Author: Friends of Socialist China

‘Tashi Delek’ – Tibetans’ welcome to international guests experiencing Xizang’s rich culture and rapid modernisation

In the following article, Friends of Socialist China Britain Committee Secretary David Peat reports back first-hand observations from a recent trip to Tibet (Xizang Autonomous Region). The visit, part of a commercial delegation assessing tourism offerings, allowed David to experience the beautiful natural scenery, the evident leaps and bounds of development, and the rich, vibrant cultural life of the region. Countering Western narratives which seek to destabilise the region (and China at large) by depicting Xizang as a repressive police state, David was able to observe how the Tibetan language, religious, and cultural practices are integrally woven into daily life, alongside the major improvements in livelihood which have occurred since the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region, this year celebrating its 60th anniversary.

For thousands of years Tibet, or to give its proper contemporary title, Xizang Autonomous Region, has held a particular mystique for travellers, both in Asia and further beyond. In the West, this has often taken an ‘orientalist’ form, and the realities of life in Tibet were exoticised and misrepresented to fulfil western explorers’ and/or spiritualists’ particular delusions. Then and now, this kind of obfuscation has been weaponised by western imperialist interests to paint a picture of a ‘Holy’, innocent land being repressed by ‘Oriental despots’ (or, in contemporary times, ‘Godless communists’), and therefore requiring of liberation from ‘civilised’ westerners. This was seen in recent decades in the form of the ‘Free Tibet’ campaigns, which wholly ignored both the cruel realities of the feudal, slave-owning system present in the region until its liberation, and the enormous subsequent development taking place.

The reality of life in Xizang is, of course, more complicated, and one of the best ways to “seek truth from facts” and gain an accurate understanding is by visiting the region. Thankfully, this is becoming easier and easier, and I was able to do so recently as part of a large commercial delegation organised by the Chinese National Tourism Organisation.

More than 100 travel agents, representing more than 10 European and Australasian countries, were invited to experience the tourism resources in the region, and decide whether they would be suitable to promote to their clients in their respective countries. A standard practice across the global travel industry, these ‘familiarisation tours’ are operated with the participation of local tourism bureaus, hoteliers, experience providers, and so on. They are offered as ways to promote knowledge of the region, encourage networking, and hopefully increase tourism numbers. However, it is entirely up to the participating travel agent to decide if they wish to develop products as a result (no ‘deliverables’ are required as a condition of joining).

This tour was for six days in Xizang and consisted of two-night stays in three cities: Shannan, Shigatse, and the regional capital of Lhasa. It should come as no surprise that Xizang is a truly outstanding tourist destination. The stunning and diverse natural landscapes, the unique architectural styles and distinct religious/cultural iconography, and above all the welcoming local population, who are more often than found wearing beautiful traditional clothing, make it a genuinely unique location, and one that is sure to become a must-visit destination in coming years. It must also be remembered that Xizang is fully part of a rapidly modernising China, and its socialist construction is evident in all respects—from high quality transport infrastructure to widespread green energy installations. The effects of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ecological civilisation slogan and nationwide campaign of “clear waters and green mountains” can be felt most strongly here. The juxtaposition of ancient and modern is to be found everywhere, with for example experiencing better 5G on an ancient sacred mountain at 5000m altitude than you would get in central London(!), and being able to leave an offering to a Bodhisattva statue (if so inclined) using the omnipresent WeChat Pay/Alipay QR payment codes.

Discussions with our local Tibetan guide were free and open, and beyond the planned itinerary participants were free to explore cities independently. Despite frequently repeated propaganda claims in the west about intense repression, police and military presence was not strongly evident, and certainly not more so than in the rest of the country. Indeed, a small unarmed police presence at major tourists spots is considerably more relaxed than most European destinations. As we toured historic and cultural sites, of which the guides were quite clearly very proud, they discussed the long and eventful history of the region. Readers looking to better understand the history of the region should seek out the excellent books When the Serfs Stood up in Tibet by American journalist Anna Louise Strong and Tibet Transformed by Polish-born journalist Israel Epstein.

