CIDCA holds Q4 2025 press conference (full text)

Xinhua News Agency: The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded on Oct 23 and issued a communique. The session deliberated over and adopted the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for Economic and Social Development. Could you brief us on the specific tasks assigned to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) in this five-year plan, and how the CIDCA intends to accomplish them?

Li Ming: The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing from Oct 20 to 23. The Recommendations you mentioned outline a top-level design and make strategic arrangements for China's development over the next five years and beyond.

China's development cannot be separated from the world, and the world also needs China for development. President Xi Jinping has put forward the vital concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, which has progressed from a guiding idea to a well-developed theoretical framework, from a vision of common aspiration to concrete and wide-ranging practice, and from a proposal put forward by China to an increasingly broad international consensus. 

Advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity bears on the future of all nations, stands as a core objective of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and is an essential requirement of Chinese modernization. The Chinese modernization drive itself is a significant contribution to human progress.

The world is now undergoing a new phase of turbulence and transformation, marked by the resurgence of unilateralism and protectionism, weakening drivers of global economic growth, and unprecedented challenges to international development. The Recommendations make important strategic arrangements for building a community with a shared future for humanity, fully showcasing the foresight of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and China's responsibilities as a major country.

It was proposed at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee that "We should support the Global South in building strength through unity, step up aid to other countries, and provide the world with more public goods." These measures aligning with China's attributes and development direction are crucial for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

As a natural member of the Global South, China shares emotional bonds and mutual benefits with other Global South countries, thereby fostering deep, solid friendship. With a focus on the universal needs of these countries, China has advanced reforms in the global governance system and steadfastly protected their development interests.

On this new journey of development, China is ready to allocate more resources to international development cooperation, diminish the gap between the Global North and South, and firmly support and help developing countries in their development efforts. China is willing to strengthen development cooperation with relevant parties, jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. By doing so, China will ensure its modernization drive better benefits peoples worldwide and contribute more to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

CCTV: In July, Premier Li Qiang announced at the 17th BRICS Summit that China will pioneer the "Digital South" brand under the GDI framework. In September, Premier Li Qiang announced at the High-Level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative that over the next five years, China will establish a funding program dedicated to digital capacity-building within the Global Development Capital Pool to support the "Digital South" initiative under the GDI. Could you elaborate on the "Digital South" initiative?

Li Ming: The global digital advances are reshaping international economic and social structures. As significant developments take place in Global South countries, they are experiencing a new round of digital innovation and application. However, the inadequate and unbalanced development between the Global North and South has widened the digital divide, hindering the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

With a focus on the long-term goals and practical needs of global common development, President Xi Jinping proposed the GDI in September 2021, stressing the need to pursue innovation-driven development, speed up the transformation of scientific and technological advances into productive forces, and create an open, equitable, just and non-discriminatory environment that is conducive to scientific and technological advancement. The GDI has also prioritized cooperation in areas such as digital economy and connectivity in the digital era.

Under the GDI framework, the "Digital South" initiative upholds principles of inclusiveness and equality, a development-oriented approach, innovation-driven growth, and solidarity and cooperation. With capacity-building as a priority, the initiative aims to systematically enhance partner countries' digital talent pool, technological research and development capabilities and digital governance capacity. Through consultation with partner countries, China will identify key areas and directions for cooperation, and enhance support for their digital infrastructure. China will also use digital technologies to empower sectors such as pharmaceutical R&D, agricultural productivity, inclusive education and disaster early warning systems in these countries, helping the Global South to integrate more deeply into the global digital development landscape.

The CIDCA has established a funding program dedicated to digital capacity-building within the Global Development Capital Pool. Over the next five years, this program is poised to host 200 training programs on digital economy and artificial intelligence for the Global South countries.

We invite government agencies, international organizations, financial institutions and other development cooperation partners from home and abroad to actively participate in the "Digital South" initiative. Under the GDI framework, we will jointly design well-conceived digital empowerment projects and build more digital development brands, aiming to bridge the digital gap between the Global North and South and make technological achievements accessible to more developing countries.

Lebanese Al Mayadeen TV: As we approach the end of 2025, could you provide an overview of the accomplishments that the CIDCA has made this year?

Li Ming: The year 2025, which marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), is of vital importance for deepening reforms across the board. Guided by head-of-state diplomacy, the CIDCA has intensified efforts to encourage participation in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and implement the four global initiatives, contributing a lot to building a community with a shared future for humanity. We have seen substantial, effective outcomes in foreign assistance.

First, the CIDCA has rendered considerable foreign assistance under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy. The CIDCA has coordinated efforts across various sectors to implement the foreign assistance measures announced by President Xi Jinping at major international events, including the second China-Central Asia Summit, the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, the grand gathering commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, and the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum.

Second, the CIDCA has played a vital role in advancing Belt and Road cooperation and implementing the four global initiatives. Focusing on the framework of "six corridors and six channels serving multiple countries and ports", the CIDCA has helped complete major engineering projects along backbone corridors and on key nodes.

Additionally, the CIDCA has introduced "small yet smart" projects that are highly effective in improving people's livelihoods in partner countries, strengthening the foundation for people-to-people bonds.

