China, 53 African countries, and the African Union Commission have jointly reaffirmed their dedication to multilateralism, inclusive growth, and deeper economic collaboration.
This commitment was solidified through the signing of the Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, which took place at a high-level meeting in Changsha, China.
The Declaration aimed at advancing the full implementation of outcomes from the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Ghana was represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Representatives acknowledged that “the rise and growth of the Global South represents the trend of the times and the future of development.”
They pledged to strengthen cooperation under initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
The leaders jointly condemned the rise in unilateralism, protectionism, and what they described as “economic bullying,” which continued to pose serious challenges to economic and social development in African and other developing countries.
They pointed out that these actions were creating “severe difficulties for the economic and social development and the improvement of livelihood in African countries and other developing countries.”
The Declaration also criticized the use of tariffs by certain countries to disrupt international trade.
It called 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.”
They called on the international community to prioritize the economic challenges faced by African nations and emphasized the need to increase, rather than reduce, development assistance to the continent to support poverty reduction, improve livelihoods, and accelerate development.
The African side commended China’s “courage and resolve to defend international equity and justice and safeguard international economic and trade order.”
In return, China praised African countries for their “commitment to the basic principles of sovereignty, equality and justice and to upholding a common position in the face of external pressure.”
The parties emphasized that “unilateral concession cannot earn mutual respect” and that any deal of compromise should not come “at the expense of the interests of other countries.”
In reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism, the leaders said the international community must uphold “true multilateralism in accordance with the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit.”
They further stressed the need to jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism and to defend both the UN-centered international system and the WTO-centered multilateral trading system.
The Declaration said both sides would “join hands in cementing the foundation of sovereign equality,” stressing that all countries, regardless of size or strength, should be treated as equal members of the global community.
They pledged to “resolutely uphold international justice and order” and to “advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world.”
The leaders also committed to promoting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and to implementing “the ten partnership actions for modernization,” which were launched during the Beijing FOCAC Summit.
These efforts, they said, were part of a broader push to “build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era” and to set an example of “solidarity, cooperation, independence and self-reliance” within the Global South.
China announced it was prepared to expand its zero-tariff policy to cover “100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China.”
The statement added that “China is ready to, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development,” support the entry of more quality African products into the Chinese market.
Eswatini, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with China, was the only country excluded from this arrangement.
In addition, China promised new measures for Africa’s least developed countries, including improvements in market access, inspection and quarantine systems, and customs clearance.
It also pledged to boost skills training and expand the promotion of African quality products.
Future cooperation, according to the Declaration, will focus on green industry, e-commerce and e-payment platforms, artificial intelligence, science and technology, as well as enhanced collaboration in security, finance, and the rule of law.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was hailed in the Declaration as “a fine example of solidarity and cooperation of the Global South.”
Source: GNA
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