Of particular historical interest on this tour was the discussion by the guide of the destruction of cultural and religious sites by an invading British force in the early 20th Century, the so-called “Younghusband Expedition”, let by the eponymous Colonel, which sought to extend the control of the British empire from the Indian subcontinent and prevent Russian imperial interests from gaining purchase. The invading force, which was composed primarily of British Indian conscripts, was highly destructive and cruel, killing many Tibetans and destroying important historic sites. Also discussed openly was the Cultural Revolution, during which some religious and cultural sites were damaged and destroyed. It should be noted that for the participants these sites represented the feudal and slave-owning system, which had been overthrown in recent living memory (the preceding 10-20 years), and as such the destruction can perhaps be contextualised. In spite of all this tumult, the region retains a huge amount of its historic treasures, and they can be enjoyed and cherished by the locals and visitors alike. Some images from the journey can be viewed here.

Xizang’s population is more than 86 percent Tibetan, with Han at around 12 percent, with other ethnic minorities such as Hui Muslims making up the rest. As was true throughout the country, ethnic minorities were not subject to the one-child policy in Xizang. The prevalence of Tibetan cultural and religious practices, the Tibetan language, cuisine etc., can be seen everywhere, and flies in the face of tales of its suppression. The Tibetan economy has seen huge growth in recent years, outpacing the rest of the country with GDP growth of 9.5 percent in 2023, and, as part of the nationwide campaign and First Centenary Goal, it was able to fully eradicate extreme poverty in 2019.[1] Average life expectancy in Tibet has surpassed 72 years, more than double the figure of 35.5 years recorded in 1951. 

Incidentally, during the time of the trip, Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po (also known as the Panchen Lama), the primary Tibetan Buddhist religious leader residing in Xizang, held an important visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This year marks 60 years since the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region,[2] and president Xi expressed the hope that the religious leader “will carry on the glorious tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in loving the country, and resolutely safeguard national unity and ethnic solidarity.”[3]

The “Xizang issue” is likely to become a news item again in the near future, with the “government-in-exile” (and more importantly their imperialist backers) planning to weaponise the succession of the title of Dalai Lama (a religious and political leader). Given the advanced age of the current holder of that title, the succession is almost certain to occur in the coming years.

In accordance with General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s view of tourism as “an emerging strategic pillar industry, which has contributed to the people’s wellbeing and their sense of happiness”,[4] travel to the entire People’s Republic has never been easier, thanks to the introduction of many visa-free programs (especially for shorter stays) and simplified visa processing for longer stays. Travel to Tibet/Xizang requires an additional permit which can be secured quite simply by any reputable travel agent that organises group or individual itineraries in China.

Everywhere you go in Xizang you are welcomed with the phrase བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལགས། ‘Tashi delek’ [auspicious blessing] and more often than not given a hada, a white scarf symbolizing purity and auspiciousness. This is the sincere attitude of the Tibetan people towards visitors, whether from the rest of the country or further afield, and they are extremely welcoming of international guests coming to experience their rich culture, and to see the life that the Tibetan people are building as an integral part of the Chinese path to modernisation. As such, when planning your next trip to China, consider including a visit to Xizang Autonomous Region for a truly unique and memorable experience.

[1] ‘Xizang experiencing its best period of development’, Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/20240309/908a619bb225490a9e9b766c843bf287/c.html

[2] ‘Logo unveiled for 60th anniversary celebration of Xizang Autonomous Region’, Global Times,  https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334708.shtml

[3] ‘Xi receives visit from Panchen Rinpoche’, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335569.shtml

[4] ‘Xi stresses efforts to promote high-quality development of tourism sector’, Xinhua, https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202405/20/content_WS664b2890c6d0868f4e8e746c.html

Wang Yi: Israel’s actions violate international law and the norms governing international relations

In response to the continuing Israeli aggression against Iran, on June 18, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Oman at their request.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Expatriates Badr Abdel Aaty said that Israel’s attack on Iran clearly violates international law. Egypt condemns this and hopes the Iranian nuclear issue will return to the track of political settlement as soon as possible.

