US-China Relations Updates

We, the heads of state, heads of government, delegation leaders of the People’s Republic of China and 53 African countries, convened the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit from September 4 to 6, 2024. The theme of the summit is “Join Hands to Promote Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community of Shared Future.” The summit unanimously adopted the “Beijing Declaration on Building a Year-Round China-Africa Community of Shared Future in the New Era.”

I. On Building a High-Level China-Africa Community of Shared Future

1. We fully affirm the advocacy of China-Africa leaders in various international settings for building a community of shared future for humanity, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, global development initiatives, global security initiatives, and global civilizations initiatives. We call on countries around the world to work together to build a lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, an open and inclusive world, and a clean and beautiful environment. We promote global governance based on consultation, contribution, and shared benefits, practice common values of humanity, and strive to build a new type of international relations, jointly advancing toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.
2. China actively supports Africa’s efforts to accelerate regional integration and economic development through the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 First Ten-Year Implementation Plan and the launch of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. African countries appreciate China’s support for initiating the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with African nations in the priority areas identified in this plan.
3. We will work together to implement the important consensus reached at the high-level meeting on “Strengthening Governance Experience Exchange and Exploring Modern Development Paths.” We believe that jointly promoting modernization is a historical mission and contemporary significance for building a high-level China-Africa community of shared future. Achieving modernization is a universal pursuit for all countries, and this modernization should be characterized by peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and shared prosperity. Both sides are willing to expand exchanges among nations, legislative bodies, governments, and local provinces and cities, continuously deepening experience sharing in governance, modernization, and poverty reduction. We support each other in exploring modernization models based on our unique civilizational characteristics, development needs, and innovation. China will always be a partner in Africa’s modernization journey.
4. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. African countries appreciate China’s consistent adherence to this important principle in developing relations with Africa. They believe that upholding this principle is vital for Africa’s pursuit of development, maintaining friendly relations between countries, and mutual respect for sovereign equality. China will continue to uphold the principles of sincerity, friendship, and honesty, respect the political and economic choices made by African countries based on their national conditions, refrain from interfering in Africa’s internal affairs, and avoid attaching conditions to aid. Both sides will always adhere to the enduring spirit of “China-Africa friendship and cooperation,” which includes sincerity, equality, mutual benefit, joint development, upholding justice, and being open and inclusive, to build a year-round China-Africa community of shared future in the new era.
5. We emphasize that China and Africa shall support each other on issues related to core interests and major concerns. China reaffirms its firm support for Africa in maintaining national independence, unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, security, and development interests. African countries reaffirm their firm commitment to the one-China principle, acknowledging that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China, and we firmly support the Chinese government’s efforts to achieve national unity. In accordance with international law and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, matters concerning Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet are internal affairs of China.
6. We believe that promoting and protecting human rights, including the right to development, is a shared endeavor of all humanity. This should be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and opposition to politicization. We firmly oppose the politicization of the human rights agenda, the UN Human Rights Council, and its related mechanisms. We reject all forms of neocolonialism and international economic exploitation, and we call on the international community to resolutely resist and combat all forms of racism and racial discrimination, as well as intolerance, stigmatization, and incitement to violence based on religion or belief.
7. China supports African countries in playing a greater role and influence within an inclusive framework of global governance, especially in addressing global issues. China believes that African individuals are qualified to hold leadership positions in international organizations and institutions and supports their engagement. African countries appreciate China’s initiative to support the African Union as an official member of the G20. China will continue to support priorities related to Africa within G20 affairs and welcomes more African countries to join the BRICS family, as well as the appointment of a Cameroonian individual as the President of the 79th UN General Assembly.
8. China and Africa jointly advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world, firmly maintaining an international system centered on the UN, an international order based on international law, and fundamental norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We call for necessary reforms and strengthening of the UN, including the Security Council, to correct historical injustices suffered by Africa, including increasing the representation of developing countries, especially African nations, in the UN and its Security Council. China supports special arrangements to prioritize addressing African demands in the context of UN Security Council reform. China acknowledges the statement issued at the 37th African Union Summit in February 2024, which calls for the establishment of a united front to promote justice and reparations for Africa. This statement opposes historical crimes such as slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, and calls for reparations to restore justice to Africa. We believe that Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe have the right to determine their own destinies and continue to advance their economic and social development, urging the West to end long-standing sanctions and unjust treatment towards these nations.
