Photo: Courtesy of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies

On Monday, the China-South Asia Development Cooperation High-Level Dialogue was held in Shanghai. The dialogue, hosted by the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) and themed "Promoting Security Through Development: China and South Asian Countries Marching in Unity to Build a Peaceful, Secure, Cohesive, and Prosperous South Asia," discussed how to strengthen China-South Asia cooperation to safeguard regional security, promote common development and foster minilateral cooperation. 

Chen Dongxiao, president of the SIIS, said the world currently faces multiple profound challenges and transformations. He noted that South Asia continues to exhibit significant shortfalls in peace, stability, development, and regional cooperation. He urged China and South Asian countries to move beyond geopolitical rivalry and jointly transform South Asia into a model of united self-empowerment among developing nations.

Chen Wei, counsellor of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, emphasized that cooperation between China and South Asian nations across diverse fields has been deepening, bringing tangible benefits to the region's people. He expressed China's willingness to work with South Asian countries to jointly advance a high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, deepen alignment of interests, and contribute anew to the region's enduring peace and prosperity.

Regarding institutionalized cooperation between China and South Asian countries, Yang Jiemian, chairman of SIIS Academic Affairs Council, stated that in light of the current international landscape - brimming with both opportunities and challenges - enhanced global cooperation is of paramount importance. He emphasized that China and South Asian nations should first effectively manage their internal affairs, then earnestly uphold genuine multilateralism and embrace open regionalism, while continuously expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening strategic partnerships.

Sohail Mahmood, former foreign secretary of Pakistan and director of the Islamabad-based Institute of Strategic Studies, said the international order is undergoing changes, and South Asia stands at the heart of this shift. He highlighted the region's substantial development deficits and lack of cooperative mechanisms. He noted that the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, which were proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, have received positive responses from South Asian countries. He advocated that China and South Asian nations should seize this opportunity to foster development-driven security and jointly build a China-South Asia community with a shared future.

The event drew participation from over 30 government officials, scholars from think tanks, and diplomatic representatives from China, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.