Wang Yi said that Israel’s actions, which disregard international law and norms, have sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East. China is deeply concerned about the risk of the situation spiraling out of control. China once again calls on the parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to prioritise the interests and well-being of the people in the region, immediately achieve a ceasefire, ease tensions, and create conditions for a return to dialogue and negotiation. Egypt recently led 20 other Arab and Islamic countries in issuing a joint statement by their foreign ministers, jointly calling for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, the resumption of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, and the maintenance of lasting peace in the region. This is a timely and necessary move to help de-escalate the situation, and China fully supports it.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi said that Israel’s attack on Iran blatantly violates the United Nations Charter and international law, infringing upon Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Oman is deeply concerned about the current situation, especially the strikes targeting nuclear facilities, which may lead to nuclear leaks and will cause catastrophic consequences for the region. China has always upheld justice and safeguarded peace in the international community, which Oman highly appreciates. Oman looks forward to China playing a greater role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.

Wang Yi stated that the ins and outs of the current situation are crystal-clear. Israel’s actions violate international law and the norms governing international relations, infringe upon Iran’s sovereignty and security, and undermine regional peace and stability. The conflict has also interrupted the hard-won process of indirect negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, rendering Oman’s mediation efforts futile. China has promptly expressed its position of opposition to Israel’s military actions.

The Chinese Foreign Minister emphasised that the most pressing task now is to achieve a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. China supports the joint statement issued by 21 Arab and Islamic countries, including Oman, calling for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and a balanced stance on resolving disputes by peaceful means. At this critical juncture, the international community, especially regional countries, should further unite their efforts, uphold justice, and generate an international momentum opposing war, advocating for peace and promoting political settlement. China hopes that Arab and Islamic countries will remain united and continue efforts to promote talks for peace.

The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Continue reading Wang Yi: Israel’s actions violate international law and the norms governing international relations

Xi and Putin discuss crisis engendered by Israeli aggression against Iran

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the crisis engendered by the Israeli aggression against Iran on the afternoon of June 19,2025.

In the approximately one-hour conversation, according to the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Putin briefed on Russia’s views on the current situation in the Middle East, saying that Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is extremely dangerous, and that the escalation of the conflict is not in the interest of any party.

Xi Jinping said that if the conflict continues to escalate, not only will both parties to the conflict suffer greater losses, but countries across the region will also be severely affected. He put forward four proposals, namely:

  • Promoting a ceasefire and ending the hostilities is an urgent priority. The use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes; it will only exacerbate hatred and conflicts.
  • Ensuring the safety of civilians is of paramount importance. The red line of protecting civilians in armed conflicts must not be crossed at any time, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable.
  • Opening dialogue and negotiation is the fundamental way forward. Communication and dialogue are the right ways to achieve lasting peace.
  • Efforts by the international community to promote peace are indispensable. Without stability in the Middle East, there can hardly be peace in the world. The international community, particularly major countries that have special influence on the parties to the conflict, should make efforts to deescalate the situation, rather than the opposite. The United Nations Security Council should play a greater role in this regard.

Further details were provided by Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.

He said that the President of Russia informed his colleague about his latest international contacts with a focus on his telephone conversations with the key actors in the context of the confrontation between Israel and Iran. The Russian leader reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to offer its good offices, if necessary. The Chinese leader expressed support for this mediation effort, saying that he believed it could promote de-escalation amid the extreme tension we are witnessing today. [Prior to the call with Xi, President Putin had spoken with both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.]

Turning to other issues, Ushakov said that it was emphasised that the Chinese President’s participation as the main guest in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War held special significance and served as a compelling testament to the shared steadfast positions in upholding historical truth and preserving the memory of the heroic feats of our forefathers. Both presidents stressed the fact that we stood together back then, stand together now, and will stand together in the future. It has been agreed that the next time the leaders will see each other will be on Chinese soil during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on August 31-September 1. The two leaders will then take part in the festivities marking the 80th anniversary of victory over militarist Japan and the end of World War II in Beijing on September 3. Full-scale bilateral talks will be held on September 2.

