How China and Global South Nations are Redefining Global Governance Dynamics

Reshaping Global Governance: The Role of China and the Global South

In recent discussions at the 11th China and Globalization Forum, held in Beijing, experts emphasized that China's expanding partnerships with other nations in the Global South are crucial for reforming global governance. These collaborations aim to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable international system, especially amid the increasing challenges posed by economic uncertainties, climate change, and post-conflict recovery.

During a roundtable discussion titled "Reshaping Frameworks for Global Governance: The Role of China and the Global South," prominent figures from various countries, including Khalid Emara, the former assistant foreign minister of Egypt, shared insights on the growing influence of the Global South. Emara pointed out that the BRICS group—a coalition representing nearly half of the world’s population—accounts for about 30% of global GDP and 25% of global trade. The expansion of this group, which includes core members from Africa and the Middle East, is fundamentally altering the landscape of international governance.

Emara characterized diplomacy as an essential tool for fostering partnerships and highlighted two significant China-led initiatives that exemplify this trend:
1. Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: Since its inception, this forum has facilitated over $280 billion in annual trade between China and African nations. Its contributions extend beyond trade, significantly enhancing infrastructure development and establishing free trade arrangements among African Union member states.
2. China-Arab States Cooperation Forum: This partnership achieved over $400 billion in trade within the last year, with energy cooperation playing a crucial role in strengthening ties between these regions.

These initiatives illustrate how nations in the Global South are stepping into a more active role in shaping the international order, according to Emara.

Another speaker, Shaikha Al-Shaibi, who is the head of partnership planning and evaluation at the Qatar Fund for Development, discussed the potential of China-Gulf collaborations as a model for modern South-South cooperation. She emphasized that China’s strengths in infrastructure, innovation, and technology are well complemented by Gulf states' expertise in humanitarian aid and sustainable development financing.

Al-Shaibi argued that development strategies need to prioritize people, inclusivity, and diversity to maximize the impact of these partnerships. "By investing together and sharing knowledge, Gulf-China relations present a promising framework for future collaborative development efforts," she stated.

The 11th China and Globalization Forum, which took place from May 22 to May 23, 2025, gathered more than 300 participants from over 60 nations to engage in discussions around key themes such as multilateralism, global governance, and the evolving dynamics of China-U.S. relations as well as the emerging role of the Global South.

Overall, these discussions point towards a paradigm shift in how global governance is viewed and implemented. As new power dynamics emerge, the importance of the Global South in addressing global issues is increasingly recognized, suggesting that a more balanced international system may be on the horizon as these partnerships continue to evolve.