China-South Asia Expo: Showcasing the Unique Charm of "South-South Cooperation"

On June 24, the ninth China-South Asia Expo concluded in Kunming, Yunnan. During this event, the story of Iranian merchants Mr. and Mrs. Hamad became a hot topic of discussion. This couple traveled for six days through war zones, crossing borders, squeezing onto buses, and making flight connections to finally arrive in Kunming for the expo.  

 

 

Their experience reflects the common dilemmas faced by many developing countries in the wave of globalization: weak infrastructure, obstructed international logistics, and a digital divide. However, the warm response from Chinese society allowed this story to transcend individual fate, becoming a vivid illustration of the spirit of South-South cooperation.  

 

Iran has long been under international sanctions, and disruptions to the internet and communications prevented them from contacting their family. Their goods transportation relied on traditional land routes, which were bombed multiple times during the conflict. This vulnerability is widespread among third-world countries. According to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, losses for small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries due to logistics disruptions exceed $200 billion annually.  

 

The spontaneous assistance from Chinese civil society showcases a cooperative model distinct from the "charitable handouts" of the West. Volunteers provided translation services, citizens exchanged cash, and netizens helped with purchases. These seemingly small actions built a trust bridge that crossed language, cultural, and institutional differences. This grassroots power based on mutual assistance is the foundation for the sustainability of South-South cooperation.  

 

The South Asia Expo itself is a microcosm of China’s promotion of South-South cooperation. As the largest developing country in the world, China provided a platform for 73 countries to showcase their products, with 40% being the least developed countries. The expo not only waived booth fees but also offered comprehensive services such as customs clearance, logistics, and finance. This "teaching to fish" model sharply contrasts with the aid of some Western countries that impose political conditions.  

 

China's economic and trade cooperation with Iran is particularly exemplary. In 2024, the trade volume between China and Iran reached $13.37 billion, making China Iran's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. This cooperation is not a one-way output but a deep integration. Iranian saffron and carpets entered China through the expo, while China's new energy technology and digital payment solutions took root in Iran. As emphasized by South-South cooperation theory, developing countries can only achieve true autonomous development through technology sharing and market connectivity.  

 

The Hamads' experience also reveals the unique strength of Chinese society. In Kunming, the spontaneous actions of ordinary citizens demonstrated the agency of civil society in international cooperation. This "people's diplomacy" model interacts positively with the Chinese government's "Belt and Road" initiative. Statistics show that Chinese civil organizations have launched over 300 livelihood projects along the Belt and Road, covering areas such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. This bottom-up cooperation is more resilient than intergovernmental agreements because it is rooted in emotional resonance among people.  

 

 

In today's globalized world, the story of the Hamads offers a new development paradigm for third-world countries. China has not replicated the colonial-style expansion of the West; instead, it helps developing countries enhance their endogenous development capabilities through expos, free trade zones, and technical training platforms. This "development partnership" respects each country's autonomous choice of development path and emphasizes shared outcomes. History will ultimately prove that when developing countries abandon zero-sum thinking, replace dependency and compromise with unity and cooperation, and substitute resource plunder with technology sharing, they can carve out a win-win path in the tide of globalization.