Following his visit to New York, where he chaired the high-level United Nations Security Council meeting on ‘Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance’, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi flew to South Africa to attend the Johannesburg meeting of G20 foreign ministers, the first such gathering to be held on African soil.
In a deeply racist and hegemonic move, the meeting was boycotted by the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the US citing South Africa’s tentative moves in land reform aimed to redress the iniquities of the erstwhile racist apartheid system and the legacy of colonial rule as well as the host country highlighting the issues of diversity, equality and tackling climate change, all of which are in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Trump is also determined to punish South Africa for its courageous and principled leading role in unmasking and opposing Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people. It should further be noted that plutocratic capitalists with intimate ties to Trump, such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, have deep ties to the old racist system in South Africa. The US retreat into unilateralism, and attempts at bullying, only served to highlight the unique role of China as the major power putting forward constructive strategies and proposals in the common interest of the vast majority of humanity.
In his speech delivered on February 20, the first day of the conference, Wang Yi said that China would work with all other parties in the following areas:
- Acting as the guardians of world peace. Countries should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and respect the development paths and social systems independently chosen by each other. Countries should persevere with dialogue and negotiation and seek peaceful settlements to differences and political solutions to international and regional hotspot issues. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, initiated by China and some other Global South countries 70 years ago, remain as relevant as ever under current circumstances.
- Acting as the builders of universal security. Humanity is a community with a shared future. It is also an indivisible community of shared security. A country must not pursue its own security at the expense of the security of other countries, and the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously.
- Acting as the defenders of multilateralism. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. It is also the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
Noting that previous speakers had all spoken about the Ukraine crisis, Wang Yi said: “Although the parties have different positions and it is hard to find simple solutions to complex issues, dialogue is always better than confrontation and peace talks better than fighting… Acting on the wishes of the relevant parties and keeping in mind the concerns of the international community, especially those of the Global South, China will continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis.”
And turning to the question of Palestine, he remarked: “The conflict in Gaza has caused an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The flames of war must not be reignited, and the ceasefire agreement must be implemented in a continuous and effective manner. Gaza and the West Bank are the homeland of the Palestinian people. ‘The Palestinians governing Palestine’ is an important principle that must be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza… The historical injustice on the Palestinian question has remained unaddressed for over seven decades. The issue should not be marginalised once again.”
Wang Yi noted that: “This year represents an ‘African moment’ at the G20. After welcoming the African Union as a full member, the G20 is going to have a summit on the African continent for the first time. We must listen to what Africa has to say, take Africa’s concerns seriously, support Africa’s actions, and work for peace and development in Africa, so as to leave a distinct African mark on the Johannesburg Summit. China firmly supports the African people in independently resolving African problems and opposes external interference in the internal affairs of African countries.”
And in concluding he invoked the words of Nelson Mandela: “It is so easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”
Wang Yi made a further speech the next day, saying, “China is ready to join all sides in embracing the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’ proposed by South Africa, ushering in a new chapter of G20 cooperation, and working together for a just world of common development” in the following ways:
- Through Solidarity we will cement the foundation of G20 cooperation. President Ramaphosa noted that, cooperation has been one of the key markers of human development, which is what the G20 was established for. We should seek common ground, set aside and overcome differences whenever possible, avoid division and discord, and reject bloc confrontation. Major countries should play a leading role in advancing reform of the global economic governance system and improving the representation and voice of the Global South.
- Through Equality we will empower the G20 on the way forward. In today’s world, technological revolution is progressing apace, presenting us with both opportunities and risks. China supports South Africa’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) task force and supports the Global AI Summit on Africa. China also welcomes you all to attend the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Together with Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, we have jointly launched an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, and we look forward to more countries and international organisations coming aboard.
- Through Sustainability we will open up new prospects for the G20. China will take an active part in the two newly established task forces on “Inclusive Economic Growth” and “Food Security” set up by South Africa, and support cooperation in priority areas such as disaster relief, debt sustainability, fair energy transition and key minerals.
He further noted that: “Africa is experiencing a new awakening. The G20 should make the most of South Africa’s Presidency, mobilise more development resources, promote synergy in global development actions, and partner with Africa in industrialisation, infrastructure, green minerals and other areas, to accelerate the continent’s advance toward modernisation.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Additionally, the welcoming speech to the conference by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa may be read here.
Wang Yi Attends the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Feb. 21 (MFA) — On February 20, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg. The meeting was chaired by South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. Foreign ministers from G20 member states and guest countries, as well as heads of international organizations, including the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (U.N.), were present at the meeting.
Wang Yi said, the current international landscape is marked by transformation and turbulence. Regional conflicts and turmoil break out from time to time. The global security deficit keeps growing. It is time for the G20 to renew its commitment to the consensus of the Rio Summit, which is to act as a joint force for world peace and stability and build a safer world. To that end, Wang Yi put forward China’s proposals.
First, acting as the guardians of world peace. Countries should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect the development paths and social systems independently chosen by each other. Countries should persevere with dialogue and negotiation, and seek peaceful settlement to differences between countries and international and regional hotspot issues. Bloc confrontation and interference in other countries’ internal affairs must be rejected. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence remain as relevant as ever under current circumstances.
