Wang Yi speaks of the remarkable growth of the Global South: The wind rises from the south, the tide comes from the south.

On March 7, 2025, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, spoke about Global South cooperation at a press conference during the Two Sessions.

Wang Yi said that the world today is undergoing profound changes, with the winds rising from the South and the tides surging from the South. The remarkable growth of the Global South is the most prominent feature of this era. Today, the Global South accounts for over 40% of the global economy and contributes 80% to global economic growth, becoming a key force in maintaining international peace, driving global development, and improving global governance. Under the unprecedented changes of the past century, the relationship between East, West, North, and South has undergone a historic shift. Looking to the future, the Global South is crucial for stabilizing and improving the world.

Wang Yi stated that the Global South must strengthen itself. At the beginning of this year, Indonesia became a full member of BRICS, and nine partner countries joined the BRICS family. BRICS is becoming the "backbone" of Global South cooperation and the "engine" of growth. We must make the "Greater BRICS" even bigger and stronger, making the Global South's driving force even more robust and abundant.

The Global South must unite. In addition to China hosting the SCO summit, Brazil and South Africa will also host the BRICS and G20 summits respectively this year. We must project a unified voice internationally, safeguard common interests, and continuously enhance our representation and voice in global governance.

The Global South needs development. Last November, President Xi Jinping announced eight actions by China to support global development, injecting new impetus into the accelerated development of the Global South. We must continue to place development at the center of the international agenda, cultivate development momentum, enhance development capabilities, and work together on the road to modernization.

Wang Yi said that China is a natural member of the Global South because we share a common history of anti-colonialism and anti-hegemony, and a common mission of development and revitalization. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always be committed to the Global South, rooted in the Global South, and working with other Global South countries to write a new chapter in the history of human development.