ON April 28 the meeting of B
RICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations was held in Brazil. The BRICS cooperation mechanism has emerged in the midst of the collective rise of the Global South, fulfilling the international community’s expectations to safeguard world peace, promote common development, and improve global governance.

BRICS is emerging as the backbone of cooperation and engine of growth in the Global South. This reminds me of a great historical event well known to the Chinese — the Bandung Conference.

In April 1955, leaders from 29 Asian and African countries and regions gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, for the first-ever Asian-African Conference. The Bandung spirit of “unity, friendship and cooperation” marked the awakening of the Global South and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle.

Over the past 70 years, from breaking free from colonial constraints to pursuing common development, and then promoting reforms in the international order, the Global South has steadily paved the way for independence, self-reliance and unification.

From the Bandung Conference to the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77, and now to the expanding BRICS cooperation mechanism, the Global South has always been at the forefront. The Global South, accounting for more than 40 per cent of global GDP and contributing up to 80 per cent of global growth, is a key force for maintaining world peace and driving global development and governance.

As a natural member of the Global South, China has consistently supported the vast majority of developing countries and played a constructive role. The world is now undergoing rapid changes and has entered a new period of turbulence. The modernisation of the Global South faces unprecedented opportunities as well as challenges. China remains committed to true multilateralism, continues to promote South-South cooperation, firmly safeguards the common interests of developing countries, and is constantly contributing to improving the global governance system and increasing the representation and voice of the Global South.

China supports the Global South in addressing common challenges

Recently, the US abused tariffs under the pretext of seeking reciprocity and fairness. This has dealt a heavy blow to the global economic order and the multilateral trading system, and seriously undermines the interests and well-being of all countries. The Global South is the first to bear the brunt.

The international community, particularly the countries of the Global South, cannot stand idly by and wink at US hegemony and bullying. China firmly takes legitimate countermeasures to protect its sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as to defend international fairness and justice, which has won wide support within the Global South.

President Xi Jinping has just successfully paid state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, and has issued a strong statement about safeguarding free trade, resisting unilateral bullying, and building a community with a shared future for mankind, which has resonated worldwide.

China unites the Global South to pursue common development goals

Internally, the Chinese economy has responded to the challenge and continues to be a key driver for the global economy. China’s gross domestic product of Q1 2025 grew 5.4 per cent year on year and 1.2 per cent month on month, demonstrating the strong determination and momentum of the Chinese economy, which ranks among the top economies in the world.

Externally, based on its own extensive practical experience, Chinese modernisation has long been a major source of support for the Global South in achieving better development and a smooth transition to a modern economy.

In the face of increasing protectionism, China is committed to being a partner and facilitator, with determination to expand high-level opening up. China’s super-big consumer market has always been open to the Global South. China always welcomes Jamaica and other Caribbean countries for more of their exports of high-quality products to China.

China joins hands with CELAC

Latin America and the Caribbean countries are key assets in the Global South. As the crucial regional integration organisation in the western hemisphere, CELAC is independent, self-reliant, and plays an important role in strengthening dialogue and coordination, maintaining peace and stability, fostering development cooperation, and promoting regional integration. China and CELAC have long cooperated to build global governance, promote cooperative development, and strengthen mutual learning among civilisations.

China will soon host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, during which China and CELAC are going to further discuss development plans. Both sides will jointly lend their voices to promote a new type of international relations, with win-win cooperation as the core and a fairer and more equitable global governance system — further synergising for promoting the bright prospects of peace, security, prosperity and progress in the world.

As the Chinese ambassador to Jamaica I have worked and lived in Jamaica for almost three years. I am delighted to see that the China-Jamaica strategic partnership is deepening, pragmatic cooperation is yielding fruitful results, and people-to-people exchanges are becoming more and more frequent. China and Jamaica have developed a deep friendship based on mutual respect and trust in politics, mutual benefits and win-win results in the economic field, and mutual learning and support in the cultural field.

In a world of change and turmoil China looks forward to working with Jamaica to open a new chapter of international cooperation, to protect the common interests of the Global South, and to contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Caribbean and beyond.

As Chinese people say, “The magnificent and sublime future has just begun, and the best is yet to come.” No matter how the international situation changes, China’s heart will always be with the Global South, and our roots will continue to be deep in the Global South. China will work with all countries of the Global South, including Jamaica and the Caribbean, to become a force for peace, stability and progress in the changes unseen in a century.

Chen Daojiang is China’s ambassador to Jamaica

Chen Daojiang