In a major development for Global South cooperation, China and South Africa have officially launched the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa, drawing widespread international attention. The announcement was made by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the 20th G20 Summit held in Johannesburg last week.
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, this initiative stems from an important consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024. The Joint Initiative represents a deepening of China-Africa strategic cooperation and a renewed effort to accelerate Africa’s long-term development goals.
International observers say the initiative reflects China’s leading role in supporting Africa’s modernization and demonstrates its commitment to strengthening the capacity of African nations for independent development. It is also expected to inject substantial momentum into the progress and revitalization of the Global South.
Guo Jiakun emphasized that the Initiative is closely aligned with the theme of the G20 Summit and Africa’s own developmental blueprint, the AU Agenda 2063. It responds directly to the needs and aspirations of the African continent.
The Initiative calls on the international community to follow six fundamental principles when working with Africa: justice and equitability, openness and win-win outcomes, people-centered development, diversity and inclusiveness, sustainable growth, and peace and security.
It also outlines a wide range of priority areas for cooperation. These include trade facilitation, green development, poverty alleviation, public health, climate change, localized development of enterprises, and boosting value addition within African industrial chains. Through these areas, the Initiative aims to support African nations in exploring modernization models that fit their national conditions while enhancing Africa’s representation and voice in international affairs.
Guo noted that this aligns with the common call of African countries and sends a strong signal in favor of multilateralism at a time of shifting global dynamics.
China reiterated that it remains a steadfast supporter and sincere partner in Africa’s modernization journey. The spokesperson stressed that advancing modernization in Africa is a shared responsibility of the global community. China also urged African countries and key development partners to actively participate in and support the Initiative, respect Africa's independent choices regarding development paths, and contribute to the continent’s pursuit of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
With this new joint initiative, China and South Africa aim to accelerate Africa’s early realization of modernization while strengthening cooperation among developing nations and reaffirming commitment to a fairer and more inclusive global governance system.
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