's position, or have traveled back and forth between Russia and Ukraine to promote peace talks. Become an important force to balance and balance the game of great powers. At the same time, the "Global South" is deeply aware that the solidarity, collaboration and position coordination of the countries of the South are the basis for its positive role and attention, so the innovative development of South-South cooperation is the key and the driving force of its role, and the expansion of the BRICS summit is quite an impressive and inspiring example. In view of this, actively promoting global development governance and the transformation of the world order has become the common interests of the new era of the "Global South", and it has also enabled the countries of the South to play an active and leading role in the global game, with China, India and other major countries of the South especially playing a key role.

Second, the internal game of the "global South" has begun to emerge, and the struggle for dominance has begun, and the strategic consideration of India and other countries excluding China deserves close attention. China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries are playing a leading role in the "global South", but their strategic considerations and strategic posture are different, and the unity of the "global South" is facing a test in the future. Given the core platform status of the BRICS international summit in the "Global South" and the leading role of China, India and Brazil in the BRICS summit, how to effectively coordinate the positions, interests and strategic orientation of these countries is crucial. Now, as India seeks to establish itself as a leader of the "global South," it is beginning to position itself as a "West-South Power," one that is deeply intertwined with the West in its strategic goals and values, while deeply rooted in the global South, intended to act as a bridge between the global South and the global North, betting on and benefiting from both sides. In January 2023, India hosted the "Voice of the Global South" online summit, which is an important step for India to shape its image as a spokesperson for the interests of southern countries and compete for the dominance of the "Global South". Refusing to invite China to attend the meeting is an important measure for India to exclude China from the southern countries, and actively cooperate with the United States and the West to demonstrate the intention of China's strategic positioning. In September 2023, India hosted the G20 New Delhi Summit, invited its South Asian neighbors and many developing countries to participate, promoted the African Union to become a full member of the G20, and further demonstrated the influence of the "Global South" and India's influence on the "Global South". Lula was re-elected president of Brazil in January 2023, and he said he would revive MerCOsur as a way to lead cooperation in the "global South." The Western media began to rank India alongside Brazil as the leading countries of the "global South". Indonesia's hosting of the G20 Jakarta Summit in 2022 has actively demonstrated the role of an independent third party, whose role in the "global South" is highly anticipated by many countries. Facing the future, the relationship between the major southern powers is of great concern to the world, and the "dragon and elephant dispute" between China and India is regarded as a beacon.

Third, the United States and Western countries compete for the right to speak and cooperate in the "global South", and have a strong anti-Russian and anti-Chinese ideology. The Stimson Center in the United States released a special report in December 2022, pointing out that the divide between the West and the "global South" is widening, and if the West does not try to understand the interests, needs and requirements of these countries, and does not stop seeking to impose Western values on them, it risks losing the latter altogether. Deeply aware of the rise of the "Global South," Western countries in the United States have tried to unite with countries in the "Global South" to safeguard the so-called "rules-based international order," committed to uniting countries in the South against Russia, and jointly cope with the so-called "China challenge." First, the United States and the West should recognize the rise of the "global South" and put more emphasis on the countries of the South. Recognizing the danger of the South losing trust and confidence in the West, they called for greater involvement in the affairs of the "global South" to win the trust of the South. In February 2023, the Munich Security Conference set up a special discussion on North-South cooperation, and its security report devoted a large amount of space to the topic of "global South", in which the term "global South" appeared 55 times. The G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023 invited leaders of Southern countries such as India, Brazil, Indonesia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, the Union of the Comoros, the rotating chair of the African Union, and Vietnam to participate as dialogue partners, and included strengthening relations with countries of the "Global South" as the main agenda of the summit. Second, by launching a series of infrastructure investment and economic development initiatives, Western countries in the United States have increased development assistance to countries in the South, taking countries in the South as an alternative to de-sinicization of industrial chains and supply chains, and deepening economic, trade and technological cooperation with countries in the South as a new option to compete with China. The United States and the West try to replace China's position in the global industrial chain by using the resources and markets of the "global South" and promote their "de-risk" strategy towards China. Third, the United States and the West actively compete for the right to speak on the "Global South", trying to shape the "global South" into a group that does not include China, so as to create antagonism between China and the vast number of developing countries, and promote great power competition and geopolitical confrontation. The United States and the West are trying to turn the "Global South" into a strategic tool to contain China, advocating the "China debt trap" theory, denying China's status as a developing country and China's belonging to the "global South", supporting India as the leader of the "global South", provoking conflicts between China and the "global South", and weakening China's influence in developing countries. Among Western countries, the United States and Japan pay particular attention to the "global South." The United States, while enhancing its relations with the "Global South", is committed to building the "Global South" into an important direction for promoting strategic competition with China, distinguishing between China and the "Global South", preventing China from dominating the "global South" and discouraging China's efforts to strengthen itself through unity with other Southern countries. The 2023 edition of Japan's Diplomatic Blue Book and White Paper on Trade emphasize that the international community is at a historic turning point and must pay attention to the "global South." At the same time, the Japanese government is committed to acting as a bridge between Europe and the United States and the "global South", aiming to achieve its goal of political power through cooperation with the "global South".

