Wang Yi: Giving Priority to Development at G20 Summit Agenda is Both a Common Expectation of Developing Countries and an Obligation of China
On May 26, 2016, at the briefing for Chinese and foreign media held by the Foreign Ministry on G20 Hangzhou Summit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that helping developing countries to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development is not only a common moral responsibility of the international community, but also a power source for world economic growth.
As the largest developing country, China has a deep understanding on the importance of development. Since the implementation of the reform and opening up policy, we have resolutely set development as a top priority, which not only has brought profound changes to China, but also made enormous contribution to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals of the international community. Giving priority to development at the G20 Summit, which is soon to be held in China, is both a common expectation of developing countries and an obligation of China.
This year is the first year of carrying out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Chinese side holds that if G20 members, as major world economies, can take a lead in the agenda implementation, they will play important exemplary and guiding roles. In light of this, we are committed to calling on the G20 to formulate an action plan for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This action plan includes collective action by G20 member states as well as individual action of each country. Individual action aims at incorporating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into each country's development blueprint on the basis of its own national conditions and needs. Collective action focuses on experience exchange and mutual support, especially those provided to developing countries. The core of the action plan is to combine the work of G20 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development so as to strive for practical measures in infrastructure investment, industrialization, energy, food safety and other areas of primary concerns of developing countries.
We will continue to, together with G20 member states, strengthen cooperation with developing countries and endeavor to build development into an outstanding name card of the Hangzhou Summit.