The development dividend: Why China's GDI is a human rights game-changer

Editor's note: Xin Ge is an associate professor at the School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The architecture of global cooperation, carefully constructed over decades, is showing signs of serious strain. At a time of deepening geopolitical fractures and the resurgence of protectionist instincts, the international community faces a crisis of governance. Trust is fraying, and shared ambitions for a better future are giving way to the harsh realities of economic rivalry. Against this turbulent backdrop, China's Global Development Initiative (GDI), offers more than just another plan – it presents a vital reaffirmation of multilateralism, grounded in a people-centered vision for progress. By anchoring its approach in the tangible pursuit of development, the GDI is delivering a significant "development dividend" that makes a profound and practical contribution to the global human rights cause.

The GDI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 21, 2021 during the general debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It asserts that the most fundamental human right is the right to a dignified and prosperous life. This perspective does not reject civil and political liberties; it correctly frames economic and social security as their essential prerequisite. The GDI argues, compellingly, that the rights that every citizen enjoys cannot be realized in a vacuum. How can a citizen meaningly exercise their right to political participation when their family faces hunger? How can freedom of expression flourish when a lack of education and opportunity silences entire communities?

The World Bank confirms that China's own development has lifted nearly 800 million people from poverty over four decades, accounting for almost 75 percent of the world's reduction in extreme poverty during that time. The GDI seeks to share this development-first logic, focusing on eight key areas – including poverty alleviation, food security, and public health – that enable all other rights to be realized.

This "people-centered" philosophy directly supports the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a fact that has drawn broad international support. Over 100 countries and international organizations have backed the initiative, with more than 80 nations joining the "Group of Friends of the GDI" at the UN.

Notably, this coalition is turning words into action. More than 200 cooperation projects are already underway, backed by a $4 billion Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. These are not abstract programs; they are concrete initiatives like the establishment of agricultural technology demonstration centers across Africa and Asia. These centers promote technologies like Juncao – using chopped grass to grow mushrooms – which provides a low-cost, high-yield food source for rural communities, directly enhancing food security and farmer incomes.

This vision is also supported by solid financial backing that empowers nations to break the cycle of poverty. China has pioneered innovative financing solutions, with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) driving over $1 trillion in engagement since 2013. Complementing this, institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have become major forces in development finance. Now with 109 members, the AIIB had approved nearly $50 billion for 253 projects by late 2023. These projects are not just concrete and steel; they are catalysts for human dignity. A new power grid allows children to study after dark and clinics to refrigerate lifesaving vaccines. A new port connects rural farmers to international markets, ensuring their produce earns a fair price instead of spoiling. This is how infrastructure investment translates directly into improved health, education and economic opportunity.

Furthermore, the GDI champions the multilateralism essential to address today's interconnected challenges. It rejects a zero-sum mentality in favor of shared growth and collective action. This involves more than just funding but the vital work of sharing development experiences. Rather than prescribing a single economic model, China shares expertise on policies that have proven successful in its own context, from creating special economic zones (SEZs) to building a world-class digital economy. This peer-to-peer exchange allows developing nations to learn from practical examples and adapt strategies to their unique circumstances. By fostering this collaborative spirit, especially in areas like digital transformation, the GDI helps bridge the technological divide and ensures the benefits of progress are not confined to a handful of wealthy nations.

In a word, China's GDI offers a powerful, pragmatic model for advancing human rights in the 21st century. By putting people's well-being first and dedicating substantial resources to that goal, it addresses the root causes of instability and inequality. The focus on the right to development creates the fertile ground upon which all other rights can flourish. For nations striving for progress, the GDI provides a tangible pathway toward building more resilient, prosperous and just societies, making a significant and lasting contribution to the universal human rights cause.

(Cover: A Chinese expert introduces desert plants to people from Central Asian countries at a desert research station in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2023. /Xinhua)