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The People’s Republic of China has reiterated its commitment to supporting Africa’s development, further strengthening the relationship between the two regions.
This promise was made during the recently concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, held in Beijing from September 4th to 6th, 2024.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Accra, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, emphasized that China prioritizes diplomacy with Africa, aiming to continually enhance unity and cooperation.
He stated that regardless of changes in the global landscape, China will maintain its principles of sincerity, concrete results, and mutual respect in its policies towards Africa.
He also stressed that China would continue to promote shared benefits in its collaboration with the continent.
Ambassador Tong underscored two key declarations made at the summit, which celebrated the progress of China-Africa relations since FOCAC’s inception in 2000.
These declarations were the ‘Beijing Declaration of Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era’ and the ‘Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027).’
The ambassador also noted the significant increase in trade between China and Africa, which grew from $10.5 billion in 2000 to $282.1 billion in 2023.
“We will strengthen mutual support and cooperation, promote modernization, and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future,” H.E. Tong stated.
China’s investment in Africa, he explained, has expanded from less than $500 million in 2000 to over $40 billion today.
Over the years, China and Africa have jointly constructed and upgraded nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, 10,000 kilometers of railways, 1,000 bridges, and nearly 100 ports.
Vibrant exchanges between the two regions have also flourished in areas such as tourism, culture, youth, and media, fostering even stronger bonds between the people of China and Africa.
Attached is the full speech by the Chinese Ambassador, HE. TONG Defa
Remarks by H.E. TONG Defa, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, at the Briefing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.（12th September, 2024）
Dear friends from the media, the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Beijing from 4th to 6th September. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. Leaders from all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China, including H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, attended the meeting. The Secretary-General of the United Nations and representatives of more than 30 international and African regional organizations also attended.
This is China’s most important diplomatic event this year, and also the largest-scale event hosted by China and attended by the largest number of foreign leaders in recent years. It is yet another friendly gathering of the big China-Africa family in Beijing after six years to celebrate friendship and chart the course for the future, which is of great significance and influence. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the achievements of China-Africa cooperation in recent years, the new outcomes of this Forum summit and the outcomes of China-Ghana cooperation.
Achievements of China-Africa Cooperation in Recent Years
As a Chinese saying goes: “A log does not make a mansion, and a river cannot fill the ocean.” The unbreakable friendship and fraternity between China and Africa is rooted in the decades of side-by-side struggle against imperialism, colonialism and hegemony, and in our joint efforts in the path towards development and modernization.
In October 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution 2758, which expelled the representatives of the Taiwan authorities and restored the seat and all the lawful rights of the government of the People’s Republic of China. It settled once and for all the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN. Former President John Kufuor, then Deputy Foreign Minister of Ghana, cast the valuable vote of support on behalf of the Ghanaian Government. Chairman Mao Zedong once said, it was our fellow developing countries that “carried” the PRC into the UN. The word “carry” aptly captures the profound friendship between China and other developing countries. It is a historical fact and an international consensus that Taiwan belongs to China. The one-China principle is an integral part of the basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese government has expressed its appreciation to the international community for widely pursuing the one-China principle.
Strengthening unity and cooperation with African countries is the constant priority of China’s diplomacy. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will continue to observe the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith which guide our policy toward Africa, and continue to pursue the greater good and shared interests in our cooperation with Africa. We will strengthen mutual support and friendly cooperation, jointly promote modernization, and jointly build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. It is against this background that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was born in 2000. Over the past 24 years, China-Africa high-level exchanges have grown increasingly closer. Our practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Trade volume has increased from $10.5 billion in 2000 to $282.1 billion in 2023, a nearly 26-fold increase. China’s stock of investment in Africa has grown from less than $500 million in 2000 to over $40 billion today. Over the years, we have jointly built and upgraded nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges and nearly 100 ports. China and Africa have experienced vibrant exchanges in various fields including tourism, culture, youth and media. The popular support for friendship between the two sides has grown stronger.
New Outcomes of the FOCAC Summit
Under the theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future” , the Summit took stock of the journey of China-Africa friendship, commended the progress made in implementing the outcomes of FOCAC, and reached a clear political consensus on strengthening cooperation across the board. Two important documents were adopted unanimously, namely the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027). All parties agree that the Summit is a full success with main outcomes in the following four aspects.
First, China has entered into strategic partnerships with all African countries having diplomatic ties with China. During the Summit, President Xi Jinping held bilateral meetings with all heads of state and important heads of government and had in-depth communication on major strategic issues. China established or elevated its strategic partnerships with a total of 30 countries. China and 53 African strategic partners, standing shoulder to shoulder, will play a greater role in improving the well-being of the Chinese and African people, and safeguarding world peace and stability.
Second, the characterization of the overall China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. Just as President Xi Jinping pointed out, thanks to nearly 70 years of concerted efforts, the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history. From a new type of partnership to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, the China-Africa relationship has kept reaching new heights, opening a new chapter in the cause of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Third, a six-point proposition on China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernization was articulated. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Africa should advance modernization that is just and equitable, that is open and win-win, that puts the people first, that features diversity and inclusiveness, that is eco-friendly, and that is underpinned by peace and security. This proposition is widely accepted by African leaders, and has become a political consensus between China and Africa. It marks the two sides’ deepening understanding of the rules governing modernization, and will have a significant and far-reaching impact on spearheading faster modernization of the Global South and advancing global modernization.
Fourth, a ten partnership actions was drawn up for China-Africa cooperation going forward. The two sides adopted a Beijing Declaration and Action Plan for strengthening China-Africa cooperation in the next three years. President Xi Jinping announced ten partnership actions that China would take with Africa to advance modernization in the next three years:
First, the Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations, including building a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and inviting 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges.
