Good news vs bad news: What does the Global South care about?

In the opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," much like a historical reflection from a century ago, the current world seems to have re-entered an era of turbulence since 2020. Existing systems are dysfunctional, and new ones are yet to be established, and a constant flow of both good and bad news marks this precarious reality.

On the one hand, the global picture is quite grim. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine show no signs of abating, the Korean Peninsula situation is escalating and increasingly correlated with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the United States continues to intensify vicious strategic competition with other major countries. Western countries orchestrate "color revolutions" to maintain their grip over the Global South countries. Media outlets suggest that humanity is sleepwalking into new conflicts and even a brewing world war. We are marching towards but still far away from a multipolar world. Where we are now is like a "pluralistic purgatory".

On the other hand, there are glimmers of hope; events such as the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Leaders’ Meetings on East Asia Cooperation, the BRICS Summit in Kazan, and the China International Import Expo highlight the collective will of the Global South to pursue modernization and progress. These gatherings reflect a shared commitment of the Global South to advancing multi-polarity, equity, and sustainable development while striving for a fairer and more just international order.

The juxtaposition of good and bad news is striking, though bad news tends to dominate the headlines. Beyond the inherent nature of the media and human psychology, a more significant reason lies in the West’s dominance over global discourse and its cultural logic. Western politicians and media often approach the world with a narrow, self-serving perspective, falling into what can be called the Maslow Trap. If your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. In their view, the Global South countries are either "problems" or tools to solve their "problems", never equal partners.

Meanwhile, the good news largely comes from initiatives led by the Global South. Instead of bragging about human rights and democracy, or forcing others into bloc confrontation, the Global South countries focus on peace, stability, equality, mutual respect, cooperation and development. Through multilateral mechanisms, they aim to build a multipolar world of stability, cooperation and prosperity. Countries like China welcome others to "board its express train of development" and share in its development dividends. This pragmatic and positive approach, particularly valuable in today’s world, enjoys widespread support and welcome.

Thanks to these concerted efforts, the positive contributions of the Global South to the world are growing greater and more impactful. The rise of the Global South is no longer merely a geopolitical aspiration or a vision for reforms. It is becoming a reality. With good news coming one after another, Global South countries have added much-needed stability and positive energy into the turbulent times.