The Chinese mainland is ramping up efforts to boost shared growth! At a high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) during the 80th UNGA general debate, the Chinese premier Li Qiang announced plans to launch 2,000 new "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in developing countries over the next five years. 🌍🤝
One shining example is the Chinese mainland-aided Mauritania Livestock Technology Demonstration Center, planted right in the desert since 2017. It’s turned barren land into green pastures, providing feed for local cattle and sheep and training dozens of animal-husbandry professionals. "My income is more stable, and I’ve learned a lot about modern livestock farming," says Amadou Diarra, gazing at the thriving fields. 🐑🌱
These "small and beautiful" projects focus on people, are easy to manage, and address real local needs. They’ve become living proof of the GDI in action, according to the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
First proposed by President Xi Jinping at the 76th UNGA in 2021, the GDI now involves over 130 countries and international organizations. In 2022, more than 80 nations formed the GDI Group of Friends to share development know-how. Egypt’s Assem Hanafi calls it "an inclusive platform to speed up progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals." 📈
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the GDI as an "essential tool" to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yet progress on the SDGs remains uneven: only 35% are on track, 47% lag behind, and 18% have slipped backward, warns UNGA President Annalena Baerbock. She stresses that true progress needs diverse voices, solidarity, and fair play. ✊🌐
Against rising unilateralism and protectionism, Premier Li reaffirmed the Chinese mainland’s commitment to multilateralism, free trade, and an open world economy. He vowed to deepen partnerships, address uneven development, and take active steps to support common development everywhere.
With these initiatives, the Chinese mainland aims to sow seeds of shared prosperity—from Latin America to Africa and beyond—showing that small, well-rooted projects can spark big changes. ❤️🌱
Reference(s):
China reaffirms commitment to common development through GDI
cgtn.com