Continue reading Xi and Putin discuss crisis engendered by Israeli aggression against Iran

China signs landmark treaty with Central Asian countries

The Second China-Central Asia Summit, held on June 17 in the Kazakh capital Astana, saw China conclude a Treaty of Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation with its five neighboring countries, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The 15-article treaty notes that: “In accordance with the universally recognized principles and rules of international law and on the basis of the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, all parties will comprehensively develop a long-term and stable strategic partnership.

“The parties reaffirmed their mutual refusal to use force or threat of force and to settle their disputes peacefully.”

It adds: “The Parties respect the principle of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and take measures to prohibit any activity within their national territory that violates that principle.

“The parties do not participate in any alliance or group directed against other parties and do not support any action hostile to other parties.”

They express willingness to cooperate on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in trade, economy, investment, infrastructure connectivity, engineering technology, energy (including hydropower and renewable energy), transportation, minerals, agriculture, ecological and environmental protection, processing industry, science and technology, and other areas of common interest. And: “In accordance with their national laws and their respective international obligations, the Parties will strengthen mutual trust in the fields of defense, defense industry and security, and expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation on other issues in this field.”

The Treaty will remain in force indefinitely.

China has signed similar treaties with Pakistan and the Russian Federation. (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remains China’s sole formal ally.) However, this is the first time for China to sign such a treaty on a multilateral basis. This is a key reason why President Xi Jinping, in his speech at the summit, described the treaty as “a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors.”

Xi Jinping also held bilateral meetings with all his counterparts in the margins of the summit.

Meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Kazakhstan relations have withstood the test of changing international circumstances and have remained strong and enjoyed robust growth. This is attributed to the geographical advantage of being connected by mountains and rivers and the time-honored friendship between the two peoples, but it is also an inevitable choice made by both countries to pursue common development.

Xi Jinping said that in the face of the international situation, intertwined with changes and chaos, China and Kazakhstan should firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, practice true multilateralism, and unequivocally safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China highly commends Kazakhstan for the extensive preparations it has made for the second China-Central Asia Summit. Meanwhile, as the rotating president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China is ready to work with all member states to take the Tianjin Summit this year as an opportunity to make the SCO more substantive and stronger, and demonstrate new progress, new breakthroughs, and a new outlook.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that China is Kazakhstan’s friendly neighbor, close friend, and trustworthy partner. The permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China is entering a new golden era, contributing to the sustainable economic and social development of both countries and bringing benefits to the two peoples. It serves as a model for state-to-state relations.  Under the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, great achievements have been made in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. The Kazakh side is sincerely glad for these achievements and firmly believes that China will continue to make even greater development achievements. The two countries should jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy, and transportation, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, education, sports, tourism, and other fields. Kazakhstan highly appreciates and actively supports China’s commitment and efforts to uphold international fairness and justice, and is willing to continue close cooperation and mutual support with China within multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, the SCO, BRICS, the China-Central Asia mechanism, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, to make the international order more just and equitable.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the exchange of more than ten bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism, and media.

The Astana Times further reported President Tokayev as saying that China never sets any political conditions in its cooperation with Kazakhstan. The President of China is always a highly respected guest in Kazakhstan, and his visit is a clear testament to the sincere and unwavering friendship between the two countries.

“If you carefully study our common history, you can see that relations between our countries have always been built on friendship and cooperation, without any conflicts or obstacles. They have always been distinguished by mutual understanding and goodwill. The Chinese people have never harmed the Kazakh people.”

Tokayev highlighted the symbolic nature of the Chinese President’s visit on his birthday and wished him good health, prosperity and new achievements in state activities.

Continue reading China signs landmark treaty with Central Asian countries

China strongly condemns US attacks on Iran

In a first reaction to the brazen US aggression against Iran, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has, on Sunday June 22, strongly condemned the bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The spokesperson added that the actions of the United States seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East.

The following article was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) — China strongly condemns the U.S. attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States carried out strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran.

The actions of the United States seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East, the spokesperson said.

China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation, the spokesperson said.

