What’s driving the Global South’s buzz about China? 🌏 At the International Forum of the Overseas Studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which opened on November 12 in Beijing, British expert Keith Bennett shed light on this trend.
As vice chair of Britain’s 48 Group Club and co-editor of Friends of Socialist China, Bennett told CGTN that the real magnet is simple: China’s development model works. He explained that many countries in the Global South are eager to learn from China’s proven success story, not by copying every detail, but by adapting core ideas to fit their own cultures, economies and people’s needs.
“They’re not looking for a one-size-fits-all package,” Bennett said. “Instead, they study what’s been tried and tested in the Chinese mainland and then tailor those lessons to local realities—be it infrastructure, technology or social policies.” 🚀
His take highlights a shift from traditional aid-driven approaches to a partnership model: one where knowledge is shared and transformation is homegrown. For young entrepreneurs and policymakers in Asia, Africa and Latin America, this means seeing China’s path as an inspiration, not a blueprint.
With global challenges on the rise, Bennett believes that story-driven, success-based cooperation could offer fresh solutions. And for those of us curious about the future of development, it’s proof that bold ideas can travel—and evolve—across borders.
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British expert on why China's model appeals to the Global South
cgtn.com
