MASERU, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Lesotho scholars have voiced support for China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI), saying the initiative offers hope for addressing the underrepresentation of the Global South in global affairs and promoting a more inclusive international system.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Lesotho on Monday to mark the first anniversary of the GGI, Assoc. Prof. Regina Thetsane, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, representing the leadership of the National University of Lesotho (NUL), said that cooperation with Chinese academic and research institutions had shown "how knowledge can build bridges between nations," citing research collaboration, academic exchanges, student mobility and institutional partnerships.
Thetsane said the discussion on the GGI was timely, noting the continued underrepresentation of the Global South in global affairs. She said the GGI offered renewed hope for addressing these gaps.
NUL political science lecturer Tlohang Letsie said the GGI sought reform rather than replacement of the existing international system. "It aims to reform it from within, giving the developing world a rightful equal seat at the table," he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho Yang Xiaokun said the principles underpinning the GGI were of particular importance to small and medium-sized countries, which he said were too often pressed to align with one side or another.
Yang said it was unfair and unreasonable to ignore or harm the interests of small states and force them to choose sides, adding that this had to be corrected through greater democracy in international relations.
He said China is a true friend of small and medium-sized countries, which make up the majority of the United Nations' member states and therefore hold an important voice in determining whether the multilateral system is equitable.