China stands ready to work with the international community to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East, the spokesperson said. 

Xi Jinping sets out programme for heightened cooperation with Central Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, from June 16-18, at the invitation of his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to attend the Second China-Central Asia Summit. They were also joined by the Presidents of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The first China-Central Asian Summit was hosted by President Xi in Xi’an in May 2023.

Xi Jinping made a keynote speech at the summit on June 17.

Recalling the Xi’an gathering, he said:

  • Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have further deepened and substantiated Belt and Road cooperation. Our trade has grown by 35 percent, and we have made important progress in industrial investment, green mining, technological innovation, and other fields of cooperation.
  • Two years on, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project has been officially launched. We are making steady progress in planning for the third railway link between China and Kazakhstan, in phase-II restoration of the China-Tajikistan highway, and in China-Turkmenistan energy cooperation.

The Chinese President went on to note that: “Our cooperation is rooted in more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, cemented by solidarity and mutual trust cultivated through more than three decades of diplomatic ties, and taken forward via openness and win-win cooperation of the new era.”

Building on our collective efforts over the years, we have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development”:

  • We practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals. All countries, big or small, are equal. We handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.
  • We seek to deepen mutual trust and enhance mutual support. We firmly support each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.
  • We pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and strive for common development. We view each other as priority partners and share development opportunities together.
  • We help each other in time of need and stand together through thick and thin. We support each other in choosing development paths suitable to our respective national conditions and in taking domestic matters into our own hands.

“Today, unprecedented changes are unfolding at a faster pace across the globe, thrusting the world into a new state of heightened turbulence and volatility. A strong belief in fairness and justice and an unyielding commitment to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the only way to maintain world peace and achieve common development. There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars. Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others.” Going forward:

  • We should stay committed to our fundamental goal of unity and always trust and support each other. Today, we will sign together a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to enshrine the principle of everlasting friendship in the form of law. This is a new landmark in the history of the relations between our six countries and a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors. It is a milestone for today and a foundation for tomorrow.
  • We should optimize our cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient, and more deeply integrated. We have agreed to designate 2025 and 2026 as the Years of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation. We should focus our cooperation on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization and personnel exchanges, and roll out more projects on the ground. In order to promote relevant cooperation, China has decided to establish three cooperation centers, i.e. on poverty reduction, on education exchange, and on desertification prevention and control, as well as a cooperation platform on smooth trade under the China-Central Asia cooperation framework.
  • We should develop a security framework for peace, tranquility and solidarity. We should step up regional security governance, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly prevent and thwart extreme ideologies, and resolutely fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, so as to maintain peace and stability in our region. Afghanistan is our close neighbor. We should strengthen coordination to help the country boost its development capacity and achieve peace, stability, reconstruction and development at an early date.
  • We should cement the bonds of shared vision, mutual understanding and mutual affection between our peoples. We will make good use of sister-city relations and people-to-people exchanges to nurture heart-to-heart connections at central and subnational levels, [and] between official and non-governmental actors.
  • We should uphold a fair and equitable international order and an equal and orderly world structure. China supports Central Asian countries in playing a bigger role in international affairs. We stand ready to work with all parties to defend international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In the strenuous times of war, Chinese and Central Asian peoples supported each other through adversity, and jointly made important contributions to the cause of justice of humanity. We should promote the correct view of history, defend the fruits of the victory of World War II, uphold the UN-centered international system, and provide more stability and certainty for world peace and development.

Concluding, Xi said: “China is building a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain unwavering in opening up to the outside world and embrace higher-quality cooperation with Central Asian countries to deepen the integration of interests and achieve common development.”

We reprint below the full text of President Xi’s speech. It was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit For High-Quality Cooperation in the Region

Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, at the Second China-Central Asia Summit, Astana, June 17, 2025.

Your Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,

Distinguished Colleagues,

Friends,

I am delighted to join you at the second China-Central Asia Summit in the beautiful city of Astana. I’d like to thank President Tokayev and the government of Kazakhstan for the gracious hospitality and thoughtful arrangement.

