On January 11, 2023 local time, when meeting the press with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat, Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that this is the 10th year since President Xi Jinping put forth, in 2013, the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and of pursuing the greater good and shared interests for China’s relations with Africa. Over the past decade, with the joint guidance and commitment of Chinese and African leaders, China-Africa relations have made historic achievements that impressed the whole world, and entered a new era of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

Qin Gang said, as the new year begins, everything takes on a new look. China will embark on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects, and the African Union (AU) and African countries will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Africa to speed up the delivery of the outcomes of the eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference and promote further development of Belt and Road cooperation. Qin Gang made a four-point proposal in this regard:

First, intensify in-person interactions and connectivity of ideas between China and Africa. China will continue to follow the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, expand exchange and cooperation with Africa in various fields and at all levels. China supports South Africa in assuming the rotating chairmanship of BRICS, and supports Uganda in hosting the Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement. China is ready to further deepen exchanges and mutual learning on state governance and development experience with Africa, and firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, so as to lay a solid foundation for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

Second, further deepen friendly relations between China and the AU. China is ready to provide new opportunities for Africa with Chinese modernization and continue to support the AU in leading African countries to follow the development paths suited to their national conditions. China is ready to forge strong synergy between development strategies with African countries and the AUC to help advance African integration. China is the first country to support the AU in joining the G20, and supports a greater role of the AU and African countries in the global governance system.

Third, do more to upgrade and elevate China-Africa cooperation. The two sides need to speed up the delivery of the outcomes of the eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference, continue to expand China’s trade with Africa, promote high-quality development of China-Africa financing and investment cooperation, and boost the new dynamics in health, green development, the digital economy and other sectors to give more support to Africa’s economic and social development.

Fourth, stand firm in defending the unity and cooperation of developing countries. Both China and Africa should reinforce confidence, strength and self-reliance, uphold humanity’s common values, oppose hegemony, bullying, highhandedness and racial discrimination, and jointly safeguard true multilateralism and promote greater democracy in international relations. We should boost the representation and voice of developing countries, especially those of African countries, in the UN Security Council and other international organizations, and work together to make the global governance system more just and equitable.