Under the theme of New Plan, New Development, New Choices: Chinese Modernization and New Vision for Global Governance, the 2025 Understanding China Conference will be held in Guangzhou from November 30 to December.
Approximately 200 delegates from 72 countries, alongside representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, will attend the conference to explore how Chinese modernization offers a fresh perspective for global governance.
"My visits to China, from the first to the most recent, show the incredible progress and modernization the country has achieved," said Sato Kilman, former Prime Minister of Vanuatu, in an interview with South on November 29.
China's success lies in its ability to review and learn from experience
This year marks the 45th anniversary of China's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), a landmark policy pivotal to the nation's reform and opening-up. Shenzhen, a flagship SEZ in Guangdong province, epitomizes this progress. Its economy has grown by over ten-thousand-fold since 1980, soaring from 200 million yuan to surpass 3.68 trillion yuan in 2024, making it a model of Chinese modernization.
"China has proven that it can grow from a small population to a large one. I think China has made remarkable progress in addressing poverty, offering valuable lessons for other developing countries facing similar challenges," said Kilman.
He highlighted that a key factor in China's success is its consistent practice of learning from its development experience. “We must understand what China has created and how to replicate it,” the former PM added.
The China-Pacific partnership lies in a model of concrete actions
The year 2026 will mark the 20th anniversary of the China-Pacific Island States Economic Development and Cooperation Forum. Through this cooperative framework, China has significantly strengthened its ties with Pacific Island countries by expanding trade and investment, providing medical assistance, and supporting infrastructure projects, among other initiatives.
According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, trade between China and Vanuatu reached approximately 210 million USD in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 49.4%. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has also dispatched more than 200 medical professionals to Vanuatu, who have provided approximately 300,000 patient consultations.
"China's approach to engaging with countries worldwide involves a deep understanding of their contexts. For the Global South, there can be no better model than having not only China but also other major economies support smaller developing countries," said the former PM.
He stressed that countries with modern technology should assist less developed countries rather than leave them behind. "I think everyone needs to do their part to ensure that we are all on board the same train," he said.
It is estimated that China has so far carried out more than 100 aid projects, delivered over 200 batches of material supplies, and trained approximately 10,000 professionals in various fields for the Pacific Island countries.
"We are thankful that some larger partner countries have been able to stand with us, amplify our voices, and ensure that they can be heard in the international community," he added.
Reporter: Yuan Zixiang
Photo: Yuan Zixiang
Editors: James Campion, Shen He