Second, acting as the builders of universal security. Humanity is a community with a shared future. President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Security Initiative, which advocates the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, a new path to security featuring dialogue rather than confrontation, partnership rather than alliance, and win-win rather than zero-sum, and a joint response to traditional and nontraditional security risks and challenges. China is ready for closer exchanges and cooperation with all sides in this regard.
Third, acting as the defenders of multilateralism. As the international situation becomes more complex and global challenges more acute, it is all the more important to defend the authority of the U.N. and give full play to its role. Countries need to translate the Call to Action on Global Governance Reform launched by the G20 foreign ministers into action and firmly safeguard the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Wang Yi pointed out that recently the calls for peace talks are rising and the window of opportunity for peace is opening. Although the parties have different positions and it is hard to find simple solutions to complex issues, dialogue is always better than confrontation and peace talks better than fighting. China always calls for an early and peaceful settlement of the crisis and has been actively promoting peace talks in line with President Xi Jinping’s four-point observations about what must be done. China supports all efforts dedicated to peace, including the recent consensus reached between the United States and Russia. China hopes that the relevant parties can find a sustainable and lasting solution that takes into account each other’s concerns. Acting on the wishes of the relevant parties and keeping in mind the concerns of the international community, especially those of the Global South, China will continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis.
Regarding the current situation in the Middle East, Wang Yi said that the Gaza ceasefire agreement must be implemented in a continuous and effective manner. “The Palestinians governing Palestine” is an important principle that must be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza, and the two-State solution is the only viable way out. The Palestinian question should not be marginalized once again. The international community should respect the choice made by the Syrian people, and at the same time, strictly prevent extremist forces from spreading and gaining strength in Syria and deny violent terrorists any safe haven in Syria.
Wang Yi stressed that this year represents an “African moment” at the G20. Countries must listen to what Africa has to say, take Africa’s concerns seriously, support Africa’s actions, and make greater contributions to peace and development in Africa. China firmly supports the African people in independently resolving African problems, and opposes external interference in the internal affairs of African countries. China believes that the African people have the wisdom, capability and right to take good care of their own affairs, and that the African Union’s goal of Silencing the Guns in Africa will be achieved.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Wang Yi also met respectively with foreign ministers of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and other countries.
Be the Driving Force for the Progress of History
Feb. 21 (MFA) — Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
At Session Ⅲ of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Johannesburg, February 21, 2025
Honorable Minister Lamola,
Dear colleagues,
Our meeting today is about G20 cooperation. I am convinced that under South Africa’s Presidency, G20 cooperation will make new headway and deliver new results.
At last year’s summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Xi Jinping called on the G20 to be a force to improve global governance and move history forward. Standing at a new starting point, China is ready to join all sides in embracing the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” proposed by South Africa, ushering in a new chapter of G20 cooperation, and working together for a just world of common development.
First, through “Solidarity” we will cement the foundation of G20 cooperation. President Ramaphosa noted that, cooperation has been one of the key markers of human development, which is what the G20 was established for. We should seek common ground, set aside and overcome differences whenever possible, avoid division and discord, and reject bloc confrontation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.N. and the 30th anniversary of the WTO. It is a pivotal year for global economic governance reform. Major countries should play a leading role in advancing reform of the global economic governance system and improving the representation and voice of the Global South. We should jointly build an open world economy, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and make economic globalization more universally beneficial and inclusive.
Second, through “Equality” we will empower the G20 on the way forward. Equal-footed consultation and mutual benefit is a distinct feature of the G20; it is also an important path for improving global governance. The G20 should be committed to extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. We should see each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and view each other as partners rather than rivals. In today’s world, technological revolution is progressing apace, presenting us with both opportunities and risks. China supports South Africa’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) task force and supports the Global AI Summit on Africa. China also welcomes you all to China for the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Together with Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, we have jointly launched an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, and we look forward to more countries and international organizations coming aboard.
Third, through “Sustainability” we will open up new prospects for the G20. Development should stay at the top of G20’s agenda, and we should translate the spirit of multilateralism into concrete actions of sustainability. At the G20 Rio Summit, President Xi outlined China’s eight actions for global development and called for the G20 to be a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development. China will take an active part in the two newly-established task forces on “Inclusive Economic Growth” and “Food Security” set up by South Africa, and support cooperation in priority areas such as disaster relief, debt sustainability, fair energy transition and key minerals. China is ready to discuss with all parties how to lower the financing costs for developing countries, actively participate in the work of Cost of Capital Commission, and help developing countries reduce their debt burden under the principle of “joint action and fair-burden sharing.”
Colleagues,
Africa is experiencing a new awakening. The G20 should make the most of South Africa’s Presidency, mobilize more development resources, promote synergy in global development actions, and partner with Africa in industrialization, infrastructure, green minerals and other areas, to accelerate the continent’s advancement toward modernization.
Under China’s G20 Presidency in 2016, the G20 adopted the Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and Least Developed Countries. Right now, China is working with African partners to comprehensively advance ten partnership actions for modernization. In sum, China is ready to work with all parties to empower Africa’s development through G20 cooperation to achieve common prosperity and progress.
Thank you.
