Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral talks last Wednesday with a series of African foreign ministers during the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in the central Chinese city of Changsha.
The high-level engagements underscored Beijing’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa across sectors such as trade, security, health, infrastructure, and governance.
Among those attending was Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who reaffirmed Ghana’s longstanding commitment to the one-China policy.
“As China has become Ghana’s largest trading partner, we look forward to deepening cooperation in various fields,” Ablakwa said.
“We will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and consolidate the strong partnership between our two nations.”
Wang Yi acknowledged the evolving partnership, noting that “China and Ghana elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership last year, opening a new chapter in our bilateral ties.”
He emphasized China’s readiness to expand cooperation with Ghana, enhance mutual development, and uphold multilateralism as a counterweight to global unilateral tendencies.
During the series of bilateral meetings, Wang also met with Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, who described China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as “a source of hope” for African nations seeking to break the cycle of poverty and dependence.
Gakosso reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the BRI and to the one-China policy.
In a separate meeting, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, commended the impact of FOCAC over the past 25 years, describing it as “a driving force behind Africa’s development.” Lamola expressed South Africa’s desire to expand cooperation with China in energy, healthcare, and capacity building. Wang, in turn, praised South Africa’s leadership on the international stage and expressed full support for its G20 presidency.
Other notable engagements included talks with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, who emphasized his nation’s commitment to multilateralism and regional cooperation.
“Djibouti values its strategic partnership with China and stands ready to jointly tackle global challenges,” Omar said. Wang assured continued Chinese support for African-led solutions to continental issues.
Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, representing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), welcomed China’s offer to help her country transform its resource wealth into sustainable development.
“We firmly adhere to the one-China principle and fully support the Belt and Road Initiative,” she said.
Wang highlighted China’s openness to Congolese products and the potential for greater market integration.
Representing Niger, Bakary Yaou Sangare underscored his government’s commitment to the one-China policy and called for enhanced security cooperation to protect foreign investments.
Wang reiterated the importance of safeguarding the rights and interests of Chinese nationals and enterprises in the country.
Guinea-Bissau’s Foreign Minister Carlos Pinto Pereira thanked China for its continued support, noting that “in the face of global protectionism, the Global South must stand united.” Wang hailed the country’s reciprocal stance on trade matters and pledged increased practical cooperation.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar emphasized the strategic value of China-Nigeria relations and said Nigeria is ready to scale up cooperation in infrastructure, education, and technology.
Wang called the bilateral partnership increasingly significant on the global stage and encouraged deeper engagement in shared development efforts.
Wang also held discussions with Burkina Faso’s Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, who praised China’s leadership in Africa’s development and highlighted the recent elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic level. Wang encouraged Chinese businesses to invest in Burkina Faso, expressing confidence in the country’s commitment to protecting foreign enterprises.
Finally, Ethiopia’s Justice Minister Gedion Timothewos commended the fruitful results achieved under the FOCAC Beijing Summit framework. “Ethiopia’s partnership with China has become a model for South-South cooperation,” he said, while reaffirming support for the one-China principle.
Wang noted that the partnership has delivered real benefits and pledged further cooperation in areas of shared strategic interest.
The high-level engagements in Changsha are part of broader efforts by China to solidify its influence in Africa through multilateral cooperation and sustained diplomatic outreach.