Leaders from China and 53 African countries gathered in Changsha on Wednesday to push forward the implementation of outcomes from the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The meeting aimed to strengthen solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa, focusing on modernization and building a shared future.
At the opening ceremony, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Jean-Claude Gakosso, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo, read out congratulatory letters from their heads of state. President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of China-Africa unity and announced important measures for further cooperation with Africa.
Over the past 25 years, FOCAC has led China-Africa relations to achieve remarkable growth, entering the best period in history. Both sides have made significant progress in implementing the 10 partnership actions for modernization announced at last year’s Beijing Summit.
“China and Africa are emerging as pivotal forces of the Global South,” Wang Yi stated. “Faced with an international situation marked by changes and turmoil, we should uphold solidarity and self-reliance more than ever.” He called for both sides to respond to global uncertainties with a stable and resilient China-Africa relationship.
Wang Yi highlighted the need to preserve Global South solidarity, champion international free trade, support global development cooperation, defend a just international order, and promote cultural diversity. He expressed confidence that with over 2.8 billion people working together, China and Africa will achieve significant progress on the path to modernization.
On behalf of African countries, Jean-Claude Gakosso thanked China for its support in their development. He welcomed the 10 partnership actions for modernization and expressed support for the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. “African countries are willing to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit to help our people realize their aspiration for a better life,” he said.
Gakosso also stated that Africa opposes the abuse of tariffs and unilateral sanctions, standing with China to jointly address global challenges. The meeting concluded with the issuance of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South.