During our meeting in Xi’an two years ago, we jointly outlined the Xi’an Vision for China-Central Asia cooperation. The six pomegranate trees we planted together are in full bloom today, auguring the vitality of the cooperation among the six nations.

Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have further deepened and substantiated Belt and Road cooperation. Our trade has grown by 35 percent, and we have made important progress in industrial investment, green mining, technological innovation, and other fields of cooperation. The package of projects with Chinese financial support are well underway. While more and more Chinese new energy vehicles and photovoltaic products are entering Central Asian markets, Central Asian agricultural products, including honey, fruits, wheat and poultry, are diversifying the dinner tables of Chinese families.

Two years on, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project has been officially launched. We are making steady progress in planning for the third railway link between China and Kazakhstan, in phase-II restoration of the China-Tajikistan highway, and in China-Turkmenistan energy cooperation. Freight train services are connecting more and more Chinese cities to Central Asia. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has been upgraded and expanded. Green industries, digital economy, artificial intelligence, aviation and space are becoming new drivers of our cooperation. Cross-border e-commerce, online education, and other new business models are benefiting more and more people in China and Central Asia.

Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have made progress in establishing cultural centers in each other as well as in opening branches of Chinese universities and Luban Workshops. China has made mutual visa-free arrangements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, facilitating more than 1.2 million travels between China and Kazakhstan alone in 2024. Tourism and culture years and art festivals of Central Asian countries are very popular in China. Chinese films and TV dramas, such as Min-Ning Town and To the Wonder, have become great hits in Central Asia. The China-Central Asia train services for cultural tourism have been successfully inaugurated. And today, we will witness the number of sister cities between China and Central Asia reach the milestone of 100 pairs.

Two years on, we have launched 13 ministerial cooperation platforms under the China-Central Asia mechanism. The Secretariat is fully functioning, and the core framework of the mechanism is largely in place.

I am pleased to see that our consensus at the first Summit has been implemented across the board — from the millennium-old Xi’an to Astana “the pearl of the steppe,” from the coast of the Yellow Sea to the shores of the Caspian Sea, from the Tianshan Mountain Range to the Pamir Plateau. The path of our cooperation is steadily widening, and our friendship is blooming ever more brightly.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Friends,

Our cooperation is rooted in more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, cemented by solidarity and mutual trust cultivated through more than three decades of diplomatic ties, and taken forward via openness and win-win cooperation of the new era. Building on our collective efforts over the years, we have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.”

— We practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals. All countries, big or small, are equal. We handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.

— We seek to deepen mutual trust and enhance mutual support. We firmly support each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity. We do not do anything harmful to the core interests of any party.

— We pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and strive for common development. We view each other as priority partners, and share development opportunities together. We accommodate each other’s interests, and work to build a win-win and symbiotic relationship.

— We help each other in time of need and stand together through thick and thin. We support each other in choosing development paths suitable to our respective national conditions and in taking domestic matters into our own hands. We work together to address various risks and challenges, and uphold regional security and stability.

This China-Central Asia Spirit is an important guideline for our endeavor to carry forward friendship and cooperation from generation to generation. We should always uphold it and let it shine forever.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Friends,

Today, unprecedented changes are unfolding at a faster pace across the globe, thrusting the world into a new state of heightened turbulence and volatility. A strong belief in fairness and justice and an unyielding commitment to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the only way to maintain world peace and achieve common development. There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars. Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others.

I always maintain that history should move forward, not backward; and the world should be united, not divided. Humanity must not regress to the law of the jungle. Instead, we should build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Three years ago, we announced together that we would build a China-Central Asia community with a shared future, setting out the goal and direction of our six nations in building consensus, overcoming challenges and pursuing development. We should act on the China-Central Asia Spirit, enhance cooperation with renewed vigor and more practical measures, promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and forge ahead toward our goal of a community with a shared future for the region.

First, we should stay committed to our fundamental goal of unity, and always trust and support each other. China consistently takes Central Asia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. With a firm belief in an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood as well as a strong dedication to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China interacts with Central Asian countries on the basis of equality and sincerity. We always wish our neighbors well.

