Letters from leaders praise work of China-Africa forum as a sign of solidarity, unity

President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso sent separate congratulatory letters on June 11 to a ministerial meeting that has gathered more than 100 senior officials from China and Africa to pledge to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and promote joint modernization.

The Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opened in Changsha, Hunan province, on June 11. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In his letter, Xi stated that FOCAC has effectively advanced the vigorous development of China-Africa relations since its establishment 25 years ago, becoming a fine example of solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations.

Amid the current international landscape marked by changes and turmoil, Xi said China is committed to providing new opportunities for the world with the new achievements of Chinese modernization and offering new impetus to Global South partners, including Africa, through its huge market.

Xi said that China and Africa have also reached consensus on launching the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-To-People Exchanges, which is expected to inject new vitality into China-Africa friendly cooperation.

Beijing is ready to negotiate and sign the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement, to implement zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, he said.

China will provide more convenience for the least-developed countries in Africa to export to China, he added.

Xi said that China is also willing to work with Africa to fully implement the 10 partnership action plans, strengthen cooperation in key areas such as green industry, e-commerce and digital payments, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, and expand collaboration in security, finance, and the rule of law to drive high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.

He emphasized that openness and cooperation are the right path for humanity, while mutual benefit and win-win outcomes reflect the shared aspiration of all people. Joint efforts by China and Africa to pursue modernization will enhance Global South solidarity and contribute to broader global peace and development, he said.

Xi called on both sides to earnestly implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

China has established strategic partnerships with all African countries that have diplomatic relations with it, and it has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

In his letter, Sassou Nguesso reaffirmed the Republic of Congo’s commitment, as FOCAC’s African co-chair, to working with China and other Global South partners to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation, promote a multipolar world free from unilateralism and protectionism, and advance inclusive globalization that benefits all nations.

Xi’s message was read out at the opening ceremony of the ministerial meeting by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who highlighted the tangible results and enormous potential of cooperation between China, the largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries.

According to Wang, over the past nine months, China’s new investments in Africa have exceeded 13.3 billion yuan ($1.85 billion), with the total amount of various forms of financial support surpassing 150 billion yuan. Bilateral trade volume reached nearly $300 billion last year, setting a new record.

Speaking on behalf of African countries at the opening ceremony, Jean-Claude Gakosso, foreign minister of the Republic of Congo, said the Africa-China strategic partnership is built on mutual respect and mutual trust and is committed to unity, collaboration, and mutual benefit.

Speaking to China Daily on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Mauritanian Minister of Economy and Finance Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh said Xi’s message reaffirms that “through continued commitment to China-Africa relations, we can work together to achieve shared goals — particularly in promoting trade, providing sustainable support for African countries, and further strengthening bilateral ties between China and Africa”.

Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Amon Murwira called Xi’s letter highly strategic.

Contact the writer at zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn