Special Lecture by Former Vice Minister of Commerce Dr. Jiang Yaoping Successfully Held

On October 17, 2024, the 13th session of the "Tongji University Advanced Forum" and the 100th session of the "Tongji University Frontiers of Social Sciences Lecture Series," hosted by the China Institute for Strategic Studies/School of Political Science and International Relations at Tongji University, was successfully held in the Lecture Hall on the first floor of the Yifu Building at the Siping Road Campus. The lecture featured a keynote speech by Dr. Jiang Yaoping, former Vice Minister of Commerce, titled "The Evolution of Trade Relations Between China and 'Global South' Countries and Its Profound Impact on the Global Trade Landscape." The event was chaired by Professor Men Honghua, a Distinguished Professor under the Ministry of Education's Changjiang Scholars Program and Dean of the School of Political Science and International Relations, and attended by more than 300 faculty members and students.

Dr. Jiang Yaoping’s lecture focused on five key aspects: the significant impact of trade development in "Global South" countries on reshaping the global trade landscape, the role of emerging market trade growth in fostering global trade prosperity, the optimization of trade structures in emerging markets driving global trade structure upgrades, the innovation of trade models in emerging markets reshaping the global trade framework, and recommendations for high-quality trade development between China and "Global South" countries.

First, Dr. Jiang analyzed the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries, emphasizing that the "Global South" is becoming a key force in reshaping the international order. He cited President Xi Jinping's remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2023 BRICS Business Forum, noting that the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries, represented by BRICS nations, is fundamentally altering the global landscape. Dr. Jiang pointed out that the "Global South" is not merely a geographical or economic concept but an identity rooted in shared historical experiences, similar stages of development, common goals, and political aspirations. As a member of the "Global South" family, China has always shared a common destiny with other "Global South" countries and remains a pillar in promoting their development and revitalization. In recent years, trade among "Global South" countries has grown rapidly, significantly reshaping the global trade landscape and becoming a critical variable in determining its trajectory. This transformation not only profoundly influences global economic trends but also triggers a series of changes in theglobal trade framework.

Second, Dr. Jiang emphasized that the growth of emerging market trade is continuously driving global trade prosperity. He noted that China has maintained its position as the world's largest trading nation in goods for seven consecutive years and has become the primary trading partner for over 150 countries and regions. Emerging markets now account for half of China's trade volume, with their share of total imports and exports rising to 64.6% from January to August 2024. Trade with ASEAN and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries grew by 10% and 7%, respectively, serving as major drivers of trade growth. Using ASEAN as a case study, Dr. Jiang highlighted the exponential growth of China-ASEAN trade over the past 33 years, attributing its success to policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized that China and ASEAN are key engines of global economic growth, with their cooperation serving as a model for promoting global trade liberalization and regional peace and stability, as well as a vivid example of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Meanwhile, China's trade with Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East has also flourished, with the collective rise of "Global South" trade driving a shift in the global trade center. This shift marks a significant departure from traditional trade patterns, reflecting the enhanced status of emerging markets and developing countries in global trade. Such changes contribute to the diversification, balance, and liberalization of global trade, fostering global economic prosperity and stability.

Next, Dr. Jiang delved into how the optimization of trade structures in emerging markets is driving upgrades in the global trade structure. He explained that the composition and trends in trade structures directly determine the characteristics and trajectory of the global trade landscape, reflecting countries' comparative advantages, industrialization levels, and roles in the international division of labor. Using processing trade as an example, he analyzed the optimization and upgrading of China's trade outcomes. He noted that processing trade emerged as a result of international industrial division and China's reform and opening up, significantly boosting China's rapid economic growth by creating jobs and driving the development of upstream and downstream industries. However, as China's economy transitions from high-speed growth to high-quality development, with changes in demographic and resource advantages, processing trade urgently requires transformation and upgrading. Dr. Jiang cited examples of private enterprises like Bull Group and BYD to illustrate how China's manufacturing sector is advancing toward high-end, intelligent, and green development, with new productive forces rapidly emerging. Supported by industrial upgrades, export structures are also improving. As the trade structures of emerging markets and developing countries optimize, their roles in the global division of labor are shifting, creating opportunities to gain higher value-added benefits and enhancing their bargaining power in global trade. This not only improves the quality and efficiency of global trade but also strengthens its sustainability, driving continuous and healthy development of the global economy.

