Xu Jian: Global Development Initiative Comes to Fruition in Sudan
written by Mr. Xu Jian, Charge d’affaires of Chinese Embassy in Sudan.
In 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the innovative Global Development Initiative (GDI). In the ensuing five years, the initiative has garnered widespread recognition from the international community, winning the applause and support of over 100 countries including Sudan, as well as the United Nations (U.N.) and other international organizations. More than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. Evolved from China’s proposal to an international consensus, and from a cooperation concept to joint action, the GDI has made substantial progress, serving as a strong driving force to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bridge development gaps and build a better world.
Sudan is a country that boasts significant geographical advantages, abundant resources, and immense potential for development. However, it has been plagued by the ongoing internal armed conflicts, with its economic and social development facing even more daunting challenges. Despite this, the GDI has taken root and delivered real results in Sudan, translating itself from an aspirational goal to concrete actions for the country’s benefit. It sets a fine example of global development and South-South cooperation.
China’s supply of emergency aid reflects the people-centered philosophy. Upholding a people-centered approach, the GDI gives top priority to addressing the most urgent survival needs of the people. Since the outbreak of armed conflicts in Sudan in April 2023, the country has been confronted with a deteriorating food insecurity situation. In this context, the Chinese government, despite various difficulties, activated the emergency assistance mechanism within the shortest possible time, sending humanitarian supplies in batches to Sudan. To date, China has provided over 2,000 tons of emergency food assistance to Sudan, along with a large number of essential medical supplies, anti-epidemic supplies and relief and resettlement materials. China’s timely assistance ensures the basic living needs of tens of thousands of local families, which fully demonstrates its commitment to the principle of putting life first, just as advocated by the GDI, and to the spirit of international humanitarianism.
China’s efforts to share both “fish” and “how to fish” are committed to sustainable development. Emphasizing development as priority, the GDI is intended to advance sustainable development of various countries. To this end, China has been providing government scholarships to the Sudanese side and offered various training opportunities as well, in an effort to help Sudan with its human resources development. Besides, China has funded the poverty alleviation and agricultural assistance project in Sudan’s Red Sea State and the sustainable fishery development project. China provided seeds, agricultural machinery and fishing equipment to local households of farmers, fishermen and herders, and introduced measures such as animal epidemic prevention and watershed governance to help with the recovery of Sudan’s agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors, making positive contributions to Sudan’s endeavor to ensure food security, keep improving livelihoods and generate stronger development impetus. The assistance from China is not merely giving, but sowing seeds of hope, which will eventually grow into towering trees.
Coordination and cooperation bring multilateralism into practice. The GDI’s implementation in Sudan stands as an exemplary practice of multilateralism. As the saying goes, “The fire burns high when everyone adds wood to it.” In supporting Sudan’s development, China does not act alone but collaborates with the U.N. and other international multilateral agencies. Specifically, China and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have collaborated in successfully completing the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Project in Sudan. And now, China and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working together to smoothly advance the poverty alleviation and agricultural assistance project in Sudan’s Red Sea State and the sustainable fishery development project. It should be highlighted that the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund initiated and supported by China has become a major resource platform supporting multilateral cooperation between China and Sudan.
The year 2026 is the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, as well as between China and Arab countries. It also marks the start of the second decade for China-Sudan strategic partnership. In this memorable year, the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges has been launched, and the second China-Arab States Summit is about to be hosted by China. Not long ago, China announced the zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1, 2026. Against this backdrop, the Sino-Sudanese relationship and shared development will face valuable, new opportunities. We are convinced that with the concerted efforts of both sides, the GDI is bound to thrive and yield more fruitful results in Sudan.
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