CIDCA vice-chairman addresses 2026 graduation ceremony of Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development

The 2026 graduation ceremony of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) at Peking University was held on June 28 on the campus.

Zhao Fengtao, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, Chu Xiaobo, vice-president of Peking University, Huang Yiping, dean of the ISSCAD, and a graduate representative delivered speeches at the event. Zhao also awarded graduation certificates to the graduates.

Zhao noted that since the decision to establish the ISSCAD was announced in 2015, the global landscape has undergone profound changes, with the Global South countries rising collectively. Stressing China's responsibility as a major country, he highlighted that through its distinctive modernization drive, China has helped other countries explore development paths tailored to their own conditions.

With consistent and sustainable investment in international development cooperation, China has extended a helpful hand to its partners around the world, addressing their shortcomings in infrastructure, agriculture and public well-being, Zhao added.

Zhao emphasized that China has built platforms for governance exchanges by conducting regular, multi-faceted capacity building training programs, offering support in policies, people's well-being and human resources development through international development cooperation. Zhao noted that over 500 officials from more than 80 countries have earned their master's and doctoral degrees at the institute, advancing exchanges and mutual learning of governance experiences among various countries.

Zhao came up with four expectations for the graduates. He expected them to pursue development paths in compliance with conditions in their homelands, boost the common prosperity of Global South countries, forge friendships in the international community and facilitate the building of a more just and equitable system of global governance.