Editor's Note: Chen Jing, a special commentator for CGTN, is a lecturer at the Foreign Languages School at Hefei Normal University. She holds a PhD degree in international relations from the Macau University of Science and Technology. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

When the Lupar Cross-Sea Bridge in Malaysia's Sarawak State opened to traffic in July, it marked a significant change for communities that had long depended on ferry services to cross the Lupar, Malaysia's longest river. The bridge, built by a Chinese company, reduced the crossing time to around five minutes, compared with the earlier 30 to 45 minutes, which included waiting for the ferry. For local residents, this is not simply a transportation upgrade, but a daily improvement that has made work, education and economic activities more accessible.

The time a bridge saves in people's daily lives may seem modest compared with the scale of a landmark infrastructure project. Yet it embodies international cooperation moving beyond impressive scale and creating benefits that people can truly experience.

China puts growing emphasis on "small yet beautiful" projects that focus on practical needs, respond to local conditions and bring development closer to ordinary people's lives. Like the meticulous brushwork in Chinese paintings, they add details and human warmth to the broader picture of development cooperation.

Over the past decades, major infrastructure undertakings have played an important role in supporting economic growth and connectivity across many developing regions. Roads, bridges, ports and urban facilities have provided essential foundations for development by expanding opportunities and strengthening links between communities. However, development is ultimately measured not only by what is built, but also by how people's lives are improved.

This approach echoes the artistic philosophy of Chinese painting. The "xieyi" style, often translated as freehand brushwork, captures the broader vision and spirit of a landscape. The "gongbi" style, known for its meticulous details, brings precision and refinement to every element. Together, they represent two complementary approaches: creating a broad vision while ensuring that every detail contributes to meaningful outcomes.

China's international cooperation reflects a similar balance. Major projects provide the foundation for long-term development, while people-centered initiatives address specific challenges faced by communities.

The "small yet beautiful" projects demonstrate the importance of responding to local needs. Development challenges differ from one country to another, and effective cooperation requires solutions that match local priorities.

The South Saad Al-Abdullah New City project in Kuwait illustrates how major infrastructure can create long-term social value. Built with Chinese participation, the project is designed as a modern residential city for over 150,000 people, helping ease housing pressure in Kuwait's capital area.

A city is more than a collection of buildings. It provides the foundation for families to build their futures and communities to grow. Through integrated planning and modern facilities, the project aims to create a better living environment while supporting Kuwait's urban development goals.

This represents the "bold strokes" of development cooperation: creating the broader framework that enables future growth. At the same time, smaller projects can address more immediate challenges that affect people's daily routines.

The Lupar Cross-Sea Bridge is a vivid example. By replacing long-standing reliance on ferry services with a permanent road connection, the bridge has improved mobility for local communities. Its significance lies not only in reducing travel time, but also in creating more reliable connections between people, markets and opportunities.

"Small yet beautiful" projects also show that development is not only about physical infrastructure, but also about improving access to essential services.

The China-supported Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages project demonstrates how cooperation can address another form of connectivity: the digital divide. The project has brought satellite television access to thousands of villages in Africa, helping communities gain access to information, education and cultural resources.

For many rural communities, access to information is just as important as access to roads and bridges. By bringing digital services closer to villages, such projects demonstrate that development cooperation can take many forms. A stronger connection to the outside world can create new opportunities for learning, communication and social development.

Finally, the value of these projects lies in their ability to create lasting capabilities. A successful cooperation project should not only deliver a finished structure or service, but also strengthen local capacity. During the construction of infrastructure projects, local workers gain experience in engineering and building practices to enhance technical capabilities.

This aspect is particularly important because sustainable development depends not only on physical assets, but also on people's ability to maintain, manage and build upon them. Knowledge sharing, skills development and local participation allow the benefits of cooperation to continue beyond the completion of a single project.

The rise of "small yet beautiful" projects does not mean replacing major infrastructure cooperation. Instead, it represents a more comprehensive understanding of development. Large projects build the foundation for growth, while smaller initiatives ensure that development reaches communities and individuals.

A new residential city that provides families with better living conditions, a bridge that connects communities previously separated by geography, and a digital project that brings information resources to rural areas all demonstrate how international cooperation can translate into tangible improvements.

In a world facing complex challenges and uneven development, successful cooperation requires both a long-term vision and the ability to address specific needs on the ground. The "fine brushwork" of development lies in understanding local realities and ensuring that cooperation creates benefits where they matter most.

From bold strokes to fine brushwork, China's initiatives illustrate how development cooperation can combine broad vision with attention to everyday needs. Behind every project are people whose lives are being improved: communities becoming more connected, families gaining greater security and individuals finding new opportunities.

Ultimately, the measure of cooperation is not only what is built, but how it makes development more inclusive, accessible and meaningful for people on the ground.

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