On November 28, Guo Wei, Head of the Office of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Palestine published a signed article “Chinese initiatives Focusing on Developing Countries” in the official Palestinian newspaper Al-Hayat al-Jadida, introducing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks on Chinese initiatives and propositions to help developing countries overcome the hardships at the 15th G20 Leaders’ Summit. The full text is as follows:
At present, human society is experiencing the most serious global pandemic in a century. The world economy is in the most serious recession since the Great Depression in the 1930s. The developing countries are facing severe challenges, and 88 million to 115 million people would fall into extreme poverty due to COVID-19. As the largest developing country in the world, China firmly safeguards the rights and interests of developing countries, supports developing countries in fighting the pandemic and restoring their economies, and strives to help developing countries enhance their own development capabilities. From November 21 to 22, Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, attended the 15th G20 Leaders’ Summit and made important remarks , put forward specific Chinese initiatives and propositions for the G20 to help developing countries overcome the hardships.
First, upholding multilateralism and protect the development rights, interests and space of developing countries. All parties should strengthen the UN-centered international system, firmly support the UN’s authority and standing, follow the purposes and principles of UN Charter, and uphold the international order underpinned by international law; improve the governance architecture for economic globalization, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and promote free trade, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, uphold fair competition; continue the reform of the international financial system, and raise the representation and voice of developing countries.
Second, fighting the COVID-19 and stabilizing the economy to support the developing countries to overcome the hardships. We need to support the WHO in mobilizing and consolidating resources and distributing vaccines fairly and efficiently; China will honor its commitment of giving assistance and support to other developing countries, and work to make vaccines a global public good accessible and affordable to people around the world; China has proposed a global mechanism on the mutual recognition of health certificates based on nucleic acid test results in the form of internationally accepted QR codes, and establishing “fast tracks” to facilitate the orderly flow of personnel; China has fully implemented the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) and put off debt repayment totaling over US$1.3 billion. China supports the decision on DSSI extension and will increase the level of debt suspension and relief for countries facing particular difficulties.
Third, promoting sustainable development to help developing countries achieve development. We need to strengthen development cooperation and narrow the North-South gap in implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We need to not only implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), but also provide necessary financing support to developing countries to boost infrastructure construction and connectivity; lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, advance poverty reduction and economic growth through trade, and help developing countries better integrate into the global market; Underscore the role of digital technology in poverty alleviation, and create more opportunities for middle and small-sized enterprises, women, youth and other vulnerable groups to move from poverty to prosperity.
China and Palestine are both developing countries. Upholding multilateralism, fairness and justice is the common aspiration shared by the people of the two countries. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the people of the two countries have stood together amid difficulties, which reflects the traditional friendship between China and Palestine. China will work with other G20 members to help and support the developing countries including Palestine to overcome the pandemic and hardships, and contribute to inject the new vitality into the post-pandemic world.