A symposium marking the publication of the Chinese and English editions of China’s Approach, Global Practice was held at Peking University in Beijing on 30 May, alongside an international exchange event on Global South governance experience and development practice. 

Representatives from China International Communications Group (CICG), Peking University and alumni from countries including Ethiopia, Nepal, Romania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo attended the event. 

The book is a compilation of essays written by alumni of Peking University’s Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD). Since its establishment in 2015, over 500 students from Global South countries have received training and degrees from the institute. 

Yu Yunquan, vice president of CICG, speaks at the event 

Yu Yunquan, vice president of CICG, said ISSCAD’s decade-long efforts had trained more than 500 governance professionals from the Global South. He described China’s Approach, Global Practice as a historical record of the institute’s development and achievements. The 42 alumni stories included in the book, he said, illustrate how China’s development experience has been adapted and applied across the Global South. 

Chu Xiaobo, vice president of Peking University, speaks at the event 

Chu Xiaobo, vice president of Peking University, said the institute’s work over the past decade reflects Peking University’s commitment to the Global South. He noted that the book demonstrates how government officials and development practitioners trained by the institute have adapted China’s development experience to local conditions in different countries. 

Justin Yifu Lin, honorary dean of ISSCAD, speaks at the event 

Justin Yifu Lin, honorary dean of ISSCAD, said the institute was an important outcome of an initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the United Nations in 2015. As a key platform for South-South cooperation, the institute has long promoted the sharing of China’s development experience and cultivated high-level public management professionals for developing countries. 

Launch of China’s Approach, Global Practice 

The Chinese and English editions of China’s Approach, Global Practice were unveiled during the event.  

Planned by CICG’s Centre for Europe and Africa (CEA) and jointly compiled and published by CICG’s Foreign Languages Press and the CEA, the book features 42 first-hand accounts from ISSCAD alumni on how they have applied China’s development experience in their home countries. 

During the discussion session, alumni contributors Degaga Endalkachew Sime from Ethiopia, Bista Diwas Raj from Nepal, Boca Raluca Daniela from Romania and Kilassa Umberto Michael from the Democratic Republic of the Congo shared their experiences and reflections, while the English editor Madhusudan Chaubey offered his perspectives on the book. 

The speakers highlighted the importance of adapting development approaches to local realities, strengthening mutual learning among developing countries and promoting practical, people-centred cooperation across the Global South. 

Huang Yiping, dean of ISSCAD, said the institute advocates abandoning rigid imitation of foreign models in favour of policy frameworks suited to local realities and capable of improving people’s livelihoods. He expressed hope for continued cooperation with CICG to share more alumni stories and help to build broader consensus on development among Global South countries. 

The event was jointly organised by Foreign Languages Press, the CEA and ISSCAD.