China’s Perspectives on the Post-2015 Agenda

What priority areas are emerging in China’s approach to its development work beyond 2015?

What are the perspectives for China’s role in the supply of global public goods?

China’s Perspectives on the Post-2015 Agenda

I. Key points of China’s Position Paper on the Development Agenda beyond 2015 (September, 2013)

II. The perspectives for China’s role in the supply of global public goods (GPG)

III. Driving forces of China’s policies

China’s Perspectives on the Post-2015 Agenda

The Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms in brief (adopted at the close of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee on Nov 9 to 12, 2013, Four-day plenum) http://www.china.org.cn/china/third_plenary_session/2013-11/16/content_30620736.htm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, “China’s Position Paper on the Development Agenda beyond 2015”, ,22/09/2013 http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t1078984.shtml

SIIS: “China's Global Strategy (2013-2023)” http://en.siis.org.cn/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=show&catid=64&id=2

UN System Task Team on the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda, “Realizing the Future We Want for All: Report to the Secretary-General”, New York, June 2012. http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/policy/untaskteam_undf/untt_report.pdf

The Report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economics Through Sustainable Development”, 30 May 2013 http://www.un.org/sg/management/pdf/HLP_P2015_Report.pdf

The Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals, “Progress report of the Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals” ,23 July 2013. http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67/941&Lang=E

Sustainable Development Solutions Network, “An Action Agenda for Sustainable Development” http://unsdsn.org/resources/publications/an-action-agenda-for-sustainable-development/

I. Key Points of China’s Position Paper

China and four important UN bodies (the UN STT; the HLP; the Open Working Group of the GA on SDGs; and the SDSN) concur on the following points:

Poverty eradication is a core element of the post-2015 agenda.

Sustainable development and inclusive growth are prerequisites for prosperity and social welfare.

All countries share responsibilities in addressing global challenges according to their capabilities.

South-South cooperation is a useful supplement to North-South cooperation, but traditional donors must not renege on their commitments.

I. Key Points of China’s Position Paper

The position paper makes the case that four underlying principles should shape the post-2015 agenda.

1. Respect sovereignty and diversity in development models

2. Manage international burden-sharing

3. Build on the MDGs

4. Avoid an overloaded agenda

I. Key Points of China’s Position Paper

Global Public Goods are those goods which are non-rivalrous, non-excludable, and are available worldwide. The following are GPGs

global or regional security architecture world open and fare free trade system international financial stability communicable disease control coping with climate change keeping Sustainable Development etc.

II. The Perspectives for China’s Role in the Supply of GPG

II. The Perspectives for China’s Role in the Supply of GPG

Provision of global public goods should be the responsibility of all the actors, namely the nation-states in the international system be they big or small, developed or developing, through effective cooperation with international regimes such as UN MDGs and Post 2015 Development Agenda

II. The Perspectives for China’s Role in the Supply of GPG

1. China will Adhere to the principle of “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities”

2. China insist that the post 2015 World Development “Goals should be simple, clear, practical and applicable to all countries on a voluntary basis”

3. China will continue to try its best to provide GPG through different channels or mechanism.

II. The Perspectives for China’s Role in the Supply of GPG

4. Possibly China will agree with including some GPG-type policy issues in post 2015 agenda such as global climate stability, sustainable development, inclusive growth etc. (Support the integration of MDGs and SDGs into a single framework and set of goals?)

5. Whether China can effectively provide GPG depends on whether China can really play the role as the bridge between the Developing and the Developed, The South and the North, The G-77 and the OECD 34

III. Driving Forces of China’s Policies

Five principles of peaceful co-existence

The five principles of peaceful co-existence – mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; mutual non-aggression; non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful coexistence – are the fundamental normative framework for China in international affairs.

III. Driving Forces of China’s Policies

China’s identity as developing country China’s government insists on its international

status as largest developing country although its economy ranks number two in the world. The communist party openly admits that the country struggles with meeting the ever growing material and cultural needs of the population. Up till now, more than 100 million people are still living in extreme poverty. Measured by 2012 per capita income, China ranks 93 in international comparison.

III. Driving forces of China’s Policies

Achievements in implementing the MDGs The country’s focus on poverty eradication is

shaped by its successful track record at home. The impact of the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th

CPC Central Committee In “The Decision on Major Issues Concerning

Comprehensively Deepening Reforms” 1. Promoting domestic and global governance 2. Draw a “red line” for ecological protection

III. Driving forces of China’s Policies

China must deepen its all-round reform with a new starting point.

The general purpose of deepening its all-round reform is to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, to advance modernization in the State governance system and governance capability.

Draw a “red line” for ecological protection. To set up a national park system. Build monitoring and warning mechanisms for the carrying capacity of natural resources and the environment. End the GDP assessment of key poverty-alleviation areas with fragile eco-systems.

Efforts are to be made to promote harmony and vitality of society and to maintain state security

III. Driving forces of China’s Policies

the “Decision” made on the third plenary session initiated a novel discourse about transforming the traditional top-down style of state rule into a new mode of interactive, multi-stakeholder governance and also focusing on environment issues signals long-term changes in China’s development philosophy.

Thank You!