On August 13,2026,H.E. Ambassador Zhang Maoming published an article titled “Development: Key to Our Shared Future—On the Fifth Anniversary of the Global Development Initiative” in The Rising Nepal.

Focusing on Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by President Xi Jinping, it was noted that the GDI has evolved from a Chinese proposal into an international consensus, and from an initiative based on shared principles into concrete and practical actions. Guided by the GDI, Nepal and China have continuously deepened cooperation in areas including connectivity, green development, people’s well-being, digital development, and capacity building, providing strong support for Nepal in enhancing its capacity for independent development. China stands ready to work with Nepal, taking the fifth anniversary of the GDI and the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal as a new starting point, to inject fresh impetus into China-Nepal cooperation.

The full text of the article is as follows:

Five years ago, at a time when the world was undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, the COVID-19 pandemic had dealt a severe blow to the global economy, and implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development had fallen seriously behind schedule, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The GDI advocates six core commitments: staying committed to development as a priority, staying committed to a people-centered approach, staying committed to benefits for all, staying committed to innovation-driven development, staying committed to harmony between humanity and nature, and staying committed to results-oriented actions. It offers a viable Chinese solution to addressing the global development deficit and advancing inclusive global common development.

Over the past five years, the GDI has evolved from a  visionary Chinese proposal into widespread international consensus and from conceptual vision into tangible action. It has  garnered the support and participation of more than 130 countries and international organizations, with nearly 100 countries as well as international and regional organizations signing relevant cooperation documents with China. To date,  the GDI has mobilized more than USD23 billion in development financing, delivered over 1,800 cooperation projects, and trained upwards 200,000 professional personnel worldwide. It has firmly established itself as a vital international public good that spearheads the full implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The GDI’s extensive international recognition stems from its targeted response to the world’s most pressing development challenges, as well as its grounding in China’s decades-long proven modernization experience. China has long upheld that development holds the master key to resolving all global problems. Sustained economic growth, improved people’s  livelihoods, and enhanced independent development capacity constitute the cornerstone of enduring national stability and prosperity. Likewise, only by reinstating development as a core priority on the global agenda can the international community fundamentally narrow gaps in poverty eradication, conflict resolution and uneven global development.

The GDI champions true multilateralism and follows the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. It imposes no political strings, participates in no bloc confrontation, and seeks no geopolitical rivalry. It fully respects every country’s right to independently choose its own development path and supports all countries in exploring modernization suited to their national conditions. Embodied in the GDI is China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, which resonates profoundly with the universal aspiration of developing countries for peace, development and national rejuvenation.

For Nepal, the GDI is far from an abstract concept but a concrete and down-to-earth driving force for national progress. As a mountainous least developed country, Nepal faces long-standing bottlenecks including inadequate infrastructure, underdeveloped industrial sectors, untapped energy potentials and insufficient cross-border connectivity — all core priority areas of the GDI. As an important member of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, Nepal has worked closely with China under the GDI framework to deepen pragmatic development cooperation spanning connectivity, energy, electricity, agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation, digital economy and human resources development. Such cooperation has helped to bolster Nepal’s self-generated development capacity and delivered robust impetus to its sustainable growth.  

·Connectivity cooperation has yielded steady and fruitful progress. Cross-border transportation links between Nepal and China have been steadily upgraded, border port infrastructure has been optimized, and the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network has registered solid advancement, creating favourable conditions for Nepal to expand external opening-up and integrate into regional connectivity networks.

·Green development cooperation continues to deepen. China  supports Nepal in leveraging its abundant hydropower resources through extensive cooperation on power transmission infrastructure, grid upgrading and renewable energy development. Such collaboration strengthens Nepal’s energy security while promoting green and low-carbon development. The two sides have also expanded cooperation in ecological conservation, disaster prevention and mitigation, and climate change response, joining hands to safeguard the Himalayan ecosystem and pursue harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

·Livelihood cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to the Nepali people. China-assisted hospitals, schools and other livelihood projects continue to generate sustained social benefits. Cooperation in healthcare has been continuously expanded, agricultural technology support has boosted local crop yields, and systematic human resources training programs for government officials, technical professionals and young people have fostered skilled talent pool to fuel Nepal’s long-term development.

·Digital development and capacity building have emerged as new highlights of bilateral cooperation. Amid booming global digital economy, China and Nepal have strengthened cooperation in digital infrastructure, e-commerce and digital talent cultivation, opening up broader opportunities for Nepal to embrace the dividends of the digital era.

This year marks the 71st anniversary of China-Nepal diplomatic ties. Over the past seven decades, regardless of shifting international dynamics, the two nations have always adhered to mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, with our time-honoured friendship standing the test of time. Today, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and GDI implementation reinforce and complement each other,   continuously injecting fresh vitality into bilateral practical cooperation. With strong support from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund established by the Chinese government, China will continue to work with bilateral and multilateral partners to deepen cooperation in infrastructure building, green transition, digital economy, poverty reduction and public health, accelerating the localized implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nepal.

The world today is entering a new phase of turbulence and transformation. Rising unilateralism and protectionism continue to widen the global development deficit. Against such a backdrop, prioritizing development and strengthening international cooperation have never been more imperative. Just as the GDI addressed the defining question of our times “what development the world requires” five years ago, it keeps delivering valuable guidance to Global South nations as they explore their own distinctive paths toward modernization.

Development is a cause for all, and no country can afford to stand aside as a spectator. China stands ready to work with Nepal and all other countries, taking the fifth anniversary of the GDI as a new starting point, to uphold openness and inclusiveness, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, and pursue common development. We will deepen all-round pragmatic cooperation, translate development achievements into tangible benefits accessible, perceptible and enjoyable to people of all countries, forge ahead toward a future free from poverty, characterized by shared prosperity and sustainable development, and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.