Through the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the CIDCA has fostered international partnerships. The agency has encouraged more than 70 countries, regions and international organizations to join the Global Development Promotion Center Network. More than 80 countries and international institutions have signed agreements with China to strengthen cooperation under the GDI. The Global Development Project Pool has been enlarged.

Third, the CIDCA has actively shared China's experience. The agency has committed to sharing insights on state governance, modernization and advanced technology with developing countries through various foreign assistance projects. This support has enabled these countries to explore paths for sustainable development that is suitable to their national circumstances, enhancing mutual understanding.

Reviewing the outcomes of cooperation in 2025, we are once more convinced that China's foreign assistance and international development cooperation serve as effective tools and platforms for promoting common development among developing countries. These efforts align with President Xi Jinping's noble vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and are guided by the four global initiatives, especially the GDI.

In the time ahead, we will continue to innovate in our cooperation approaches, mobilize resources from all parties, and support the Global South in strengthening solidarity and self-reliance. We will also expand foreign aid efforts to provide more international public goods for the benefit of humanity.

CGTN: The "small yet smart" projects are highly anticipated for their flexibility, low cost and sustainability. Could you share with us the CIDCA's efforts and achievements in this regard in 2025?

Li Ming: Balancing major landmark projects and "small yet smart" projects in foreign assistance and international development cooperation is a key priority for the CIDCA. We have made every effort to implement the measures on "small yet smart" projects announced by President Xi Jinping at the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the China-CELAC Forum, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 and the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, reflecting China's commitment as a responsible global player.

We have consistently aligned our efforts with the development plans of partner countries with a focus on improving livelihoods of local residents. A large number of effective "small yet smart" projects tailored to local conditions have been introduced worldwide to benefit people, strengthen productivity, improve livelihoods, alleviate poverty, advance agricultural modernization, enhance healthcare capability and promote prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Among these projects, some have gained widespread recognition for their quality and impact, such as Juncao, hybrid rice and the Luban Workshop.

Let me share some examples. In the health sector, we have completed the first AI-assisted total hip arthroplasty in Guinea and launched the Mekong Children's Heart Care Project in Cambodia. Regarding agricultural development, we have established the second demonstration village for agricultural cooperation in Zimbabwe, and have provided agricultural technical assistance, including the construction of the China-Africa Bamboo Center, in African countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi. We have also deployed more than 200 agricultural experts to introduce techniques tailored to local productivity needs. Committing to fostering talents, we have initiated training programs like the leadership and humanitarian capacity-building program for youth in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and the new media capacity-building program for women officials, while also upgrading the Luban Workshop.

We have actively communicated the outcomes and heartwarming stories of "small yet smart" projects. In 2025, the CIDCA published three reports on "International Development Cooperation: China's Practice", one of which is dedicated to "small yet smart" projects. The report has detailed how affordable housing along the China-Laos Railway promoted local development, and has introduced China's efforts in drilling 200 wells in Rwanda to ensure a steady supply of clean water for local people and in building Chinese gardens in Jamaica to enrich local people's cultural life. We welcome you all to read and share these reports.

Telesur: On Dec 2, you responded to the inquiry by saying that the Chinese government is committed to providing urgent humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka as it is struck by floods and landslides. China has also pledged similar assistance to Somalia for its unprecedented drought in October, and to Cuba and Jamaica, which were hit by hurricanes in November. Could you share with us the latest progress of these endeavors?

Li Ming: Facing waves of humanitarian crises inflicted on the world, China has remained steadfast in its commitment to internationalism and humanitarianism. We have employed various methods to deliver timely assistance to countries and peoples suffering from these disasters, significantly contributing to alleviating humanitarian crises around the world.

In 2025, China has offered urgent assistance to more than 20 countries that were affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vanuatu and Jamaica. China has provided emergency humanitarian resources to the Gaza Strip in Palestine through multiple channels. These actions have been lauded by recipient countries and the international community. Let me highlight a few examples.

Following the earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, the CIDCA promptly implemented President Xi Jinping's instructions by extending a helping hand to the country. China was the first country to announce aid, dispatch a rescue team, successfully rescue survivors, and establish a settlement center in the affected area. We deployed the largest number of rescue personnel, playing a crucial role in earthquake relief, saving lives, and facilitating post-earthquake resettlement.

In October, Somalia suffered the most severe drought in decades across the country, prompting many regions to declare a state of emergency. At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, China provided urgent humanitarian assistance to mitigate the disaster's impact.

In November, Cuba and Jamaica were hit by hurricanes. China promptly provided humanitarian assistance to both countries and continues to work in this regard. China has also dispatched a team of medical experts to Jamaica, offering medical services in the disaster-hit areas. The team was warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated by the local communities.

In December, in response to unexpected floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, the Chinese government immediately extended a helping hand by rendering urgent humanitarian assistance. All assistance has been delivered to Sri Lanka in early December, effectively helping flood relief and recovery efforts.

We believe that with the collective support of the international community including China, the affected countries and their peoples will overcome these challenges and rebuild their beautiful homelands in due course.