On June 9, 2025, the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) held a launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Speakers at the event include Chen Bo, president of CIIS; Hallam Henry, ambassador of Barbados to China; Ian J. Marshall, ambassador of Grenada to China; Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta, ambassador of Timor-Leste to China; Hugo José Siles Núñez del Prado, ambassador of Bolivia to China; Remigio Ceballos Ichaso, ambassador of Venezuela to China; Krishna Prasad Oli, ambassador of Nepal to China; Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations resident coordinator in China; Yu Yunquan, vice-president of China International Communications Group and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies; Wu Zhicheng, director of the Institute of International Strategy at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance); and Wang Lei, vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
Chen noted that the report systematically clarifies the intrinsic connection between the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the modernization of countries around the world. It outlines practical pathways to advance global modernization through the GDI, aiming to facilitate an in-depth understanding and broad participation in the initiative. Hence, the GDI can play a more significant role in fostering a global modernization process characterized by peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and shared prosperity.
Siddharth Chatterjee said that the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is facing many challenges. He said that China’s GDI serves as a crucial instrument for fostering global prosperity, and that China’s concrete actions have injected strong momentum into advancing the 2030 Agenda.
He added that the United Nations is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly promote modernization and sustainable development, working together to build a more prosperous world.
Hallam Henry noted that the world is undergoing profound environmental, technological, social, and economic transformations, making it both timely and essential to place development at the heart of the international agenda. He said the GDI, with its focus on areas such as development financing, food security, and climate change, closely aligns with the development priorities of Caribbean countries, including Barbados.
He added that Barbados is committed to working with China and other partners to advance the GDI and pursue modernization toward a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable future.
Ian J. Marshall said that in recent years, to mitigate the impact of extreme climate, Grenada has stepped up efforts to develop renewable energy, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and foster the blue economy. He noted that the GDI is highly consistent with Grenada’s development priorities and contributes to strengthening the country's economic resilience.
Grenada is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with China, he said, expressing his hope that all parties will take more actions to promote international development cooperation and open a new chapter in global development.
Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta observed that at a time when unilateralism and protectionism are gaining traction, China has played a vital role in upholding a fair and equitable international order.
He said that China has achieved remarkable success in its modernization drive over the past 40 years, which is attributable to a development path that is tailored to its national conditions. China’s successful efforts offer important insights for other countries pursuing their own modernization paths, he added.
Hugo José Siles Núñez del Prado said that the GDI provides an important platform for cooperation among Global South countries, effectively facilitating political mutual trust, cultural exchanges, governance dialogue, and the sharing of development practices.
Bolivia, he noted, is keen to expand substantive cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure, new energy, and technology transfer. He emphasized that Bolivia firmly opposes all forms of unilateralism and protectionism and is willing to work with China in upholding the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as a fundamental norm of international relations.
Remigio Ceballos Ichaso noted that the people-centered development philosophy of the GDI aligns with the universal aspirations of the international community for prosperity, peace, and security.
He stressed that Venezuela unequivocally rejects interventionism and unlawful unilateral sanctions, and remains a strong advocate of multilateralism and Global South solidarity.
He added that Venezuela is ready to work with China and other partners to promote connectivity and cooperation on an equal footing, and to chart a modernization path that accords with the national conditions and serves the people.
Krishna Prasad Oli pointed out that the GDI provides a crucial platform for tackling multiple global challenges and accelerating the progress toward the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, thereby advancing inclusive and sustainable modernization worldwide.
Nepal actively supports and participates in the GDI and looks forward to expanding cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and disaster prevention and mitigation, he said, in order to accelerate Nepal's own development and achieve higher-quality modernization and shared prosperity.
Chinese scholars, including Yu Yunquan, Wu Zhicheng, and Wang Lei, noted that the GDI responds to the common challenges confronting global development. It embodies the fundamental purpose of development, conforms to the overarching historical trend, and keeps pace with the tide of the times.
They added that the initiative has built an international consensus on modernization and opened up new horizons for global development. Also, they emphasized that the remarkable achievements of Chinese modernization offer valuable experiences for other countries as they explore their own paths to modernization.
The release event was attended by over 80 participants, including ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives from 14 countries and international organizations, alongside Chinese scholars and experts, and journalists from over 20 Chinese and foreign media outlets. The research report was well received and drew positive appraisals from the participants.
Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations resident coordinator in China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Hallam Henry, ambassador of Barbados to China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Ian J. Marshall, ambassador of Grenada to China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta, ambassador of Timor-Leste to China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Hugo José Siles Núñez del Prado, ambassador of Bolivia to China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Remigio Ceballos Ichaso, ambassador of Venezuela to China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Krishna Prasad Oli, ambassador of Nepal to China, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Yu Yunquan, vice-president of China International Communications Group and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Wu Zhicheng, director of the Institute of International Strategy at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
Wang Lei, vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivers a speech at the launch event for the research report titled "Promoting Modernization Across Countries Through the Global Development Initiative".
