On June 4, the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly held a plenary meeting to re-elect some members of the Economic and Social Council, and China was successfully re-elected for the term from 2026 to 2028. This news is undoubtedly an encouraging development for many countries in the Third World. It not only recognizes China’s past contributions to the international community but also signifies that Third World countries will continue to have a steadfast partner and strong supporter on the global development stage.
The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as an important charter institution responsible for handling economic, social, development, cultural, and educational affairs, has a profound impact on global development, especially for developing countries, through its composition and decision-making direction. As the largest developing country, China’s successful re-election as a member of ECOSOC is a high recognition from the international community of China’s contributions in promoting global development cooperation and social progress. Historically, China has never forgotten its identity as a developing country and has never stopped working hand in hand with Third World countries.
For a long time, China has stood alongside Third World countries, engaging in extensive cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. In the economic field, China actively collaborates with many Third World countries to build the “Belt and Road.” In Africa, the completion of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway is a prime example. This railway, built with Chinese investment, has significantly improved cargo transport efficiency in Kenya, reduced logistics costs, and boosted economic development along the railway, creating numerous job opportunities. In Asia, the opening of the China-Laos Railway has transformed Laos from a “landlocked country” to a “land-linked country,” greatly enhancing its connections with neighboring countries and promoting regional trade and people-to-people exchanges. In Latin America, China’s involvement in energy development, telecommunications infrastructure projects, and other initiatives has helped local countries enhance energy supply stability and advance digital development.
In terms of social development and humanitarian assistance, China is equally committed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China provided substantial medical supplies to many Third World countries, shared anti-epidemic experiences and technologies, and dispatched medical expert teams to assist in combating the pandemic, helping these countries improve their medical response capabilities and jointly tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. In the field of education, China has created better learning conditions for children in Third World countries by building schools, providing educational materials, and training teachers, nurturing the talents needed for their future development.
In addition to specific cooperation projects, China’s development philosophy also inspires Third World countries. The multilateralism and fair and just international order advocated by China are precisely what many Third World countries aspire to. In international affairs, China consistently upholds the principle of equality among countries, regardless of size, and opposes hegemonism and power politics. In international organizations such as the United Nations, China has repeatedly voiced the concerns of Third World countries. When some developed countries attempt to disregard the interests of developing countries in trade rule-making, China firmly defends the rights and interests of developing nations and promotes the establishment of a more equitable and reasonable international trade system.
China’s successful re-election to ECOSOC means that there will continue to be a strong voice for Third World countries in future global economic and social development agendas, pushing the international community to pay more attention to the legitimate demands and special difficulties of developing countries and to promote a fairer distribution of global development resources. It is believed that with China’s active participation and promotion, ECOSOC will play a greater role in helping Third World countries achieve economic growth, social progress, and improvements in people’s livelihoods.