9. China and Africa jointly advocate for inclusive and equitable economic globalization, responding to the universal aspirations of countries, especially developing nations, and giving high importance to the concerns of African countries. We call for reforms of the international financial system to improve development financing for Southern countries, aiming for shared prosperity and better alignment with African development needs. We will actively participate in and promote reforms of multilateral financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, concerning shares, special drawing rights, and voting rights. We call for enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries to make the international monetary and financial system fairer and better reflect changes in the global economic landscape. China and Africa will continue to uphold the core values and fundamental principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO), oppose “decoupling and supply chain disruptions,” resist unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the legitimate interests of a wide range of developing members, including China and Africa, to invigorate global economic growth. China supports the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Africa in 2026 to achieve development-oriented outcomes. Both sides will actively participate in WTO reform, advocating for a direction toward building an inclusive, transparent, open, non-discriminatory, and fair multilateral trading system, strengthening the centrality of development issues in WTO work, and maintaining a comprehensive and well-functioning dispute resolution mechanism. We condemn unilateral coercive measures taken by some developed countries against developing nations that infringe upon their sustainable development rights and oppose unilateralism and protectionist measures justified by climate change and environmental protection, such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms. We are committed to establishing a secure and stable supply chain for critical minerals to benefit the world and promote sustainable development for the peoples of China and Africa. We welcome the UN General Assembly’s initiative to establish a group focused on critical minerals for energy transition and call for assistance to raw material supplying countries to enhance the value of their industrial chains.
10. China appreciates Uganda’s successful hosting of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit and the third South-South Cooperation Conference in January 2024, which promotes unity and cooperation among the “Global South.” China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent with the most developing countries, are part of the “Global South.” We always stand together with other developing countries, upholding independence, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, autonomy, unity, and development. We oppose ideological divisions and bloc confrontations, safeguarding the common interests of “Global South” countries in the ongoing transformation of the global governance system. China congratulates The Gambia for hosting the 15th Islamic Cooperation Organization Summit in May 2024, which facilitates constructive dialogue on issues concerning the Muslim world and all humanity.
11. China appreciates Africa’s hosting of the 22nd and 27th Conferences of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and positively evaluates the first Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in September 2023, themed “Driving Green Growth: Providing Climate Financing Solutions for Africa and the World.” We reaffirm the importance of the goals and principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. We stress the significance of the Nairobi Declaration and the China-Africa Cooperation Declaration on Climate Change. We call on the international community to implement principles such as equitable, common but differentiated responsibilities, respecting each country’s choice of energy transition paths based on their national conditions, while considering the particularities of developing countries, including African nations, as well as small island developing states and landlocked developing countries. Reflecting on the spirit of the Marrakech Declaration from the first Africa Action Summit in November 2016, we urge developed countries to take more action and fulfill their obligations to provide climate funding for developing countries through the Green Climate Fund, the Loss and Damage Fund, and adaptation funds. We call for a balanced approach to mitigation and adaptation, enhancing financial, technological, and capacity-building support for African countries to improve their resilience and adaptability to climate change. We urge developed countries to recognize the specific needs of developing countries, including those in Africa, in addressing climate change challenges and achieving sustainable development.
12. We express concern over the economic vulnerability faced by African nations, especially small island developing states, and call on international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to explore the use of multidimensional vulnerability indices as a supplement to existing policies. We encourage China and capable African countries to propose trilateral cooperation initiatives or projects.
13. II. Promoting High-Quality Joint Development of the Belt and Road Initiative in Alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
14. We will work together to implement the important consensus reached at the high-level meeting on “High-Quality Joint Development of the Belt and Road: Creating a Platform for Consultation, Construction, and Sharing of Modern Development.” Under the guidance of the spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and win-win outcomes, we will promote the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. We will adhere to the principles of consultation, construction, and sharing, and uphold concepts of openness, greenness, and integrity, aiming to transform the China-Africa joint Belt and Road initiative into a high-standard, people-centered, sustainable cooperation pathway. We will continue to closely align the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road with the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and the development strategies of African countries, making greater contributions to international cooperation and global economic growth. African nations warmly congratulate the successful holding of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in October 2023. We unanimously support future UN summits and the proactive “Future Pact” to better implement the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
15. As an important partner in Africa’s development agenda, China is willing to strengthen cooperation with forum member countries, the African Union and its institutions, and African sub-regional organizations. We will actively participate in implementing Africa’s infrastructure development plans (PIDA), the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI), the AUDA-NEPAD, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and the African Industrialization Development Accelerated Programme (AIDA), supporting African economic integration and connectivity. We will deepen and accelerate cooperation on key transnational and regional infrastructure projects to promote African development. We support the alignment of these plans with Belt and Road cooperation projects, enhancing logistics connectivity between China and Africa, and raising the level of economic and trade relations.
