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China’s annual Two Sessions provide a window into the country’s policy direction, governance model, and long-term vision. As the world anticipates this year’s agendas, discussions are already heating up on key issues: China’s economic trajectory, its governance system, and its leadership in global green development. While China prepares to outline its future course, Western narratives continue to distort the reality – claiming that China’s economy is faltering, dismissing its governance model as rigid and undemocratic, and even accusing its green transition of “overcapacity.” But what is the truth? How does China’s approach compare to the West’s, and what does it mean for the Global South?
Tune in to this special episode of Global South Voices as host Mushahid Hussain Sayed, co-chair of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, explores these pressing issues with experts from around the world. This edition also features a special address by K. P. Sharma Oli, prime minister of Nepal, sharing his insights on these crucial topics.
Guests in this edition of Global South Voices are Fred M’memb, president of the Socialist Party Zambia; Jose Ricardo, professor at the University of Sao Paulo; Arnaud Bertrand, entrepreneur & sinologist and Mohammed Saqib, convener of the Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South (COGGS).
China’s Role in the Global South: Insights from CGTN’s Global South Voices
In the special edition of CGTN’s program Global South Voices, host Mushahid Hussain Sayed engaged with global experts to examine China’s role in the Global South. The discussion encompassed China’s economic influence, governance models, and green development, offering an in-depth analysis of its evolving position in global economic governance. This episode, a special feature on the 2025 Two Sessions, also included a keynote address by Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who shared his perspectives on fostering cooperation and sustainable growth among Global South nations.
China’s Economic Model and Global Influence
Mohammed Saqib, convener of the Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South (COGGS), outlined China’s shift from high-speed growth to high-quality development. He highlighted key aspects of this transformation, including technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing, financial reforms, increased social security spending, and the rise of domestic consumption. These elements, he noted, are central to China’s economic strategy, reinforcing its global leadership in various sectors.
French entrepreneur and sinologist Arnaud Bertrand challenged the Western media’s persistent “China collapse” narrative. He pointed to protectionist measures, such as U.S. export controls on semiconductors and 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as evidence of growing concerns over China’s technological ascendancy. Bertrand underscored China’s shift from manufacturing for foreign brands to developing its own, achieving remarkable success in electric vehicles and artificial intelligence—moves that have unsettled Western competitors.
Jose Ricardo, a professor at the University of São Paulo, highlighted the strengthening economic ties between China and Latin America. He cited the 2024 trade volume between China and Brazil, which reached $157.9 billion, positioning China as the primary trade partner for several Latin American nations. Ricardo also emphasized China’s role in reshaping the international economic order through BRICS, supporting a more balanced global governance framework that benefits Global South nations.
Governance Models: China vs. the West
Saqib contrasted Western electoral democracy with China’s “whole-process people’s democracy,” arguing that Western democratic systems often fall prey to capitalist influence, whereas China’s governance model prioritizes long-term planning and collective decision-making. He criticized the Western tendency to frame China as a threat, suggesting that such narratives serve to obscure governance shortcomings in the West.
Bertrand expanded on this point, arguing that China’s political system fosters meritocratic governance, where leaders gain experience by progressing through local and national ranks. In contrast, he observed, Western democracies are increasingly prone to electing populist leaders who often struggle with policy consistency and long-term planning.
Ricardo further elaborated on China’s governance philosophy, stressing that China has never sought to export its model. Instead, he noted, its system—developed since 1949 and refined through a series of five-year plans—prioritizes people-centered policies grounded in non-aggression, non-interference, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. He contrasted this approach with the often fragmented and elitist nature of Western democracies, which he argued tend to focus on short-term electoral gains rather than sustained national development.
Global Climate Governance and China’s Green Development
China’s leadership in global climate governance was another focal point of discussion. Saqib criticized the West’s double standards on climate policies, noting that the Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Agreement while promoting fossil fuel expansion, whereas China has consistently advanced its green energy transition.
Bertrand addressed the Western critique of “China’s green overcapacity,” arguing that rather than producing an excess, China is actually meeting a critical global demand for green energy. He asserted that Western trade barriers against Chinese green technology are more about protecting domestic industries than addressing genuine economic concerns.
Ricardo highlighted Brazil’s collaboration with China in green development, noting that Chinese automakers such as BYD and Great Wall Motors have established production facilities in Brazil. This partnership, he emphasized, is accelerating Brazil’s shift toward renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Fred M’membe, president of the Socialist Party of Zambia, criticized Western nations for pressuring African countries to reduce carbon emissions while failing to provide adequate green energy solutions. He pointed out that much of Africa’s green energy infrastructure is supported by China, contrasting Western rhetoric on sustainability with China’s tangible contributions to Africa’s energy transition.
Nepal’s PM: Partnering with China for Global South Cooperation and Growth
In his keynote address, Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), praising China’s efforts to enhance connectivity and shared prosperity among Global South nations. He reflected on his discussions with Chinese leaders, acknowledging China’s leadership in addressing climate change and promoting global equity.
Oli underscored Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, highlighting the impact of glacial melt and extreme weather events in the Himalayas. He commended China’s green development initiatives, describing them as a beacon of hope for nations grappling with environmental challenges.
