Wang Yi meets African counterparts at FOCAC follow-up meeting, vows deeper cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with some foreign ministers of the participating countries of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha City, central China's Hunan Province, on Wednesday.

During his meeting with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Wang noted that Ghana was one of the first African countries to establish diplomatic relations with China.

China is willing to work with Ghana to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual support, implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen practical cooperation across various fields, Wang added.

Noting China had announced new measures for cooperation with Africa, such as zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines for African countries, Wang said China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with Ghana to advance the cause of China-Africa friendship, uphold multilateralism against unilateralism, and promote open cooperation over "national priority" policies.

Ablakwa said China has become Ghana's largest trading partner and expressed eagerness to deepen cooperation with China in various fields.

When meeting with Djibouti's Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Wang said China is willing to work with Djibouti to develop an economic prosperity belt along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, helping Djibouti become a regional trade and logistics hub.

Omar congratulated China on the successful meeting and reiterated Djibouti's firm support for multilateralism and opposition to unilateralism, pledging to strengthen coordination with China in addressing global challenges.

When meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Wang said China is willing to consolidate political trust with South Africa and firmly support each other.

The Chinese foreign minister added that China supports South Africa in fulfilling its role as the G20 chair and stands ready to work together to uphold their legitimate rights, national dignity and the common interests of developing countries.

Lamola congratulated China on the success of the meeting and highly appreciated China's zero-tariff policy for African products. He expressed South Africa's desire to strengthen cooperation with China in fields like trade, energy, human resources training, and HIV/AIDS prevention and thanked China for its support in South Africa's G20 presidency.

When meeting with his counterpart of the Republic of the Congo, Jean-Claude Gakosso, Wang said that China remains firmly committed to solidarity and shared development with Africa.

China will further expand unilateral market access for Africa, boost high-quality practical cooperation and ensure more tangible benefits for African people, Wang said.

The Chinese foreign minister expressed China's willingness to continue supporting the Republic of the Congo in safeguarding its core interests, upgrading economic and trade cooperation, accelerating the implementation of FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes, and enhancing exchanges on governance to enrich the strategic partnership.

Gakosso, as the African co-chair of FOCAC, praised the close collaboration between China and Africa in advancing Beijing Summit outcomes. He expressed confidence in the success of the Coordinators' Meeting and highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative as a pathway for Africa to break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-reliant development.

Gakosso reaffirmed the Republic of the Congo's adherence to the one-China principle and solidarity with China against unilateral tariffs and sanctions. He emphasized that the unity of the Global South is an invincible force in defending multilateralism and fair trade rules.