16. We emphasize the significant importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the full implementation of the AfCFTA, which will increase value addition and create jobs, boosting Africa’s economic development. China supports Africa in strengthening trade integration and will continue to support the comprehensive establishment of the AfCFTA and the promotion of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System. We support African countries in showcasing their products through platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and welcome African countries to utilize the “green channel” for agricultural products exported to China. China is willing to sign a framework agreement for a joint economic partnership with willing African countries to promote more flexible and pragmatic arrangements for trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, expanding autonomous openings for African countries, and providing long-term, stable, and predictable institutional guarantees for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. China will expand unilateral openness to the least developed countries, including African nations, and encourage Chinese enterprises to increase direct investment in Africa.
17. We will strengthen cooperation in investment between China and Africa, advancing cooperation in industrial and supply chains, enhancing the capacity to produce and export high-value-added products, and supporting enterprises on both sides to actively utilize various forms of mutually beneficial cooperation models. We encourage financial institutions from both sides to strengthen cooperation, expand bilateral local currency settlement, and diversify foreign exchange reserves. China supports the construction of local platforms for economic and trade exchanges with Africa, promoting the coordinated development of local parks with Chinese economic and trade cooperation zones in Africa, and advancing the construction of channels from China’s central and western regions to Africa. China encourages its enterprises to expand investment in Africa and employ local labor, fully respecting international law, local laws and regulations, customs, and religious beliefs, proactively fulfilling social responsibilities, supporting local production and processing, and assisting African countries in achieving sustainable development. China is willing to sign and implement bilateral investment promotion and facilitation agreements to provide a stable, fair, and convenient business environment for enterprises from both China and Africa, safeguarding the safety and legitimate rights and interests of personnel, projects, and institutions. China supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa and encourages African nations to utilize the special loan program for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Both sides commend China’s implementation of the “100 Enterprises, 1000 Villages” initiative through the China-Africa Enterprise Social Responsibility Alliance, guiding Chinese enterprises in Africa to fulfill their social responsibilities.
18. China places great importance on Africa’s development financing concerns and strongly calls for international financial institutions to direct funds toward African countries and other developing nations, optimizing the approval processes for funding to enhance convenience and fairness in financing for Africa. China is willing to continue supporting African financial institutions. African nations appreciate China’s significant contributions to debt management for African countries, including case-by-case debt handling under the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the reallocation of $10 billion in Special Drawing Rights from the International Monetary Fund. We urge international financial institutions and commercial creditors to participate in debt management for African countries based on the principles of “joint action and equitable burden-sharing,” collectively helping African nations address this critical issue. Within this framework, increased support for developing countries, including those in Africa, is essential, along with the provision of long-term affordable financing to ensure their development.
19. We reaffirm that the sovereign ratings assigned by certain international institutions to developing countries, including those in Africa, affect their borrowing costs, and these ratings should be more objective and transparent. We encourage the establishment of an African rating agency under the African Union’s framework and with the support of the African Development Bank, aiming to create a new evaluation system that reflects the unique characteristics of African economies. We call for reforms of multilateral development banks to take specific measures within their mandates to provide supplementary development financing, including increasing subsidies and concessional financing, and creating new financing tools tailored to the needs of African countries to help achieve sustainable development goals.
