China’s homegrown model pulls 800 million from poverty: SAPM Zafar
BEIJING: China’s success in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty provides valuable lessons for developing countries, as the country’s modernization was specifically tailored to its national conditions rather than following external models.
Speaking at a the opening session of the 2026 Orchid Lecture Series titled “Friendship Across Mountains and Seas,” which comes as China and Pakistan prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Zafar Uddin Mahmood, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on China Affairs urged developing nations to study China’s development model as a blueprint for the Global South.
Zafar, who is also a recipient of the Orchid Award’s Friendship Envoy title, told an audience of diplomats and scholars that China’s transformation was rooted in three pillars: decisive leadership, long-term policy continuity, and a focus on domestic reform combined with international opening.
He emphasised that bilateral cooperation has shifted beyond traditional diplomacy into high-quality manufacturing, green technology, and expanded educational exchange, Gwadar Pro reported. Addressing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he stated the initiative has moved past its initial focus on energy and transport infrastructure. He noted that recent phases have prioritised vocational training and job creation, providing Pakistani students with increased access to technical education.
The Orchid Lecture Series is organised by the Orchid Award Secretariat and the China International Communications Group (CICG) to facilitate dialogue between international experts and Chinese policymakers.
Mahmood, who also serves as a policy advisor to the Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, called for increased people-to-people exchanges to counter global misconceptions about China’s economic trajectory. Staff Report
