People's Republic of China at 77: A journey of development, openness and shared future

October 1 marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, offering an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable journey of development, transformation and growing engagement with the world. Over more than seven decades, China has moved through profound stages of economic and social change, from the early years of socialist revolution and development after 1949, to reform and opening-up in 1978 and, since 2012, a new era in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Each stage has contributed to the country's evolving path towards modernization and national rejuvenation.

Behind this journey has been the sustained effort of the Chinese people and the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which this year celebrates its 105th anniversary. Throughout its history, the CPC has identified improving people's wellbeing and pursuing national rejuvenation as central objectives. China's experience over the past decades has demonstrated that economic development and social stability can advance together, providing the foundation for continued modernization and improvements in people's lives.

Today, China remains the world's second-largest economy and a major contributor to global economic growth. Its development has increasingly been accompanied by advances in technological innovation, industrial upgrading and improvements in living standards. With China's GDP surpassing 140 trillion yuan (about $20.8 trillion), the country is entering the initial stage of its 15th Five-Year Plan, providing a new framework for pursuing high-quality development and advancing Chinese modernization.

The country's development has also placed increasing emphasis on ensuring that the benefits of modernization are shared more broadly. The implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress provides a stronger legal foundation for safeguarding the rights and interests of all 56 ethnic groups and supporting their participation in and contribution to the country's modernization process.

China's development story, however, is not confined within its national borders. As a major trading partner of more than 160 countries, China has continued to expand its engagement with the global economy while promoting greater openness and international cooperation. Its approach reflects the belief that development is mutually reinforcing: progress in China can create opportunities for other countries, while a stable and prosperous global economy provides a favorable environment for China's own development.

This outlook also extends to international affairs. China has consistently advocated dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes and addressing the underlying causes of conflicts. Through initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, China has sought to contribute ideas and practical approaches to addressing common challenges facing humanity. The establishment and operation of new international platforms, including the International Organization for Mediation, also reflects efforts to translate these proposals into practical mechanisms for international cooperation.

For Africa, China's development experience and its expanding engagement with the continent have created new opportunities for cooperation. Despite the geographical distance separating the two sides, China and Africa have developed increasingly close political, economic and people-to-people ties, based on a shared commitment to development and a stronger voice for developing countries in global affairs.

A significant recent step came on May 1, when China introduced zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including South Africa. The policy has the potential to improve market access for African products, strengthen trade links and create additional opportunities for African producers seeking to reach Chinese consumers. For countries such as South Africa, the measure also provides an opportunity to explore new avenues for agricultural exports and other high-quality products, while encouraging deeper integration between the two economies.

The China-South Africa relationship provides a particularly important example of this expanding cooperation. In recent years, the all-round strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries has continued to deepen under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The ninth plenary session of the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission, co-chaired earlier this year by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, further strengthened the framework for cooperation across a range of sectors.

Economic ties remain at the heart of this relationship. China has been South Africa's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, while Chinese investment in South Africa has expanded across sectors and contributed to industrial development and employment. Bilateral trade has surpassed $53.5 billion, while China's stock of direct investment in South Africa has exceeded $25 billion.

At the same time, cooperation is increasingly moving beyond traditional trade and investment. The signing this year of a phytosanitary protocol paving the way for South African fresh cherries to enter the Chinese market represents another practical example of how bilateral cooperation can create opportunities for businesses and consumers on both sides. As more South African agricultural and other products enter the Chinese market, the relationship is developing greater depth and bringing tangible opportunities to producers.

Technology and innovation are also becoming increasingly important areas of China-South Africa cooperation. South Africa's participation in the China-initiated World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization reflects a shared interest in promoting responsible AI development and ensuring that developing countries are not left behind in the technological transformation taking place around the world.

The two countries also share a broader platform through BRICS. As the organization marks two decades of cooperation, China and South Africa are preparing to assume the BRICS chairship successively over the next two years. Their cooperation will provide an opportunity to strengthen the voice of the Global South and promote greater collaboration on development, trade, technology and global governance.

The philosophy of Ubuntu, widely associated with the idea that "I am because we are", offers a meaningful perspective on the relationship between China and Africa. It captures the understanding that progress is strengthened through cooperation, mutual support and shared responsibility. In a similar spirit, China has repeatedly emphasized that its own development is interconnected with that of the wider world.

As China begins a new stage of development under the 15th Five-Year Plan, its engagement with Africa and South Africa is likely to remain an important part of this broader vision. For South Africa, the expansion of access to the Chinese market, growing investment, technological cooperation and stronger people-to-people exchanges provide opportunities to deepen an already substantial partnership.

Seventy-seven years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country is looking ahead with a continued emphasis on modernization, innovation and openness. For China and South Africa, the years ahead present an opportunity to transform longstanding political friendship into even broader practical cooperation and to contribute together to a more prosperous, peaceful and representative global order.