20. III. Global Development Initiative as a Strategic Framework for Joint Action in China-Africa Development
21. We are committed to implementing the Global Development Initiative and actively engaging in cooperation under this framework to build high-quality partnerships. African nations appreciate China’s proposed cooperative actions toward Africa under the Global Development Initiative, particularly in expanding food production and encouraging increased agricultural investment and technological cooperation. We welcome the “Friends of the Global Development Initiative Group” and the “Global Development Promotion Center Network” for promoting international focus on key development issues to accelerate the achievement of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and ensure the success of future UN summits while addressing the concerns of developing countries. We welcome the establishment of the China-Africa (Ethiopia)-UN (Industrial Development Organization) Cooperation Demonstration Center, aimed at promoting economic development in Global South countries.
22. We will work together to implement the important consensus reached at the high-level meeting on “Industrialization, Agricultural Modernization, and Green Development: The Path to Modernization.” African nations appreciate the initiatives announced by China at the 2023 China-Africa Leaders Dialogue, including the “Support for African Industrialization Initiative,” the “China-Africa Agricultural Modernization Plan,” and the “China-Africa Talent Training Cooperation Plan,” which align with Africa’s priority needs and contribute to integration and development.
23. We support the role of the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center, the China-Africa Ocean Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center, and the China-Africa Geoscience Cooperation Center in promoting the implementation of projects such as the “China-Africa Green Envoy Program,” the “China-Africa Green Innovation Program,” and the “Africa Light Belt.” We welcome the positive role of the China-Africa Energy Partnership, and China will support African countries in better utilizing renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics, hydropower, and wind energy. We aim to further expand investment in low-emission projects related to energy-saving technologies, high-tech industries, and green low-carbon industries, assisting African nations in optimizing their energy and industrial structures, as well as developing green hydrogen and nuclear energy. China supports the operation of the AUDA-NEPAD Climate Resilience and Adaptation Center.
24. To seize the historic opportunities of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China is willing to work with Africa to accelerate the development of new productive forces, jointly enhancing technological innovation and the conversion of results, and promoting deep integration of the digital economy with the real economy. We must improve global technology governance together, creating an inclusive, open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for technological development. We emphasize that the peaceful use of technology is an inalienable right granted to all countries under international law and support the UN General Assembly’s resolution on “Promoting Peaceful Use of International Cooperation in the Field of International Security,” ensuring that developing countries fully enjoy their rights to the peaceful use of technology. We commend the UN General Assembly’s consensus on the resolution “Strengthening International Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building.” African nations welcome China’s proposed “Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative” and “Global Data Security Initiative,” appreciating China’s efforts to enhance the rights of developing countries in the governance of artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and data. China and Africa agree to work together to promote measures such as establishing national codes of conduct and developing digital literacy to prevent the abuse of artificial intelligence. We believe in adhering to the principle of balancing development and security, continuously bridging the intelligence gap and digital divide, jointly managing risks, and exploring the formation of relevant international governance frameworks with the UN as the main channel. We welcome the “Shanghai Declaration on Global Artificial Intelligence Governance” adopted at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and Global Governance High-Level Meeting held in Shanghai in July 2024, as well as the “African Artificial Intelligence Consensus Declaration” adopted at the High-Level Forum on Artificial Intelligence held in Rabat in June 2024.
25. IV. The Global Security Initiative as a Strong Driving Force for China-Africa Joint Actions in Maintaining International Peace and Security
26. We are committed to upholding a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security vision, working hand in hand to implement the Global Security Initiative and initiate early cooperation under this framework. We will cooperate to achieve the important consensus reached at the high-level meeting on “Working Together Towards a Common Future of Lasting Peace and Universal Security: Providing Solid Guarantees for Modern Development.” We insist on resolving African issues through African solutions and jointly promote the implementation of the “Silencing the Guns in Africa” initiative. China will actively participate in mediation efforts for regional hotspot issues at the request of African nations, contributing positively to achieving peace and stability in Africa.
27. We believe that the “African Peace and Security Architecture” serves as a strong and ideal normative framework to address the peace and security challenges and threats on the African continent, and we call on the international community to support this framework. African nations appreciate China’s proposal for a “Peace and Development Initiative for the Horn of Africa.” We reaffirm our commitment to close cooperation on peace and security matters related to Africa at the UN Security Council level to safeguard our common interests. We reassert the importance of maintaining peace and the role of UN peacekeeping operations in preserving international and African peace and security. China supports funding for African-led peacekeeping operations in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2719. We commend African efforts, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region, to combat the growing threat of terrorism and call for global counter-terrorism resources to be further directed toward developing countries, helping African nations, particularly those affected by terrorism, to strengthen their counter-terrorism capabilities. We remain committed to addressing new maritime security threats faced by coastal African countries and combating transnational organized crimes such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking. China supports the AUDA-NEPAD’s proposed integrated plan for peace, security, and development, which will assist the AU in post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts.
