China urges greater voice for Global South in global governance

China believes the rise of the Global South as a collective force is unstoppable and that the long-standing historical injustice in global governance should be corrected, Vice-Foreign Minister Miao Deyu said on Wednesday.

Miao made the remarks at a news conference held by China's State Council Information Office for the release of a white paper titled "More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China's Principles, Proposals and Actions".

When asked how China views the imbalance between the Global North and the Global South in the global governance system, Miao noted that the era in which a few countries monopolized international affairs is gone.

He called for stronger efforts to listen to the voices of the Global South, expand its presence in international affairs, and safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries.

Miao urged support for the Global South in pursuing unity and self-strengthening, saying that important cooperation platforms such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Group of 77, and China should be better developed and utilized.

Emerging financial institutions — including the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — should also be strengthened to aid the Global South in advancing world peace and development, he added.

China believes priority should be given to increasing the weight of developing countries in international affairs, Miao said. Reform of the United Nations Security Council should move in the direction of increasing the representation and voice of developing countries, he emphasized.

He also called for accelerating the World Bank's shareholding review and achieving meaningful quota realignment at the International Monetary Fund at an early date.

More headquarters of UN agencies and international organizations should be located in developing countries, and more outstanding professionals from developing countries should be selected to lead international organizations, Miao added.

China also supports advancing North-South dialogue and strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination, he said. Developed countries should earnestly fulfill their historical responsibilities and due obligations in narrowing the development gap and addressing global challenges such as climate change, while helping foster an open and inclusive international environment.

As a natural member of the Global South, China has always cared about and remained rooted in the Global South, Miao said. China will continue to work closely with developing countries and move forward together in advancing reform of the global governance system, he added.