China’s economic resilience and commitment to high-level opening-up are creating unprecedented development opportunities for countries in the Global South, a South African governance and political analyst said in an interview with Xinhua.
Over the past four years, more than 86 percent of China’s economic growth has been driven by domestic demand, Sandile Swana noted. He said the heavy reliance on internal drivers has made China’s economy stronger and less vulnerable to external pressures, positioning it as a model for other developing nations.
“Such a high share of growth coming from within the domestic economy shows how strong China’s internal drivers have become,” Swana said. “When a country’s economic momentum is largely self-sustained, it becomes stronger and less vulnerable to external pressure in the broader economic landscape.”
Swana highlighted China’s leadership in technological innovation, particularly in robotics, artificial intelligence, and frontier technologies. He added that the country has become a global leader in green development and new energy vehicles, providing valuable lessons for other developing nations pursuing energy transitions.
On the international front, the analyst praised China’s efforts to promote fair and inclusive trade. “What’s remarkable is that China treats all countries, whether big or small, as equal trading partners and works to end discrimination in global trade,” he said.
Swana also noted China’s broader contributions to global development, including its peaceful development trajectory and the recently proposed Global Governance Initiative, which he believes could foster a fairer and more just international system.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in China’s potential to develop strong rural economies, saying such progress could serve as a model for rural development in other developing countries. “With the technological base already in place, I think China is in a good position to build one of the most impressive rural economies in the world,” Swana said.
He described China’s philosophy of peaceful development as a “fresh way of thinking” and emphasized that the country’s approach demonstrates that a nation can grow strong without seeking hegemony, while contributing to shared development globally.
China’s strategy, according to Swana, represents a new paradigm for development in the 21st century, offering lessons on technology, trade, and sustainability that could benefit nations across the Global South.
China has emerged over the past two decades as a global economic powerhouse, transitioning from a primarily export-driven model to one increasingly fueled by domestic consumption. Its rapid industrialization, technological innovation, and large-scale infrastructure development have underpinned sustained growth, helping lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
In addition to economic expansion, China has positioned itself as a leader in green development, particularly in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and low-carbon technologies. The country has invested heavily in research and development, achieving global competitiveness in robotics, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies.
China’s engagement with the Global South has grown significantly through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), trade partnerships, and development assistance programs. These efforts aim to enhance infrastructure, facilitate trade, and promote inclusive economic growth in partner countries.
Analysts highlight that China’s model of “peaceful development” emphasizes cooperation, equitable trade, and capacity-building, contrasting with traditional hegemonic approaches. Through such strategies, China seeks to influence global governance while providing development opportunities for lower- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The country’s recent proposals, including the Global Governance Initiative, signal its intention to contribute to a more balanced international system, offering lessons on industrial policy, rural development, and sustainable economic growth that can inform policy decisions in the Global South.
