Bringing countries together for shared development — Voices from the Global Development Promotion Center's 2025 training programs

The Global Development Promotion Center organized four training programs in 2025 aimed at helping other countries cultivate professionals. With a focus on the Chinese modernization drive and the Global Development Initiative (GDI), these programs built bridges of friendship, fostering mutual learning, pooling forces for global development and amplifying the voice of the Global South.

More than 120 participants from over 40 countries gained a deeper understanding of China's achievements through classroom study and field visits, while exploring paths to modernization suitable to the conditions of their home countries, thereby contributing a synergy of Global South countries to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

1. Global South countries collaborate for independent development

"As an important strategic partner of other Global South countries, particularly Gambia, China has offered huge support in areas such as infrastructure, energy, healthcare and education, improving the livelihoods of our people," remarked Fatou Kinneh Jobe, permanent secretary Ⅱ of Gambia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Since Mauritania's independence, China has cooperated with us, providing assistance in infrastructure construction, such as ports and airports, which has contributed a lot to our social and economic development. We expect to strengthen collaboration with China in more projects," said Mahfoudh Jiyid, general director of Mauritania's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

"China has grown flowers of hope, development and prosperity all over the world. Chinese modernization is a miracle in human history. As a country where people can realize their dreams, China will remain steadfast and lead global development," said Sabri Saidam, deputy secretary general of Palestinian Fatah Central Committee.

"We learned from the symposiums that the strong bonds between China and many African countries are rooted in China's commitment to the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, which embodies sincere friendship, equity, mutual benefits, win-win cooperation, opening-up and inclusiveness," said Gabriel Pollen, permanent secretary for Zambia's Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

"It's highly praised that China provides huge support to less developed and developing countries. This sets the stage for cooperation in economic growth and sustainable development. Collaboration with promising prospects will be reached under steadfast, determined actions, leading us into a brighter future," said Suzan Mechak Makuei Deng, director of the Economic Cluster at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of South Sudan.

"The Museum of the Communist Party of China is truly impressive. Africa shares a similar journey, so we can relate to it. We learned about China's perseverance through challenging times, its achievements today, and its strides toward a bright future at the museum. All of these exhibitions are meaningful," said Dorah Bettina Lewo Mwaiseghe, senior human resources officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA).

2. GDI calls for global actions

"True friendship is proven in times of adversity, as China takes effective measures to support other Global South countries. We commend the strategies that China proposed at the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, and we're eager to press ahead with the implementation of the GDI and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in partnership with China," said Marcelo Pedro D'Almeida, secretary-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities of Guinea-Bissau.

"The GDI brings hope for developing countries striving to achieve the goals under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are ready to strengthen our cooperation with China, transform the development experience we've learned in the training program into actionable strategies targeted to our own conundrums, and move toward a future where no country is left behind," said Christopher Magezi, deputy director of the Prime Minister's Office of Uganda.

"As a crucial initiative, the GDI shows that China prioritizes development in all its endeavors and partnerships, ensuring no country is left behind. Kenya and other Global South countries steadfastly support this initiative," noted Andrew Aguana Mujivane, director at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.

"We from different countries have fostered a spirit of cooperation and unity while participating in the training program. This reminds us of our shared development goals, despite our different nationalities and backgrounds. The friendships and connections established in China will lay a solid foundation for our future collaboration under the GDI framework," noted Isatou B Jobe, counselor of Gambia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad.

3. China's plan for environmental protection

"You will spontaneously laud the beauty of nature in Anji county (in East China's Zhejiang province). The harmony between development and natural preservation offers a deep understanding of the theory 'lush mountains and lucid waters are invaluable assets'. There's no need to sacrifice one for the other, as the economy can thrive with the environment preserved. What an amazing place," praised Gabriel Pollen.

"As the birthplace of the theory 'lush mountains and lucid waters are invaluable assets', Anji serves as an enlightening case that illustrates how to push forward energy structure transformation and green development. Its urban landscape is also spectacular," said Sofía Rojas Cárdenas, head of Commercial Information Group of ProCuba, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba.

"The theory 'lush mountains and lucid waters are invaluable assets' holds significant meaning, as we have only one chance to protect the environment. Planting a tree today may not yield immediate benefits. However, as a Chinese saying goes 'planting trees for the benefit of posterity', our descendants will reap the reward. Both Africans and Chinese are all seeking long-term development," said Millicent Kgeledi, communication assistant of the AUDA.

4. Local development offers replicable examples

"There are also special economic zones in our country, but I often reflect on the valuable lessons we learned from Shenzhen (in China's Guangdong province). I am impressed by the Chinese government's practice of conducting research and pilots in Shenzhen, and hammering out plans based on the outcomes thereof. It's underscored in the Chinese mode that people should infer the whole from a part and explore a path through trial and error," said Kelebogile Ethel Sekaka, principal economist at the Ministry of Finance of Botswana.

"Our tour to Jinjiang Museum is illuminating. Transforming from a traditional agricultural county into a modern industrial city, it vividly presents a spirit of making innovations in light of local conditions. This success story offers a realistic and valuable example for other developing countries striving to explore development paths suited to their unique national circumstances," said Phouthong Sisavath, acting director general of the Ministry of Technology and Communications of Laos.

"Beijing highlights China's strategic power in sustainable development and international cooperation, while Shenzhen demonstrates a scene of scientific and technological innovation, economic growth and urban modernization," commented Agaba Sophia, principal policy analyst of the office of the Prime Minister of Uganda. "Participating in this program has deepened my understanding of sustainable development and global cooperation. I've learned innovative solutions to address global challenges. These methods can also enable countries to take more sustainable and impactful measures in their future endeavors."

5. China's sci-tech innovation drives development

"China has played a crucial role in narrowing the global digital gap. It built infrastructure such as the fiber optic backbone network in Gambia, and launched personnel training programs. We hope to strengthen cooperation with China in telecom, artificial intelligence and cyberspace security, so as to facilitate Gambia's digital transformation," said Hassan Jallow, permanent secretary of Gambia's Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

"With novel and highly relevant themes, the training programs provided an opportunity for us to understand China's new development philosophy, especially in the field of the digital economy. This fully demonstrates the great potential in the collaboration between China and other developing countries," said Jason Joseph Phillip, director of the Government Information Service of Grenada.

"There's no loading worker in such a big port as Qingdao Port. It's unbelievable. I see this with my own eyes, but I can hardly believe it. It's more fantastic than a sci-fi movie," exclaimed Samuel Melesse Gebre, assistant documentation officer of the Conference Service Department of the AUDA.

"Seawater rice cultivation is a groundbreaking technology. It can survive in harsh conditions. We don't possess such cutting-edge technologies, making this an excellent opportunity for technological exchange with China. Given Cameroon's extensive coastline, we hope that Qingdao can introduce seawater rice cultivation technology to our country and show us how to grow it," said Halilou Soulemanou Mohaman, programme officer of the AUDA.

6. Learn from China and advance to the future

Participants have observed a promising vision for development. In Anji, they witnessed how the concept of balancing environmental protection with economic growth guides local people to solve the development dilemma. In Shenzhen and Jinjiang, they appreciated the wisdom of making steady progress tailored to local features. At automated wharfs and seawater rice experimental plots at Qingdao Port, they dived into innovative technology and its potential to offer shared development opportunities.

They not only gained specific experience and technologies, but also built confidence to independently explore development paths. They expressed a strong desire to enhance cooperation with China to scroll out a beautiful future for sustainable development.