China's development offers pathways to shared growth, legislators say

China's high-quality development can create wider opportunities for other countries, but cooperation must also translate to jobs, stronger industries and better lives for their people, legislators said at a forum held in Tianjin on Tuesday.

The 2026 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges, held under the theme "Sharing High-quality Growth for a Sustainable Future", brought together more than 300 participants, including 66 foreign legislators and representatives from 52 countries, regions and international organizations across five continents.

Speakers discussed how countries could learn from one another's development experience and turn opportunities for cooperation into lasting benefits.

Moses Wetang'ula, speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, praised China's achievements in infrastructure, technological innovation, industrialization, poverty alleviation and green energy transition. He said they demonstrated the value of long-term planning, investment in people and innovation-driven development.

For Kenya and other developing countries, China's experience offers opportunities for learning, technology transfer and mutually beneficial cooperation tailored to their own development priorities, he said.

Wetang'ula described Kenya-China cooperation as an example of South-South cooperation, showing how countries can share knowledge, mobilize resources and build on one another's strengths to pursue common goals. No country can pursue development in isolation, he said, calling for stronger partnerships and exchanges of practical experience to open new paths to shared prosperity.

He cited Chinese participation in Kenya's railway, expressway and port projects, as well as vocational training cooperation. Looking ahead, he said trade and investment should do more to support local production, add value to Kenyan products and create jobs.

Peng Qinghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said China would continue to advance technological innovation, upgrade its industries, expand high-level opening-up and pursue a green transition during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period. China's development blueprint also presents opportunities for cooperation with the rest of the world, he said.

Peng called for closer exchanges among legislatures on development strategies and governance rules. He also urged cooperation on emerging technologies, trade and green development so that the gains of growth would reach more people.

Edin Djerlek, deputy speaker of Serbia's National Assembly, highlighted that cooperation between Serbia and China now spans trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, education and culture. The bilateral free trade agreement has opened new opportunities for both economies, he said.

The task, Djerlek said, is to turn those opportunities into more jobs, stronger businesses, wider exchanges of knowledge and better prospects for future generations. Parliamentary exchanges can help build the trust and understanding needed to sustain that cooperation, he added.

Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said the forum provided a platform for legislators to discuss practical responses to development challenges and strengthen cooperation across countries.

He encouraged exchanges on trade and investment, innovation governance and green development. By sharing legislative experience and improving policy coordination, lawmakers could help turn the understanding reached at the forum into cooperation that benefits their people, he said.

Bartolome Abdala, provisional president of Argentina's Senate, said parliamentary diplomacy could help countries build consensus and deepen cooperation amid a complex international environment. As representatives of the public, legislators have a responsibility to strengthen the institutions and channels that allow such cooperation to continue, he said.

Dialogue across cultures is especially important because it involves different histories, traditions and beliefs, Abdala said. He expressed hope that the forum would strengthen trust, encourage countries to learn from one another's successes and help turn international consensus into development and well-being for their societies.

Ji Yuxuan contributed to this story.