CIDCA vice-chairman attends commencement of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development

The 2019 commencement of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development was held at Peking University in Beijing on June 29.

The first batch of PhD candidates and the third batch of master's candidates of the institute graduated this year. Zhang Maoyu, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), delivered a speech and presented certificates to the graduates. 

Zhang congratulated the graduates on their successful completion of their studies. He said that South-South cooperation is a great undertaking in which developing countries can unite and strengthen themselves and meet challenges together. Cooperation and win-win is an inevitable choice for developing countries.

As the largest developing country in the world, China has long provided assistance to the vast number of developing countries within the framework of South-South cooperation. China is willing to work together with them and jointly embark on a new path of development and prosperity, said Zhang.

Zhang encouraged the students to apply what they have learned to exploring the development path that suits their own national conditions and become messengers of friendly cooperation with China, and practitioners and promoters of South-South cooperation.

Justin Yifu Lin, dean of the institute, said that he hoped the graduates will not forget their purpose and original aspiration to study in the institute. China’s economic development proves that developing countries can eliminate poverty through their own efforts. The students should learn from each other's development experience and help their countries to achieve rapid and stable development.

A valedictorian from Ethiopia expressed his gratitude to Chinese leaders for providing opportunities for developing countries to share experiences and learn from each other. They have witnessed the great achievements China has made since its reform and opening-up. Under the principle of mutual benefit, solidarity and equality, the institute provides a valuable platform for developing countries to learn from each other and establish closer ties.

In September 2015, China announced it would establish the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development at the 70th anniversary event of the founding of the United Nations.

In April 2016, the institute was established in Peking University. Since its establishment, the institute has recruited three batches of master's and doctoral students from more than 50 countries, who number 150.