Finally, Russia is clinging to the "global South" and pushing for a realignment of its strategic priorities. The performance of the "Global South" in the Ukraine crisis has given Russia an opportunity and hope. Russia has positioned itself as the leader of the "global South against neo-colonialism" and is committed to competing for the right to speak and initiative in international public opinion. In view of the fact that the southern countries have not only become an important gap for Russia to break the Western containment system, but also denied the legitimacy of the West to continue to fire in the Ukrainian battlefield, and provided the necessary conditions for Russia's standoff with the West in the Ukrainian battlefield to a considerable extent, Russia is committed to winning the understanding and support of the "global South" and expanding trade with the southern countries. It reflects the strategic consideration of "southernization" of economic and trade cooperation. With the stalemate of the Ukraine crisis, the "Global South" will continue to be the object of fierce competition between Russia and the United States and the West, and also become the object of competition between the two sides to expand economic and trade cooperation and deepen strategic coordination.

4.The rise of the "Global South" and China's diplomatic and strategic response

China is a member of the "Global South", which is China's natural ally. With the rise of the "Global South", it is necessary to re-examine the relationship between China and the "global South". We must make it clear that China belongs to the "Global South" and that China and other countries in the South have a shared future and a shared future. China is an important pillar of the "Global South" and is willing to actively play the role of a constructive partner, concept leader, wisdom contributor and solution provider in the development of the "Global South" and promote extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

How to view and handle China's relations with other developing countries has always been a fundamental strategic issue of concern to Chinese leaders and the top priority of China's diplomatic strategy. The Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC stressed that China should uphold the principles of sincerity, affinity, good faith and the right approach to justice and interests to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries and safeguard their common interests. China is ready to increase resource input for global development cooperation, work to narrow the North-South gap, and firmly support and help other developing countries speed up development. China is committed to increasing the influence of BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other cooperation mechanisms, and increasing the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries in global affairs. On July 25, 2023, when attending the 13th Meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Affairs in Johannesburg, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, pointed out that the "Global South" is a collection of emerging markets and developing countries, and China is an ex paro member of the "Global South" and will always be a member of the "big family" of developing countries. He pointed out that independence is the political background of the "Global South", development and revitalization is the historical mission of the "Global South", and fairness and justice are the common propositions of the "Global South". He stressed that China is willing to work with other emerging markets and developing countries to promote the implementation of the global development initiative, the global security initiative and the global civilization Initiative, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. He also put forward a four-point proposal on strengthening cooperation in the "Global South" : to eliminate conflicts, build peace, reinvigorate vitality and jointly promote development, be open and inclusive, seek common progress, unite and discuss and cooperate. On August 22, 2023, at the closing ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum 2023, President Xi Jinping pointed out that as a developing country and a member of the "Global South", we always share the same breath and destiny with other developing countries, firmly safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote the increase of the representation and voice of emerging markets and developing countries in global affairs.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, China and other developing countries have shared a common destiny, forged a profound revolutionary friendship, established institutionalized channels of cooperation, and provided a solid foundation for the rise of the Global South. Since entering the new era, China has put forward the strategic mission of building a community with a shared future for mankind and a new type of international relations. It has followed the principles of sincerity, affinity and good faith and the right approach to justice and shared interests. It has put forward global development initiatives, global security initiatives and global civilization initiatives and worked with the rest of the international community to implement them. Through the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank and other strategic initiatives, actively demonstrate its global leadership. We are entering an era in which developing countries and later-emerging countries are flourishing, and countries that were abused, bullied and despised in the past are reinvigorating. The Global South is an important symbol of The Times. This is the era when Oriental thought is highly valued, and the "Global Orient" represents the era of Oriental comprehensive revival is coming. This is an era in which China has been fully focused. China is a developing country, an Eastern country, a latecomer and a resurgent country, representing an important direction of historical change. In view of this, the report of the Party's 20th National Congress clearly stated that "we firmly stand on the right side of history and stand on the side of human civilization and progress, hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win, and seek our own development while resolutely safeguarding world peace and development, and better safeguard world peace and development through our own development." The above propositions and initiatives of China have been highly endorsed and actively echoed by countries in the South, and China's position as a leader in South-South cooperation has been respected and supported by countries in the South. While actively providing development assistance, China has set up a platform for exchanging international development knowledge and experience, established a global development knowledge network, and carried out exchanges of governance experience, thus expanding the influence and attraction of China-style modernization in the "Global South" and laying a solid foundation for deepening cooperation between China and the "Global South".

