In a powerful show of unity and forward-looking partnership, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on June 11 in Changsha, Hunan Province. The gathering reaffirmed the growing strength of China-Africa relations and placed Africa at the center of a new global development narrative.
More than 100 high-ranking officials from African countries and representatives from the African Union Commission joined their Chinese counterparts to advance the vision laid out during the 2023 FOCAC Beijing Summit. The meeting was highlighted by the presence of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who read a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping, and Congo’s Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, who delivered a similar message on behalf of President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
In his address, Wang Yi underlined the depth and longevity of China-Africa solidarity, declaring that the 25-year journey of FOCAC has brought the relationship to its most productive stage yet. “Together, China and Africa can drive the development and revitalization of the Global South,” Wang said, emphasizing the importance of mutual trust, development partnerships, and multilateral cooperation.
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Africa’s modernization journey, guided by the African Union’s Agenda 2063, featured prominently in the discussions. Wang Yi emphasized that China sees Africa not just as a beneficiary of global development, but as a critical partner in shaping a more equitable world. “The 21st century belongs not only to Asia but also to Africa,” he said, echoing sentiments that Africa’s time to rise is now.
The African delegation welcomed China’s support in key development areas, particularly the “ten partnership actions” announced by President Xi last year, which span infrastructure, agriculture, digital innovation, green development, and health. These areas align closely with Africa’s own goals of industrialization, food security, and youth empowerment.
Foreign Minister Gakosso, speaking for the African bloc, praised China’s consistent and concrete contributions to the continent’s progress. He called the relationship “a strategic partnership rooted in mutual trust,” and stressed that Africa stands firm with China in resisting economic bullying, protectionism, and unfair global practices.
A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration, a policy document that reinforces solidarity among Global South nations and advocates for an international order based on fairness, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Beyond speeches, Wang Yi also held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and several other African nations. These talks aimed to fine-tune ongoing projects and deepen political and economic coordination on both bilateral and multilateral platforms.
As African nations continue to chart a path toward modernization, China’s support under FOCAC is proving to be a vital engine. With over 2.8 billion people between them, China and Africa are not only reshaping their own futures—but also playing a pivotal role in the transformation of the Global South.
