Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with several African foreign ministers to strengthen China-Africa ties during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) follow-up meeting held in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province.
In discussions with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Wang Yi emphasized the longstanding friendship between China and Ghana, one of the first African nations to establish diplomatic relations with China. He expressed China’s commitment to deepen practical cooperation and implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit across various fields.
Ablakwa noted that China has become Ghana’s largest trading partner and expressed eagerness to expand collaboration in multiple sectors.
Meeting with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Wang Yi highlighted plans to develop an economic prosperity belt along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, aiming to help Djibouti become a regional trade and logistics hub.
Omar reaffirmed Djibouti’s support for multilateralism and pledged to strengthen coordination with China in addressing global challenges.
During talks with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Wang Yi underscored the importance of consolidating political trust and mutual support. He expressed China’s support for South Africa’s role as the G20 chair and willingness to work together to uphold the legitimate rights and common interests of developing countries.
Lamola appreciated China’s zero-tariff policy for African products and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation in trade, energy, human resources, and health sectors.
In a meeting with Jean-Claude Gakosso, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo, Wang Yi affirmed China’s commitment to solidarity and shared development with Africa. He discussed plans to expand market access, boost practical cooperation, and enrich the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Gakosso, as the African co-chair of FOCAC, praised the collaboration between China and Africa in advancing the Beijing Summit outcomes. He highlighted initiatives like the Belt and Road as pathways for Africa to achieve self-reliant development and emphasized the unity of the Global South in defending multilateralism and fair trade rules.
