By Gerson David

China has pledged an additional US$10 million to the United Nations Women over the next five years, stressing its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive global development.

Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping announced in Windhoek on Wednesday. 

Weiping said the pledge forms part of a broader US$100 million (equivalent to approximately N$1,722,860,000.00) allocation from China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, dedicated to implementing projects that support women and girls worldwide.

He explained that the initiative, developed in collaboration with international organizations, will launch 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood programmes prioritizing women and girls as key beneficiaries. The programmes aim to enhance economic self-reliance, education, and social inclusion among women in developing countries.

In addition, the initiative will invite 50,000 women to China for exchange and training programmes while also establishing a Global Center for Women’s Capacity Building. 

The center will serve as a hub for leadership training, capacity-building, and development cooperation, equipping more women with the skills to contribute to national and international progress.

“We believe this important meeting on women has brought the world together in Beijing to further consolidate consensus and inject new momentum into the continued development of the global cause of women,” said Weiping.

He was referring to the Global Leaders’ Meeting on women recently held in Beijing, which coincided with the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from 20–23 October. The sessions, he noted, commended China’s achievements over the past five years and laid out a strategic development blueprint for the next phase.

Weiping added that China’s goal is to raise its per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to between US$25,000 (N$42,598.50)and US$35,000 (N$606,786.08, with a total GDP expected to exceed US$30 trillion (approximately N$513 trillion), a development he said would create broader opportunities for global partners.

The ambassador also highlighted the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” meeting held in Tianjin in September. The initiative follows China’s earlier proposals, the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, as part of its ongoing contribution to global governance.

He said the GGI is founded on five principles: sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and a focus on practical action.

“By proposing the GGI, China does not seek to overturn the existing international order but to reform and improve the international system. We aim to promote greater democracy in international relations and safeguard the interests of the Global South.”

Weiping reaffirmed the strong ties between China and Namibia, saying the partnership continues to be guided by mutual respect, development cooperation, and shared aspirations for global progress.