China's modernization provides possible paths for Global South, researchers say

There is a growing interest in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and China's development philosophy in Latin America, driven by China's economic achievements, its expanding global role and deepening engagement with the Global South, scholars in the region said.

Luis Antonio Paulino, a professor of international relations at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, said that the number of researchers and students interested in various aspects of Chinese development and culture, as well as Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, has increased exponentially in recent years.

"In Brazil, we have a research network on China with over 500 members from across the country, and new members apply every month.

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"All major Brazilian universities house centers for China studies, and the publication of books and articles on China by the Brazilian academic community has increased significantly in recent years," he said.

Paulino attributed the growing interest to China's development achievements and its vision for international cooperation.

"There is growing recognition and acceptance of President Xi Jinping's proposals for building a more peaceful and just world for all, particularly the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative," he said.

When asked which elements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era resonate the most with Latin American audiences, Paulino pointed to issues closely linked to the region's own development priorities.

For Gustavo Alejandro Girado, director of the postgraduate program on contemporary China studies at the National University of Lanus in Argentina, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era offers an important framework for understanding China's long-term vision and its approach to international relations.

"President Xi's thinking is a valuable tool available for us in Latin America for better understanding the thinking of the leadership of the world's second-largest economy," Girado said.

"It is an excellent collection of solid and well-structured arguments summarizing what China intends for itself and for the rest of the world, and it is very useful for academics to have concrete elements for understanding China's contribution to the new global order," he said.

He added that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era also helps explain China's priorities in its engagement with developing countries.

"It is very useful for the rest of the world because it provides a clear road map of China's aspirations for itself and its relations with the rest of the world," he said.

Discussing the significance of China's role in global governance, Girado argued that many developing countries are now looking for new approaches after decades of uneven development.

"We do know, for example, and our experience bears witness to it, that current global governance models haven't helped us escape poverty and destitution, nor have they improved income distribution.

"This is why China's presence is so beneficial to us. Its presence and its becoming the voice of the voiceless are crucial to ensure our demands are met," he said.

Inspiring experience

On Chinese modernization, Girado said that although every country must find its own path, China's experience is inspiring.

"It's excellent that China allows us to closely observe the political and economic processes it follows to achieve this modernization," he said. "For me, it is very useful to know that 'it can be done', that there are possible paths, and that China points them out based on its own experiences."

In recent years, China and Latin American and Caribbean countries have deepened cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, science and technology and infrastructure. The China-CELAC Forum, a ministerial-level dialogue between China and Latin American and Caribbean states, was established in 2015 and the fourth ministerial meeting of the forum was held in Beijing in May 2025.

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Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the two sides have implemented more than 200 infrastructure projects, creating over a million jobs. The inauguration of Chancay Port in Peru, for example, has forged a new land-and-sea connectivity link between Asia and Latin America. China has also signed free trade agreements with Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

Last year, trade between China and LAC countries exceeded $500 billion for the first time.

The two sides also have maintained close academic exchanges, which Girado sees as an essential bridge for fostering greater understanding.

"The role of academia is very important for China's initiatives to materialize, for the bi-regional relationship to grow, for the cultural gap to narrow, for building bridges, for bringing nations closer together, and for leaders to make better decisions," he said.

Contact the writers at gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com