Belgrade became a crossroads of global diplomacy this week as Serbia hosted the fifth China Dialogue Conference, drawing over 140 scholars and policymakers from 37 countries. The event spotlighted China’s growing influence in reshaping global governance, with debates centering on equity, development, and the role of the United Nations. 🏛️
Rethinking the World Order
Scholars like Zhang Weipeng from the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre highlighted systemic gaps in the current international system. 'The Global South’s voice isn’t heard enough,' he argued, stressing the need for reforms to uphold the UN’s authority and strengthen the rule of law. 🌐
The Global South Speaks Up
Delegates from Africa, Asia, and beyond praised China’s development model. Nigerian official Ako Abbah called China the 'big brother of the world,' citing infrastructure projects and poverty reduction as blueprints for collaboration. Serbia’s Chinese-backed rail link to Budapest was hailed as a tangible success story. 🚄
Peace Over Conflict
Amid rising global tensions, Branislav Dordevic of Belgrade’s Institute of International Politics urged nations to prioritize China’s 'five principles'—peace, development, and equity—over militarization. 'The world is on the verge of collapse,' he warned. 🕊️
As the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen visited nearby, the summit underscored Serbia’s balancing act between East and West—and China’s push to redefine 21st-century diplomacy.
