Globalization is an objective reality and an inevitable trend in the development of human society. Over the past decades, globalization has provided a strong impetus for global economic growth, promoted exchanges and interactions among people from different countries, and driven technological innovation and the progress of human civilization. As the acceleration of the century-changing situation unfolds, the process of globalization faces new circumstances, and global governance encounters new challenges.

The Second Tongzhou Global Development Forum, hosted by Renmin University of China and themed "Building a Community for Development and Creating a New Era for Humanity," was recently held in Beijing. Zhai Dongsheng, Vice Dean of the School of International Relations and Dean of the Institute of Regional and National Studies at Renmin University of China, who was invited to attend the forum, recently accepted an interview with China News Service's "East-West Question" to interpret the new trends of globalization and its future development direction.

On the afternoon of [Date], at the fourth sub-forum of the "Tongzhou Global Development Forum" titled "Party Governance and Modernization in Global South Countries," hosted by Zhai Dongsheng, a photo was provided by the Institute of Regional and National Studies, Renmin University of China.

The following is a summary of the interview transcript:

Reporter from China News Service: Globalization is a historic trend in the development of human society, but as the great changes of the century accelerate, the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation. What new circumstances does globalization face?

Zhai Dongsheng: The historical trend of globalization originates from the formation and development of the world market system, from the aspirations of people around the world for a better life, and from the enduring demand of consumers for lower costs and better products. Therefore, in the long run, globalization has its historical inevitability. However, the evolution of history is tortuous and advances in waves, because the forces driving human history are not only the market but also politics and security factors. It is precisely the rapid progress of the globalization wave since the turn of the century that has stimulated the inherent resistance within Western societies in the post-financial crisis era.

The world political and economic changes since the year are essentially a correction and adjustment to the previous round of neoliberal globalization. The last period of deglobalization, or the previous adjustment cycle of globalization, was from 1914 to 1945, during which two world wars, one Great Depression, and one wave of trade protectionism occurred. It is for this reason that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China accurately and timely characterized the current era as one of turbulence and transformation.

How long will this round of globalization's adjustment period last? Personally, I believe it will last for a considerable amount of time. Firstly, the previous adjustment period lasted for years, with two world wars leading to a rapid and thorough release of stress. This time, however, major countries have not directly gone to war with each other, and the various stresses accumulated during the previous globalization upswing, such as wealth inequality, cultural conflicts, and imbalances of power between nations, have not been released quickly. Instead, they are unfolding in a gradual manner. Therefore, this round of globalization's adjustment period is likely to be a matter of time replacing space: not as severe as the last round, but it may drag on for a long time.

On a certain date, the 6th China International Import Expo concluded. According to reports, the expo's intended transaction amount was $78.41 billion when calculated on an annual basis, a 6.7% increase from the previous session. 11个国家 made their debut at the expo. The picture shows an intended transaction for a John Deere harvester at the expo. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Hengwei.

Reporter from China News Service: In recent years, the global landscape has undergone profound adjustments, with the collective rise of the "Global South" countries becoming a significant force influencing the international political and economic order. In the process of globalization, what role have the "Global South" countries played?

Zhai Dongsheng: The collective rise of the "Global South" countries, if excluding China and India, is primarily not an economic rise, but a political rise. The reason is that, based on economic data, their share in global and international trade has not shown a sustained trend of change. Ultimately, it is because they have not made significant leaps on the ladder of industrialization. However, through self-strengthening and collaboration, leveraging regional and global international cooperation frameworks such as the BRICS mechanism, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the role of the "Global South" countries in world affairs is indeed not to be underestimated.

Although the economic strength of these countries is still relatively limited, their potential is significant. With a global population of billions, the countries of the South account for about billions. If these seven-tenths of the population can gradually embark on a virtuous cycle of social transformation, governance improvement, and economic development, it will inject sustained and robust growth momentum into the world economy, and the external circulation space of the Chinese economy will also be greatly expanded.

In the process of globalization before the year, countries in the "Global South" experienced "differentiation." Some rose, many remained stagnant, and some even saw deindustrialization and modernization regress. Therefore, it is not as simple as "integrating into globalization" to achieve development. History and reality show that the path to development is crowded with pitfalls, and there is no simple, clear, and universally replicable solution. It is necessary to formulate appropriate development strategies based on the country's own endowments and national conditions, combined with the changing international environment.

For example, regarding globalization since the turn of the century, China's approach is neither outright rejection nor wholesale acceptance. Instead, it gradually opens its market, progressively integrates into the world, continuously upgrades its industries, and drives transformations in industrialization, urbanization, and digitalization, all based on its own developmental stages.

Zhai Dongsheng presided over the session at the fourth sub-forum. Photo provided by the Institute of Regional and National Studies, Renmin University of China.

Reporter from China News Service: What are the connotations and values of China's advocacy for an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive and beneficial economic globalization? How can the "Global South" countries play a greater role in the global governance system?

Zhai Dongsheng: China advocates for an equal and orderly world multipolarization and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, which is highly targeted and necessary. This means that the process of promoting multipolarization must neither be disorderly nor hegemonic, and globalization should benefit the broad masses of people.

Western think tanks and media have coined the concept of the "Global South," with the subtext being an attempt to drive a wedge between China and developing countries, demanding that China adhere to the standards of developed nations. However, China has always been a member of the "Global South" and clearly stands on the side of developing countries forever. Together with the countries of the "Global South," China utilizes various international platforms to promote reforms in international institutions, ensuring that all countries, including the vast majority of developing nations, benefit from them. Only then can we achieve a new type of inclusive economic globalization that is universally beneficial.

Reporter from China News Service: In the new era of globalization adjustment, what challenges do you think China still faces? How can these be addressed? And how can China play the role of a responsible major country?

Zhai Dongsheng: In promoting and leading the new globalization process, China still faces several challenges, such as conflicts and adjustments within internal interests. For a country as large as China, the key to addressing external challenges lies in doing its own affairs well. Ultimately, it is about ensuring that the fruits of development benefit the broadest population. This includes establishing a modern social security system with Chinese characteristics, significantly enhancing the level of security, balancing supply-side and demand-side, expanding and strengthening the domestic market, unleashing the consumption capacity and innovation power of hundreds of millions of people, and increasing the level of livelihood security and wealth redistribution.

In the past, China's economy was small, and reforms were driven by openness. Now that China's economy has grown, it can promote global openness through its own reforms. This is why China can play the role of a responsible major country, providing a larger market and more innovative products and services for a new form of globalization.

Date, Nanning, Guangxi: A host conducts live streaming at an auto show using multiple mobile phones. Photo by reporter Chen Guanyan of China News Service.