The People’s Republic of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission have called for solidarity among all countries, especially those in the Global South, to cooperate in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Guided by the consensus reached by their different country’s leaders during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the representatives said the partnership is necessary to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the global development, security and civilisation initiatives.
Noting that China and Africa are both important members of, and staunch forces in the Global South, they said the rise and growth of the Global South represents the trend of the times and the future of development.
According to them, the Changsha gathering will advance the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a shared future for the new era.
The shared future for the new era initiative, they stated, is significant in safeguarding solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and defending multilateralism.
According to the parties, frequent unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying has created severe difficulties for economic and social development, as well as the improvement of livelihood in African countries and other developing countries.
The declaration emphasised that this is a pressing challenge that must be addressed by members of the Global South, including China and African countries.
“Given that certain countries’ attempt to disrupt the existing international economic and trade order by tariffs undermines the common good of the international community, we call on all countries, the United States in particular, to return to the right track of resolving trade disputes through consultation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit, the declaration stated.
It further urged the international community to prioritise attention to African countries’ economic difficulties and development challenges, stating that development assistance to African countries should be effectively increased to provide continued support to help them improve livelihoods, reduce poverty and boost economic and social development.
Meanwhile, the African side commended China’s courage and resolve to defend international equity and justice and safeguard international economic and trade order. On its part, China commended African countries’ commitment to the basic principles of sovereignty, equality and justice, and for upholding a common position in the face of external pressure.
Argued that unilateral concession cannot earn mutual respect, and opposing any party reaching a compromise at the expense of the interests of other countries.
The representatives urged the international community to uphold true multilateralism based on extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, jointly opposed all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the United Nations-centered international system.
It further called on the international community to defend the World Trade Organisation-centered multilateral trading system, and make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, mutually beneficial and balanced to foster better trade, investment and financing environment for the Global South.
The China-Africa cooperation resolved to join hands in cementing the foundation of sovereign equality, maintaining that all countries, regardless of size or strength, are equal members of the international community, and resolutely upholding international justice and order.
It will further continue to safeguard each other’s legitimate rights and interests, stand side by side mutual understanding and support amid chaos and changes, stabilise the uncertain world with the certainty of the China-Africa relationship, establish a benchmark for sincere friendship and equality, and advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world.
“We will unite to support and put into practice the vision of openness, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and stay committed to the six-point proposition on the joint endeavor to advance modernisation,” the declaration added.
It will further “make solid progress in implementing the 10 partnership actions for modernisation, and support the implementation of the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
According to the declaration, China is ready, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, to expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent tariff lines to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, or all African countries except Eswatini, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market.
For the least developed countries in Africa, it added that beside the zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent tariff lines announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, China will roll out measures on market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and technical training, and expand the promotion of quality products.
China said it is ready to work with Africa to deepen the implementation of the ten partnership actions, prioritise cooperation in such key areas as green industry, e-commerce and e-payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence. It will further enhance cooperation in security, finance and the rule of law to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.