Dr. Jiang then shared his insights on how innovations in trade models in emerging markets are reshaping the global trade framework. He highlighted that China has signed 22 free trade agreements with 29 countries and regions, establishing a high-standard free trade zone network that is rooted in neighboring regions, extends across the Belt and Road Initiative, and reaches globally. This has significantly reduced regional trade costs, tightened industrial and supply chain linkages, and injected strong momentum into regional economic and trade cooperation. Trade with free trade partners accounts for about one-third of China's total foreign trade. Dr. Jiang emphasized that cross-border e-commerce has become a new growth engine for China's foreign trade, showcasing immense potential and broad prospects. Its success is driven by the continuous improvement of bilateral and regional e-commerce rules, effective cross-border e-commerce policies, enhanced logistics services, and increasingly sophisticated financial services. Cross-border e-commerce also empowers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to go global, building flexible digital supply chains through "cross-border e-commerce + industrial clusters," and elevating the value chain of Chinese brands. The comprehensive competitiveness of China and "Global South" countries in trade continues to rise, supported by a robust manufacturing base, diversified market layouts, rich intermediate goods trade, innovative business models, accelerated green and digital transitions, and an increasing number of free trade agreement partners. These factors collectively drive the "Global South" to occupy a larger share of global trade, fundamentally altering the global trade map and advancing toward a more balanced, equitable, and sustainable trade landscape.

Finally, Dr. Jiang offered several recommendations for promoting high-quality trade development between China and "Global South" countries:

1. Adhering to the principle of consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits in global governance.

2. Expanding economic and trade cooperation through trade facilitation.

3. Advancing the digitalization and greening of trade.

4. Actively participating in the formulation of multilateral trade rules.

5. Focusing on talent cultivation and think tank development.

6. Strengthening cultural exchanges and fostering people-to-people connectivity.

Dr. Jiang concluded by stating that the "Global South" has become a powerful force driving human progress. At this historical juncture, "Global South" countries should work together with greater openness and inclusiveness, prioritizing humanity's future and people's well-being, to promote a peaceful, secure, prosperous, and progressive world.

During the Q&A session, Dr. Jiang engaged actively with Tongji University faculty and students, discussing topics such as aligning corporate and national strategies in the "Global South" and how China should respond to Western provocations on "Global South" issues.

At the end of the lecture, Dean Men Honghua expressed his gratitude to Dr. Jiang for his insightful presentation. He noted that Dr. Jiang explored the relationship between China and the "Global South" from the perspective of international trade, emphasizing that trade is a crucial factor in national development, particularly for developing powers. Trade serves as a marker of internationalization, a global pillar of development, a strategic support for balancing "two major contexts," and a benchmark for high-level, high-quality national development. Dr. Jiang's lecture addressed core issues in international relations and diplomacy, highlighting the strategic importance of China's relationship with the "Global South."

Dean Men emphasized that the "Global South" is no longer synonymous with poverty and backwardness but now represents significant economic strength and global influence. Its political stance cannot be ignored, and its rise has reshaped the dynamics of great power competition. The "Global South" participates in global affairs with an independent and non-aligned stance. From a strategic perspective, it is essential to design and manage cooperation with the "Global South" as a strategic pillar. China's shared destiny, intertwined interests, and connected future with "Global South" countries represent a critical strategic foundation.

Dean Men concluded that Dr. Jiang's lecture was not only a professional masterclass, covering trade dynamics, industrial development, and policy alignment, but also a methodological lesson, demonstrating the importance of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Furthermore, it was a political and ideological education, showcasing China's confidence in trade and regional affairs. Dr. Jiang's insights into China's strategic layout with ASEAN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and related regions underscore the solid foundation China has established for strategic competition, enabling it to form community relationships with relevant regions and secure a strong position in global strategic competition.