The Global Development Initiative has charted the course for advancing global development and international development cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, calling for taking the opportunity of implementing the initiative to further deepen global cooperation.

He made the remarks when delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Sustainable Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday via video link. 

The initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, highlights steering global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth in face of the severe shocks of COVID-19.

Joint efforts to fight COVID-19, revive economy

Wang pointed out that as the initiative proposed, the global society should join hands in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and promote economic recovery.

"We should do our utmost to prevent the cross-border spread of the virus, pursue scientific tracing of its origins, and oppose its politicization and stigmatization," he said, stressing ensuring vaccine research, production and equitable distribution.

Efforts are needed in adhering to innovation-driven development strategy and deepening cooperation in digital technology to help developing countries achieve industrialization and modernization in a better and faster manner, he said.

Green, low-carbon path to address climate changes

Noting the importance of seizing opportunities presented by technological development and economic transformation, Wang called for pursuing green development, and accelerating the optimization and upgrading of the economic, energy and industrial structures.

The international community should uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, fully implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, strengthen global climate and environmental governance, and build a global ecological civilization, he said.

Fairness, justice and true multilateralism

Wang Yi also highlighted the importance of respecting the path and system independently chosen by each country, and opposing bullying practices imposed on others and gross interference in other countries' internal affairs.

The world needs to provide developing countries with more resources for development, enhance their capacity for independent development and bridge the "development gap", he said.

All countries should follow the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and uphold true multilateralism, he added.

China will take practical moves for global development

Noting that China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad as announced by President Xi at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wang stressed that China has always taken development as its top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country, and attaches great importance to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As the largest developing country, China has always helped other developing countries and actively promoted South-South Cooperation, providing development assistance to more than 160 developing countries, according to Wang.

Talking about China's contributions to the global fight against COIVD-19 pandemic, Wang said that China has provided more than 1.25 billion doses of vaccines to the world, and will provide 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world throughout this year.

In addition to donating $100 million to COVAX, China will donate 100 million additional doses of vaccines to other developing countries this year.

"China is ready to continue to work with all parties to implement the initiative and make positive contributions to accelerating the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda and bringing benefits to the peoples of all countries," he said.