The opening ceremony of the International Symposium on Development and Governance in the Global South, themed “Focusing on Development and Governance, Joining Hands for Reform and Innovation”, was held in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, on October 29.

The symposium is co-hosted by the Secretariat of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance and the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee and organized by Liaoning University (LNU). Over 100 scholars from universities, think tanks, and research institutions in 19 Global South countries — including China, Russia, India, Indonesia, Belarus, and Pakistan — attended the event. They held in-depth exchanges and discussions on the new circumstances and challenges facing global development and governance, providing a favorable platform for dialogue and cooperation among Global South think tanks and contributing to the building of a Global South community with a shared future.

LNU Party Secretary Qiu Huanguang and President Yu Miaojie Meet with Foreign Delegation to the Symposium

This symposium is a new think tank exchange platform established within the framework of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance and centered on the theme of “Development and Governance in the Global South”. It aims to focus on the multiple shocks currently facing global development and governance, deepen research on reform and improvement of the global governance system through think tank dialogue and joint research, and build a regular network for think tank cooperation, thereby further promoting exchanges of governing experience and people-to-people cooperation among developing countries, and helping address common challenges in the modernization process.

As Liaoning Province’s first involvement in hosting an event under the framework of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance, it is not only a strong move in service of the country’s overall diplomacy but also a demonstration of Liaoning’s enthusiasm for engaging in Global South development dialogue, building a bridge for countries to share academic achievements and advance joint action.

Su Zuhui, Deputy Director of the Research Office of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said in his remarks that think tank scholars are generators of ideas, policy advisors, and facilitators of exchange. Against the backdrop of profound changes unseen in a century and in advancing Global South development and governance, they shoulder an irreplaceable mission. They should leverage their expertise in research and investigation, their strengths in policy advice, and their role in galvanizing collective efforts. In particular, they should build an autonomous knowledge system and consolidate the theoretical foundations of Global South governance; conduct joint research to help make practical cooperation deeper and more substantive; build bridges for exchange and dialogue to forge consensus and synergy among Global South countries; and promote mutual learning and sharing of experience to strengthen the capacity for development and governance.

Luo Li, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee, said in her remarks that Liaoning, as an important window for China’s opening-up to the east and north, has the foundation, conditions, and responsibility to deeply integrate into South-South cooperation, serve as a key hub connecting China and the world, and build a bridge of communication, mutual understanding, and friendship among Global South countries. Liaoning looks forward to working with all parties to forge a stronger consensus and jointly shape a new landscape of Global South discourse; to further leverage complementary advantages and jointly open up new space for mutually beneficial cooperation; and to further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and forge new bridges that bring the hearts of our peoples closer together.

Yu Miaojie, President of LNU, stated that LNU’s hosting of the International Symposium on Development and Governance in the Global South not only has earned the full trust of the co-hosts — the Secretariat of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance and the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee — and demonstrated LNU’s concrete actions in advancing discipline development under the Double First-Class Initiative and in serving the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China. LNU will make every effort to provide the logistical support for the symposium and to build this important platform for exchange and cooperation among Global South think tanks.

During the symposium, participating experts and scholars held in-depth discussions on new circumstances in global development and governance; new pathways for Global South solidarity and cooperation; the reform and reshaping of modern governance systems; industrial, economic, and trade cooperation; and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Liu Wenge, Dean of the School of International Economics and International Relations at LNU, and Cui Zheng, Executive Deputy Director of the China Open Economy Research Institute, delivered speeches and participated in discussions at the plenary session.

On October 28, the international guests also visited Shenyang. They toured Chang’an Community, Dadong Non-staple Food Market, Shenyang Imperial Palace, and the training base of Liaoning Air Transport Association, and also visited LNU. Through these visits, they gained a first-hand understanding of Liaoning’s grassroots governance, public service delivery, preservation and inheritance of historical culture, training in aviation vocational skills, and development of university think tanks.

Participants noted that the symposium provided an important platform for scholars from Global South countries to exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and recognition. They said they would bring back their observations and insights in Liaoning and, from an objective perspective, present to the world a real, vibrant, open, and enterprising Liaoning, as well as the vivid practices of development and governance taking root at the local level in China.

Translated by: Zeng Xi

Edited by: Mark Moore

Proofread by: Mu Xiaolin

Reviewed by: Jin Jinghua