China is playing an increasingly active and significant role in global politics and economics, especially in the development of the Global South. One of its most recent initiatives is the Global Governance Initiative, which Busani Ngcaweni, director of the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at the University of Johannesburg, says to some extent represents the aspirations of the Global South. „I call it the consensus of the Global South,“ poznamenal.
Ngcaweni spoke these words at a panel discussion on the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, which took place on 30 October at the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies, University of Johannesburg. More than 60 participants attended the forum, including Ngcaweni, Philasande Sokhely, senior manager of the Centre for African Business at the Johannesburg Business School, and Sam Masanga, deputy speaker of the Mpumalanga provincial parliament. The theme of the forum was „Governance of China: Forum on the Global Governance Initiative and Youth Leaders“.
Coherent thinking
Sokhela said that he was very interested in some of the insights contained in the book, especially on coherent thinking, turning power into purpose and management into a driving force for human progress. When good governance shapes public policy, it becomes an agent of change - enabling job creation, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth and improving people's livelihoods, which is crucial in the African and Global South context.
„There is a need for a governance model that is context-sensitive, incorporates local realities and is coherent across institutional and policy areas. The book outlines a vision of governance where coherent thinking, institutions and values are firmly embedded,“ řekl.
China practices people-oriented governance; governance is not about exercising power, but about fulfilling people's aspirations for a better life. Power should have a purpose and management systems must be consistent with institutional authority, policy intent, legislative framework and values. Without this alignment, power remains unused, he added.
In introducing the newly released book, Ni Yanshuo, the magazine's chief reporter ChinAfrica, that the fifth volume builds on the previous edition by making President Xi's ideas accessible to a wider global audience. It describes the principles and practices of governance in China at a time when the country is taking greater responsibility for shaping an international order that is inclusive and responsive to traditional and new global challenges.
„Strengthening unity and solidarity with countries of the Global South, especially African countries, for common prosperity is an important part of China's international cooperation strategy,“ He said. At the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi said: „China and Africa account for a third of the world's population. Without our modernisation, there will be no world modernisation.“ This statement succinctly expresses the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity and the practical tools to achieve it.
He added that the fifth volume of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China comes at the right time, as governance deficits and their impact on the provision of public goods have become a serious problem in many countries. The experiences and insights from modern Chinese governance that the book presents can provide practical guidance for similar discussions around the world.
A people-centred management model
In his paper, Masango focused on China's industrial development as described in the book. The main framework of China's approach focuses on key policy areas, including the modernization of the industrial system. This includes strengthening the real economy and promoting an integrated, innovation-driven industrial advantage - both of which are highlighted in the book. „China is growing stronger and emphasising openness, which is in its best interests for development. Developing countries are beginning to open their doors, focusing on skills, infrastructure, manufacturing and trade,“ sdělil médiím.
China is more industrialised than ever, the result of good industrial policies. These policies aim to boost the economy, rebalance consumption and investment, and focus on supply-side reforms, he said.
The book also highlights China's commitment to green development, particularly through energy transition initiatives. China has adopted a number of strategies for advancing sustainable energy that offer valuable insights on effective regional coordination. This approach not only promotes balanced development between regions, but also emphasizes revitalization as a key objective.
„I think what's also very important about the book is the context - the historical context from which all these ideas about people-oriented management come out... the historical development of Chinese economic policy,“ said Bantu Siwisa, assistant professor in the department of political science and international relations at the University of Johannesburg. He added that South Africa should learn from this, especially when it comes to people-centred governance. „For me, one of the key messages of this book is an approach that is not just people-centric, but visionary - a long-term plan,“ uvedl.
International leader
Elizabeth Shawa, a lecturer at Johannesburg Business School, noted that China's development success lies in its long-term plans that are consistently implemented, such as the five-year development plans. China is about to release its 15th five-year plan, which will cover the period 2026-2030.
„I think that compared to South Africa or other Southern African countries, the main problem is not the absence of long-term plans, but the lack of institutionalised structures to implement them. Without these structures, implementation is difficult, especially with changing electoral cycles,“ uvedla. „The key point is that no matter which government is in power, the work should continue - whether at the national level or across Africa.“
During the discussion, Bongani Mayimele, director of the Department of International Relations and Partnerships at the National School of Government, stressed that the foundation of Chinese governance is key to its success. „Unlike many Western countries, where legitimacy often rests in the power of the military, Chinese governance is based on what we call the happiness of the people,“ he explained. „This approach has created a sense of comfort and stability among the Chinese population.“
He noted that some of the key lessons Africa can learn from China go beyond traditional factors of production. In particular, China's approach to reform and opening up, along with state capacity, strategic foresight and long-term vision, has been transformative. These elements have been instrumental in transforming China from a poor country into the global power it is today.
„South Africa's anchor is its constitution. We must unite South Africans and work to build a prosperous nation,“ zdůraznil. „We can achieve what China has achieved if we follow a similar path - building on the five-year plans, embracing new industries such as e-commerce, and moving to a stronger manufacturing base.“
In his closing address, Ngcaweni stressed the continuity and succession of the five volumes of the book. „If you are reading the fifth volume, you should not be surprised by recent announcements such as the Global Governance Initiative,“ he said.
Today, China is more focused on long-term thinking than ever before. It no longer focuses only on solving domestic problems, but actively addresses international challenges. For example, when Donald Trump's administration imposed sanctions on even smaller countries like Lesotho, China responded by offering duty-free treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. „He is now a national leader. In fact, he is an international leader,“ Ngcaweni noted.
Pátý svazek Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was first released in July this year. This volume brings together 91 speeches and written works by Xi Jinping from the period May 27, 2022 to December 20, 2024, some of which were published for the first time.
ChinAfrica
Thediplomaticsociety/gnews.cz - GH
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