Beijing-proposed initiatives seen as essential in addressing urgent needs

The Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, both proposed by President Xi Jinping, carry significance for human progress, according to Moin ul Haque, Pakistan's ambassador to China.

A staunch advocate of common development, security and prosperity, China has put forward the GDI and the GSI, which are essential in addressing the urgent needs and difficulties of a divided and unstable world. Pakistan has supported both initiatives.

The GDI is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which are about poverty reduction and socioeconomic development, Haque said.

Haque said that the GDI, proposed by President Xi back in September 2021 in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, "has been a very important initiative after the BRI", or the Belt and Road Initiative, "which has been about the development of infrastructure and connectivity".

When Pakistan's prime minister visited Beijing in November last year, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding, with Pakistan becoming one of the first partner countries under the GDI, according to the diplomat.

"So, under this MoU, we will be cooperating in the areas of education, health, agriculture, and of course, climate change, which has become a very important subject not only for Pakistan but also for the entire world community," Haque said.

Citing the recent floods in Pakistan, the envoy said climate change under the GDI framework will become a very important topic of cooperation between China and Pakistan. The Pakistan flooding "is a clarion call for everybody", he continued.

The GDI has won international recognition as a blueprint for more inclusive development globally. To date, more than 100 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, have committed support to the GDI, and close to 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI.

The group, officially launched at the UN headquarters in New York in January 2022, aims to support UN's work in development.

Green efforts

"We need to promote green development through biodiversity protection, speed up the green transition of development modes and lifestyle, and leverage the Global Development Initiative to deliver greater benefits to people of all countries," said President Xi Jinping in December when addressing, via video link, the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the second part of COP15, or the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Montreal, Canada.

Separately, over 70 countries to date have endorsed and expressed support for the GSI. Proposed by China last April at the Boao Forum for Asia 2022, it calls on the international community to uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable global security.

Haque said Pakistan has fully supported the GSI because Pakistan and China are important members of the international community. He added: "Both are very responsible members of the United Nations, and the GSI is aligned with the purposes and principles of the UN."

The diplomat pointed out that security remains an important issue for both China and Pakistan. Pakistan has suffered over the years due to an adverse security environment around it. It has been in the eye of the storm, he said.

Not only physical security about borders, but security for people, food security, energy security, these are all important aspects of security for both countries, Haque said. "So, in this respect we feel very proud that Pakistan and China have similar visions and similar positions on global peace and security."

China stands ready to work with the international community to put into action the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative and promote the shared values of humanity, according to the Government Work Report adopted by the first session of the 14th National People's Congress which concluded on March 13.

"We will remain firm in pursuing a strategy of opening up for the mutual benefit. We will continue working to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and uphold the international order," the report said.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com