International experts convened in Beijing on Friday to discuss the evolving role of political parties in addressing social challenges and fostering sustainable development across countries in the Global South. The event, held as part of the 2026 Think Tank Forum on National Governance in Developing Countries, highlighted innovative approaches to social governance and the integration of government and societal efforts.

During a parallel session focused on political parties and social governance, Tariq H. Malik, professor and director of the International Center for Organization and Innovation Studies at Liaoning University, underscored the importance of institutions and narratives in governance despite the increasing role of artificial intelligence. He emphasized that while AI can offer answers, effective governance depends on frameworks that pose meaningful questions relevant to society.

Several participants pointed to China’s unique governance model as a significant example. Yang Dongping, secretary-general of the Silk Road International Think Tank Exchange Center, noted that the Communist Party of China’s leadership is deeply embedded throughout the governance process, which he described as central to the country’s social governance strategy. Li Xing, director of the European Research Center at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, praised China’s hybrid system, which harmonizes the roles of the state, market, and society. According to Li, this arrangement facilitates both long-term policy planning and the agility to implement timely adjustments, demonstrating that multiple modernization pathways exist for Global South countries based on their historical and national contexts.

The Chinese model’s emphasis on social coordination attracted attention from international experts. Marta Montoro, chairman of Catedra China of Spain, highlighted challenges faced by many Western societies, citing electoral systems that tend to prioritize short-term interests. She pointed to China’s people-centered governance approach, which fosters collaboration between public and private sectors while utilizing appropriate tools, as offering valuable insights worthy of further examination. Similarly, Joaquin Saez, a researcher at the University of Chile, remarked on the applicability of China’s integration of national objectives with public welfare for Chile’s governance landscape.

The forum brought together specialists from countries such as Algeria, Chile, Nigeria, and Spain, fostering exchanges on the participation of various stakeholders in social governance. Discussions extended to grassroots governance, where Wang Daoyong, deputy director general of the Department of Sociology and Ecological Civilization at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), emphasized the importance of strengthening social solidarity. Wang noted that establishing a Party department dedicated to social work represents a significant reform in China’s governance system. He also described efforts to support workers in emerging sectors—such as couriers, food delivery, and ride-hailing drivers—leveraging their close community ties to advance grassroots governance.

Additional themes addressed included digital governance, youth engagement, and green development. Guo Bowei, associate professor and deputy dean of the School of Peace and Development at Renmin University of China, stressed the need for greater involvement of young people in social governance, highlighting education’s role in developing three types of talent: those with national identity, professional expertise, and practical experience.

Overall, the forum underscored the complex challenges and potential solutions in social governance, emphasizing the critical role of political parties as intermediaries between governments and society in achieving inclusive and sustainable development.