28. We express deep concern over the severe humanitarian disaster caused by the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and its negative impact on global security. We call for the immediate implementation of relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions to achieve a ceasefire. China appreciates the significant role played by African nations in promoting an end to the conflict, including efforts to achieve a ceasefire, release hostages, and increase humanitarian aid. African nations commend China’s substantial efforts to support the just cause of the Palestinian people. We reaffirm the critical importance of a comprehensive solution based on the “two-state solution,” supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, allowing for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine. We call for support for the continued role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to prevent humanitarian, political, and security risks arising from any interruption or cessation of its work. We support all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis. We urge the international community not to reduce support and investment in Africa due to issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Ukraine crisis, and to actively support African nations in addressing global challenges such as food security, climate change, and energy crises.
29. V. The Global Civilization Initiative as a Vital Force for Deepening Cultural and Civilizational Dialogue between China and Africa
30. We are willing to work together to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, enhance civilizational exchanges, and promote mutual understanding. African nations highly appreciate China’s proposal for the “International Day of Civilizational Dialogue” at the UN. We are committed to jointly advocating for respect for civilizational diversity, promoting common values for humanity, valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and actively advancing cultural exchanges and cooperation. China highly values the African Union’s 2024 theme year focused on “Education for 21st Century Africans: Building Resilient Education Systems to Enhance Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, and Quality Education in Africa,” and will support Africa in achieving educational modernization through the “China-Africa Talent Training Cooperation Program.” China encourages Chinese enterprises to strengthen training and educational opportunities for African employees. Both sides will promote lifelong learning and continue to enhance cooperation in capacity building through technology transfer and educational training, cultivating talents aimed at modern governance, economic and social development, technological innovation, and improving people’s well-being. We will further expand exchanges and cooperation in education, technology, health, tourism, sports, youth, women, think tanks, media, and culture, laying a solid social foundation for the China-Africa friendship. China supports the 2026 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar. Both sides will strengthen personnel exchanges across various fields, including technology, education, trade, culture, and tourism.
31. We commend the joint publication of the “China-Africa Dar es Salaam Consensus” by scholars from both sides, which presents constructive ideas on how to address current global challenges and crystallizes the consensus on ideas between China and Africa. We support enhanced exchanges and cooperation among China-Africa think tanks to share development experiences. We believe that cultural cooperation is a vital means to strengthen dialogue and mutual understanding between different civilizations and cultures. We encourage cultural institutions in China and Africa to establish friendly relations and enhance local and grassroots cultural exchanges.
32. VI. Review and Outlook of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum
33. Since its establishment in 2000, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum has focused on achieving common prosperity and sustainable development for the peoples of China and Africa. Its institutional framework has become increasingly complete, and practical cooperation has yielded significant results, making it a unique and effective platform for South-South cooperation that serves as a reference for international cooperation with Africa. We highly commend the fruitful outcomes achieved in implementing the “Nine Projects” proposed at the forum’s eighth ministerial conference in 2021, as well as the follow-up actions of the “Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024),” the “China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035,” and the “China-Africa Cooperation Declaration on Climate Change.”
34. We appreciate the unremitting efforts and outstanding work of the ministers attending the ninth ministerial conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. In accordance with the spirit of this declaration, the “China-Africa Cooperation Forum – Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)” has been adopted, and both sides will continue to work closely to ensure the comprehensive implementation of this action plan.
35. We express our gratitude to President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China and President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal for co-chairing the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit.
36. We appreciate the contributions made by the Republic of Senegal during its tenure as co-chair from 2018 to 2024, which have advanced the forum’s development and China-Africa relations.
37. We thank the government and people of the People’s Republic of China for their warm hospitality and facilitation extended to all parties during the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit.
38. We welcome the Republic of Congo to take over as co-chair of the forum from 2024 to 2027, followed by the Republic of Equatorial Guinea from 2027 to 2030. It has been decided that the tenth ministerial conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will be held in the Republic of Congo in 2027.