Over 200 think tanks from the Global South countries, a grouping of emerging markets and developing countries, have joined hands to form an alliance to foster deeper South-South cooperation and advance global governance.

The alliance was established on Thursday in east China’s Nanjing City during the second Global South Think Tanks Dialogue.

Initiated by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), the alliance was co-founded by China Media Group (CMG), the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Fudan University and Renmin University of China.

Themed “Global South: Equality, Openness, and Cooperation,” the dialogue attracted over 400 participants, including political figures, representatives from think tanks, and scholars from more than 100 emerging markets and developing countries.

During the opening ceremony, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the IDCPC, underscored the growing significance of the Global South in today’s rapidly changing world. He emphasized the pivotal role the nations play in advancing human progress and expressed China’s commitment to working alongside them.

Upholding the values of independence, solidarity, justice, openness and inclusiveness, China seeks to collaborate with the Global South in building a shared future community, he said, adding that the newly formed think tanks alliance is envisioned as a platform to leverage the collective wisdom of these nations.

Xin Changxing, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Jiangsu Provincial Committee, highlighted Jiangsu Province’s commitment to high-level opening up and its ambition to build a two-way opening up with global influence. Located at the intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative, Jiangsu aims to be a steadfast supporter and active participant in Global South cooperation, contributing to the advancement of universal prosperity, common security and diverse harmony.

Foreign guests spoke highly of the significant achievements made by the Communist Party of China in leading the Chinese people in modernization.

Bimala Ghimire, vice chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal, said that Global South countries have become a new force for change and a beacon of hope in today’s world, advocating for fostering equality, openness, and cooperation to consolidate the collective wisdom and strength of the Global South.

Patrick Herminie, chairman of the United Seychelles Party and former speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, said cooperation among Global South countries helps strengthen communication and dialogue, enhance mutual understanding, safeguard common interests, and promote world peace and stable development.

Hurtado Perez, president of the Nico Lopez University of Cuba, said President Xi Jinping’s concept of a community with a shared future for mankind provides important guidance for addressing global challenges, with China being a proactive force in promoting Global South solidarity and cooperation.

Fan Yun, deputy editor-in-chief of CMG and editor-in-chief of China Global Television Network (CGTN), another founding member of the alliance, said that as the world’s largest and most comprehensive international media conglomerate, CMG is committed to leveraging its 80-language communication advantage and global partnerships to actively disseminate the research achievements of Global South think tanks. Fan emphasized CMG’s dedication to working closely with the think tanks to be a stabilizing force for peace, a pillar for open development, a constructive force for global governance, and a promoter of exchanges among different civilizations.