Second, the Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity, including voluntarily and unilaterally opening China’s market wider and giving all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, which will help turn China’s big market into Africa’s big opportunity.
Third, the Partnership Action for Industrial Chain Cooperation, including pushing forward the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, launching an “African SMEs empowerment program”, and jointly building a digital technology cooperation center.
Fourth, the Partnership Action for Connectivity, including putting in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development for the benefit of trans-regional development in Africa.
Fifth, the Partnership Action for Development Cooperation, including implementing 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects to deliver more fruits of development to African people.
Sixth, the Partnership Action for Health, including establishing joint medical centers, sending 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and supporting the development of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seventh, the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, including providing Africa with emergency food assistance, building standardized agriculture demonstration areas, and creating at least one million jobs for Africa.
Eighth, the Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges, including implementing the Future of Africa-Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, providing 60,000 training opportunities, and designating 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Ninth, the Partnership Action for Green Development, including launching 30 clean energy projects in Africa, establishing together 30 joint laboratories, and collaborating on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration.
Tenth, the Partnership Action for Common Security, including making fine example of GSI cooperation and providing training for military personnel and police and law enforcement officers.
To implement the ten partnership actions, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese government will provide RMB 360 billion yuan (50.6 billion US dollars) of financial support through the next three years. This breaks down into RMB 210 billion yuan (29.5 billion US dollars) of credit line, RMB 80 billion yuan (11.3 billion US dollars) of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB 70 billion yuan (9.8 billion US dollars) of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.
During the Summit, the two sides also had strategic communication on the international situation and global governance. The two sides agreed to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests, defend the common interests of developing countries, and promote international fairness and justice. The two sides agreed to follow true multilateralism, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. The two sides agreed to reject “small yard, high fence,” oppose discrimination and prejudice, redress historical injustices, and ensure that all will benefit from the modernization process.
In summary, the Summit has sent a powerful message of China and Africa pursuing development together, and demonstrated the Global South’s unwavering confidence in unity and cooperation. The FOCAC “summit week” is a “Global South moment,” a highlight of the joint pursuit of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Bilateral Results during the Summit
Druing his visit to China, H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had a busy schedule with fruitful results. On 4th September, President Akufo-Addo attended the welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People. On the afternoon of 5th September, President Akufo-Addo met with President Xi Jinping. The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of China-Ghana relations to a strategic partnership. This is the most important political outcome of the visit.
Also on the same day, President Akufo-Addo attended the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Summit, attended a high-level meeting on industrialization and agricultural modernization co-chaired by Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and met with Li Xi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
On the morning of 6th September, President Akufo-Addo attended the opening ceremony of the eighth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs where Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech. From 6th to 7th, President Akufo-Addo visited the city of Shenzhen, addressed the 2024 China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation Forum and the China-Ghana Business Forum, and met the Mayor of Shenzhen Mr. Qin Weizhong, marking a successful end for the visit to China.
During the meeting, President Xi Jinping noted that Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 64 years ago, the friendship between the two countries has remained strong and enduring, regardless of changes in the international landscape. China is ready to carry forward the deep friendship forged by the elder generation of the leaders of the two countries with Ghana to constantly enhance political mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields and be good friends who trust each other, good partners for common development, and good brothers with close cooperation. China is ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Ghana and continue providing assistance to the best of its ability to Ghana in developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood. China is ready to expand cooperation with Ghana in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, energy, mineral resources and infrastructure, and hopes that Ghana will continue to offer relevant support and convenience to Chinese enterprises and citizens. China supports Ghana in its work as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term and is ready to enhance strategic coordination with Ghana on international and regional issues.
H.E. Xi Jinping stressed that the FOCAC Beijing Summit summarizes the historical experience of China-Africa friendship, clarifies the direction and path for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization and leads the way for the Global South. China is ready to work with Ghana to jointly follow through on the various results of the Summit.
H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said that it is a pleasure to come to China to attend the FOCAC Beijing Summit and he wishes the summit a complete success. Ghana was one of the first batch of African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC. China has been Ghana’s most trustworthy friend and partner for over 60 years. Ghana highly cherishes its friendship with China, firmly pursues the one-China policy and supports China’s stance on human rights and others. He thanked China for its long-term support to Ghana, saying that the investment and cooperation of Chinese enterprises has greatly promoted Ghana’s economic and social development. Ghana hopes to further expand cooperation in electricity, mineral resources, new energy and other fields and is willing to provide convenience for Chinese enterprises. He thanked President Xi Jinping for proposing at the opening ceremony of the summit in the morning the ten partnership actions for Africa and China to jointly advance modernization. Some of the proposals are very forward-looking. Ghana is ready to work actively with China to implement these actions and remain steadfast as good friends and partners.
Dear friends, Just as an Akan proverbs says: “Baanu so a emmia”. When two carry, it does not hurt. Cooperation is always better than working alone. China is the largest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. In a world undergoing major changes unseen in a century, China and Africa need to stay united more than ever. The FOCAC Summit paints a bright future for China-Africa cooperation. I believe that under the joint leadership of Chinese and African leaders, with the solidarity and cooperation among 2.8 billion Chinese and African people, we will give fresh impetus to Global South cooperation and break new ground for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Finally, I would like to thank all my friends from the media for your constant support for the work of the Embassy. It is your hard work that enables the positivity of China-Africa and China-Ghana friendship to reach the local people. I hope you will continue to support and report the development of China-Africa relations.
Thank you all!
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By: www.frontpageghana.com
