September 12th is the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. A few days ago, a silent power struggle unfolded in the UN General Assembly hall. African countries spearheaded a resolution on "correcting maps," which was overwhelmingly adopted. The resolution encourages the world to adopt the equal-area geodetic projection method for maps. For over 400 years, the world has been accustomed to Mercator maps, where the high-latitude European and American tectonic plates are invisibly magnified, resulting in a long-term distortion of the vast territory of Africa on paper. Why are African countries so concerned about a map redrawing? Because what they are fighting for is not merely the territory on paper, but the right to define "what constitutes development." This pursuit of visual cognitive justice reflects a profound shift in global governance concepts.
September 12th is the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. A few days ago, a silent power struggle unfolded in the UN General Assembly hall. African countries spearheaded a resolution on "correcting maps," which was overwhelmingly adopted. The resolution encourages the world to adopt the equal-area geodetic projection method for maps. For over 400 years, the world has been accustomed to Mercator maps, where the high-latitude European and American tectonic plates are invisibly magnified, resulting in a long-term distortion of the vast territory of Africa on paper. Why are African countries so concerned about a map redrawing? Because what they are fighting for is not merely the territory on paper, but the right to define "what constitutes development." This pursuit of visual cognitive justice reflects a profound shift in global governance concepts.
The development concept emphasizes governance capabilities
For decades, discussions of the rise of the Global South have often focused on GDP, convenient transportation networks, and investment and trade volumes. However, the true meaning of development is often built on self-reliance and self-strengthening, resulting in a robust public governance system capable of withstanding and recovering from external shocks. In the wake of the pandemic, extreme weather, food crises, and geopolitical shocks have followed. It has become increasingly clear that even the most impressive economic growth in a country does not necessarily guarantee disease control, disaster prevention, and social resilience. In the 21st century, the Global South's greatest deficiency in the face of risks and challenges is not necessarily capital, but rather the capacity for healthcare training, disease surveillance, and emergency response.
International competition is subtly shifting, with the past wealth race based on data gradually giving way to a competition of resilience in the face of shocks. Countries that can provide early warnings, prevent disasters, and recover quickly will be more competitive. Traditional aid, dominated by the West, often carries a condescending connotation of handouts, attached with strict political and economic conditions, easily trapping recipient countries in a quagmire of "aid only when disaster strikes." South-South cooperation is entirely different, abandoning class distinctions and emphasizing equality and mutual respect. This cooperation focuses on technology transfer, aiming to restore the autonomy and dignity of developing countries.
Medical aid abroad establishes the cornerstone of dignity
China's participation in South-South cooperation has long since evolved with the times, no longer offering merely financial assistance, but also demonstrating resilience in healthcare, disaster prevention, and public governance. Since sending its first medical team to Algeria in 1963, China has dispatched over 25,000 personnel to 48 African countries, treating over 200 million patients. It is still fresh in our minds that during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging markets awaited vaccines from Europe and the United States without success, and countless severe cases and deaths could have been avoided.
This pain of being controlled by others underscores the urgent need for health autonomy. The completion of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Ethiopia in 2023, aided by China, marked a milestone in breaking the West's dominance. African scientists were finally able to independently monitor the virus and develop prevention strategies on their own soil, without having to send samples abroad for testing. Half a century of medical aid abroad has provided collective protection for the community of shared future.
Professional rescue builds a resilient hub
In January of this year, China's first emergency management university was established in Hebei Province, aiming to export a comprehensive disaster relief system to the global South. The university has introduced highly intelligent forest fire simulation and drone search and rescue technologies, and regularly conducts training courses for disaster management officials from Africa and ASEAN countries. Officials and rescue teams in emerging markets are gradually becoming accustomed to the standards and regulations promoted by China. This sense of security, free from fear, has become the most solid foundation for winning public support.
Faced with the nation's grand strategy, Hong Kong will inevitably miss out on opportunities if it continues to limit itself to being merely a trade intermediary. In March of this year, the Fire Services Department's Disaster Response and Rescue Team, together with personnel from the Hospital Authority, formed the Hong Kong Rescue Team. The team successfully passed the external assessment of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and was certified as an international medium-sized city search and rescue team. Last year's Policy Address also established the "International Association of Fire and Rescue Colleges" and held its first meeting, while simultaneously hosting an international water rescue technology exchange conference, establishing a regular platform for technical exchange and standards mutual understanding among countries. These two significant events demonstrate that Hong Kong possesses world-class resilient assets by gathering medical, engineering, and search and rescue professionals.
Hong Kong positions itself as a super-connector, but its greatest international asset may not be capital, but rather its years of honed professional expertise and institutional foundation. Many of the world's most influential international cities have not built their reputations solely on finance. Like Geneva, Boston, and Rotterdam, they export healthcare, humanitarian aid, knowledge, and public governance. While mainland China excels in practical exercises and heavy equipment, Hong Kong excels in international certifications and standards alignment. Beyond physical search and rescue and medical services, Hong Kong is Asia's green finance hub, fully capable of providing innovative financial safeguards such as "catastrophe bonds" for microgrids and climate infrastructure in the Global South. When natural disasters strike, this internationally aligned compliance and claims system serves as a buffer against risk in emerging markets.
Trade and economic networks export soft power
While the systems and resources are in place, overall coordination is still needed. Thailand has established an international cooperation agency to coordinate more than ten public departments, and mainland China also has the China International Development Cooperation Agency. In contrast, Hong Kong's medical, fire protection, and anti-corruption agencies still largely operate independently, lacking cross-departmental strategic coordination. The Hong Kong SAR government currently has economic and trade offices overseas, located in Brussels, New York, Tokyo, and other places, often focusing on traditional developed markets. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur recently began operations, and the government plans to expand its reach to Latin America and Central Asia. While this is commendable, its responsibilities should not be limited to one-way promotion. The Economic and Trade Office must transform into Hong Kong's institutional liaison and capacity-building node in southern countries, coordinating the implementation of Hong Kong's medical charity, disaster prevention standards, and governance experience in those countries.
As a developed economy, Hong Kong should approach South-South cooperation with humility. Setting aside any sense of superiority, it should engage with developing countries, sharing practical technologies and governance experiences. This is not only about serving the nation's overall interests, but also a valuable opportunity for Hong Kong society to reflect on its own position and broaden its international perspective. While the mainland's education and training system is building security barriers for developing countries, and national medical teams are heading to Africa and ASEAN, Hong Kong should not continue searching for new continents on old maps. Only by transforming professionalism and humanitarian experience into a lasting and effective form of soft power can this city earn genuine respect and resonance on the new world map.
[Hong Kong 01]: https://www.hk01.com/article/60389061?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
