By Consular General Yan Yuqing

On June 11, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Changsha, Hunan Province. The meeting adopted and released the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, sending out a strong call for developing countries to stand united and work together for justice and development in a world marked by profound changes and turbulence.

What I would especially like to share with our Nigerian friends is that, Chinese President Xi Jinping elaborated on the deep-rooted foundation and great significance of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation in the congratulatory letters, and solemnly announced a series of new measures to expand China’s cooperation with Africa:

1.China is ready to, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, or all African countries except Eswatini, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market.

2.For the least developed countries in Africa, on top of the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent 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.

3.China is ready to work with Africa to deepen the implementation of the ten partnership actions for modernization, prioritize cooperation in such key areas as green industry, e-commerce and e-payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, and enhance cooperation in security, finance and the rule of law, so as to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.

And during the meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Changsha, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed China’s readiness to sign a common development economic partnership agreement with Nigeria to fully leverage the zero-tariff policy, share development opportunities, and pursue mutual rejuvenation.

These new measures are not only a continuation of the long-standing China-Africa friendship, but also a vivid demonstration of President Xi Jinping’s policy of “sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith” in China’s relations with Africa. They are practical actions by China to sow the seeds of hope with our African brothers and sisters, and to jointly embrace the spring of development.

At a time when the world is far from peaceful, the frequent occurrence of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying has created severe difficulties for the economic and social development and the improvement of livelihood in African countries and other developing countries. China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent with the largest number of developing countries, are the backbone of the Global South. The more uncertain and volatile the international situation becomes, the more China and Africa must strengthen unity and resilience, stand firmly on the right side of history, and play a proactive role in guiding the direction of our times.

To this end, on behalf of China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed five key initiatives for promoting high-quality China-Africa cooperation:

First, upholding mutual assistance and serving as defenders of solidarity among Global South countries. 

Second, upholding openness and serving as advocates for international free trade. 

Third, upholding mutual benefit and win-win results and serving as partners in global development cooperation.

Fourth, upholding fairness and justice, and serving as defenders of an equitable international order.

Fifth, upholding exchanges and mutual learning, and serving as promoters of the diversity of world civilizations.

Last week, I concluded a fruitful visit to Abia State and Port Harcourt, which further strengthened my confidence in the China-Nigeria journey toward modernization. During the visit, I met with Governor Alex Otti and jointly attended the Together Fight Against Hunger charity donation ceremony, where the Chinese Consulate General, in collaboration with Chinese enterprises, provided support to low-income communities. I was truly gratified to see that the public welfare efforts initiated by the Consulate are reaching more places and benefiting more people across our consular district.

At the same time, I visited the University of Port Harcourt, where I met with Vice Chancellor Professor Owunari Georgewill and witnessed the launch of the Window to China project alongside many students and faculty members. I look forward to this “window of friendship, hope, and the future” helping more local communities—especially young people—learn more about China, appreciate China, and become ambassadors for China-Nigeria friendship.

One of the warmest and most touching moments of this visit was to hear students at the University of Port Harcourt performing the Chinese song You and Me. Their pronunciation was impeccable and their affection for Chinese culture was deeply moving. Just like the lyrics say, “You and me, from one world, we are family”—Through storms and sunshine over the decades, the hands of friendship between China and Nigeria have remained tightly held, writing countless heartwarming stories between our two countries.

As we move forward together into a new era, I sincerely hope that under the guidance of our comprehensive strategic partnership, China and Nigeria will continue to walk side by side and work hand in hand, writing a new chapter in China-Africa cooperation in the new era.