At the same time, the rise of the "global South" also provides a new direction for the optimization of China's diplomatic strategy. On the one hand, we actively respond to the malicious smear and unreasonable distinction between the US and the West, expose their attempts to separate China from developing countries, firmly stand with the "Global South", and firmly believe that "any US effort to weaken or counter China's influence in the global South is doomed to fail." On the other hand, we have deepened our understanding of the "Global South", thought about ways to deepen cooperation with the "Global South" from a strategic perspective, and carried out top-level design and strategic management of the "Global South" as the strategic pillar of China's diplomacy. To deepen cooperation with the "Global South", in terms of strategic positioning, China clearly defines the position of developing countries in its diplomatic strategy, and takes safeguarding the independence of the global South and preventing southern countries from becoming vassals of capital and minions of the United States and the West under realistic pressure as its starting point. Under the deepening evolution of the century of change, the global South, free from its dependence on the Western capitalist system, will become an important force in reconstructing the international order. China is committed to helping southern countries maintain and realize their economic independence and effectively restrain and get rid of the shackles of monopoly capital. Maintain and realize market independence, maintain a fair international trading system, and help the countries of the South cultivate economic advantages; Maintain and realize security and independence, and guard against military intervention and threat of force by the United States and the West.

Deepen cooperation with the "Global South". At the bilateral level, China focuses on the specific security and development demands of countries in the South, promotes the alignment of bilateral development strategies, and strives to achieve practical development results, so as to set a model for cooperation between China and countries in the South. The aforementioned bilateral and regional cooperation will lay a solid foundation for sound interactions between China and countries in the South. Deepening cooperation with the "Global South" is closely related to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China. China plays a leading and exemplary role in implementing the goals and demands of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and achieving innovation in the mode of South-South cooperation. In the meantime, while the "G77 and China" summit mechanism continues to advance, China can strive to create a new forum mechanism with the theme of "Global South" cooperation, so as to provide a new platform for the continuous rise of "Global South".

To deepen cooperation with the "Global South", at the regional level, actively promote economic cooperation between China and the region through bilateral forums (such as China-Africa Cooperation Forum, China-CELAC Cooperation Forum, China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, etc.) conducted in cooperation between China and regional international organizations, and realize equal dialogue and consultation between China and developing regions. Since the Bandung Conference in 1955, China has always been an active promoter of South-South cooperation, and has explored the mode of South-South cooperation with Chinese characteristics. From a development initiative to a dialogue platform and action mechanism, FOCAC has played an important role in promoting Africa's development and China-Africa friendship and cooperation. Focac firmly supports Africa's independent and endogenous development, provides strong support for Africa's development, and has become a model mechanism and platform for South-South cooperation, thus reinvigorating South-South cooperation and becoming a model for South-South cooperation. Looking ahead, FOCAC's experience summary and its promotion in the "Global South" are of important demonstration significance.

Deepening cooperation with the "Global South". At the global level, with the goal of strengthening the South through unity, China has built consensus of the "Global South" on major global issues such as the reshaping of the world order, the reform of the United Nations, the Ukraine crisis, and climate change negotiations, actively responded to the reasonable demands of Southern countries, and is committed to enhancing their representation and voice in global affairs. We are committed to improving the global development governance architecture. China should further strengthen communication and cooperation with countries in the South, jointly build a global development knowledge network, build a platform for sharing international development knowledge and experience, and promote the building of national independent knowledge systems, so as to provide knowledge and ideas for exploring diversified development paths. At the same time, we should increase resource input for global development cooperation and play an active role in international development assistance.

As the largest aid provider in the "Global South", China does not regard the LDCs as passive players, but as players with inherent development momentum, and actively promotes mutual benefit and win-win results. As the century of change is deepening, China is committed to expanding new highlights in its cooperation with Southern countries through third-party cooperation and other means, actively pushing the international agenda to refocus on development and poverty reduction, urging northern countries to earnestly shoulder their responsibilities, continue to work to narrow the North-South gap, and play a leading role in firmly supporting and helping Southern countries accelerate development. As the world's most successful major developing country and a core member of the "Global South", China is willing to share its valuable experience in Chinese-style modernization and continue to play a leading role in the development of the "Global South", especially in the exploration of a new model of South-South cooperation. Through innovative breakthroughs in theory and practice since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has successfully promoted and expanded Chinese-style modernization, providing important inspiration and reference for countries in the South to independently explore the path of modernization. At the same time, China actively advocates and promotes the system construction of multilateralism and international cooperation, and emphasizes the fundamental role of South-South cooperation. Its strategic choice of cooperation orientation is of great significance and guidance to the international behavior of countries in the South. The further summing up of China's experience and the sharing of it in southern countries will have important strategic value for the sustainable development of the "Global South" and the continuous advancement of South-South cooperation. (Author: Men Honghua, Dean of School of Political science & International Relations, Tongji University)