Today, we will sign together a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to enshrine the principle of everlasting friendship in the form of law. This is a new landmark in the history of the relations between our six countries and a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors. It is a milestone for today and a foundation for tomorrow.

Second, we should optimize our cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient, and more deeply integrated. We have agreed to designate 2025 and 2026 as the Years of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation. We should focus our cooperation on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization and personnel exchanges, and roll out more projects on the ground. We should do our best to get early harvests as soon as possible.

China is ready to share with Central Asian countries development experience and latest technological advances, promote connectivity in digital infrastructure, enhance cooperation on artificial intelligence, and foster new quality productive forces.

In order to promote relevant cooperation, China has decided to establish three cooperation centers, i.e. on poverty reduction, on education exchange, and on desertification prevention and control, as well as a cooperation platform on smooth trade under the China-Central Asia cooperation framework. China will provide a grant of RMB 1.5 billion yuan to Central Asian countries this year to be used in livelihood and development projects high on their agenda. China will also provide 3,000 training opportunities to Central Asian countries in the next two years.

Third, we should develop a security framework for peace, tranquility and solidarity. We should step up regional security governance, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly prevent and thwart extreme ideologies, and resolutely fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, so as to maintain peace and stability in our region.

China supports Central Asian countries in modernizing their national defense, law enforcement and security capacities. We will do our best to help Central Asian countries combat terrorism and transnational organized crime and safeguard cybersecurity and biosecurity. We will launch more Safe City projects, and conduct more joint exercises and joint training cooperation.

Afghanistan is our close neighbor. We should strengthen coordination to help the country boost its development capacity and achieve peace, stability, reconstruction and development at an early date.

Fourth, we should cement the bonds of shared vision, mutual understanding and mutual affection between our peoples. China will enhance cooperation between legislatures, political parties, women, youth, media and think tanks with Central Asian countries, conduct in-depth exchange of governance experience, and share experience in green development, poverty reduction and anti-corruption.

China is ready to set up more cultural centers, university branches and Luban Workshops in Central Asia, and launch new majors in Central Asian languages in Chinese universities. We will continue to carry out effectively the “China-Central Asia technology and skills improvement scheme” to train more high-caliber talent for Central Asian countries.

China supports deepening subnational cooperation with Central Asia. We will make good use of sister-city relations and people-to-people exchanges to nurture heart-to-heart connections at central and subnational levels, between official and non-governmental actors, and from adjacent to broader areas.

I hope that the travel-facilitation measures we adopt today will be implemented as soon as possible to help our people visit each other more conveniently, efficiently and frequently like relatives, and in the course help them become ever closer to each other.

Fifth, we should uphold a fair and equitable international order and an equal and orderly world structure. China supports Central Asian countries in playing a bigger role in international affairs. We stand ready to work with all parties to defend international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In the strenuous times of war, Chinese and Central Asian peoples supported each other through adversity, and jointly made important contributions to the cause of justice of humanity. We should promote the correct view of history, defend the fruits of the victory of World War II, uphold the UN-centered international system, and provide more stability and certainty for world peace and development.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Friends,

China is building a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain unwavering in opening up to the outside world, and embrace higher-quality cooperation with Central Asian countries to deepen the integration of interests and achieve common development.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Friends,

Ancient Chinese philosophy advocates “mutual care and mutual benefit.” Similarly, a Central Asian proverb compares harmony and unity to happiness and wealth. China is ready to work with all parties to carry forward the China-Central Asia Spirit, pursue the goal of a community with a shared future, and strive for new progress in China-Central Asia cooperation.

Thank you. 

Wang Yi meets leading politicians from Uganda, Liberia, Mozambique and other countries

On June 12, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a series of bilateral meetings, for the third consecutive day, with leading politicians from a number of African countries who were in Changsha, Hunan to attend the  Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as well as the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.

Meeting with Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Wang Yi said that Uganda is an important country in Africa and a representative of emerging economies. President Xi Jinping and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have established mutual trust and friendship, providing impetus and assurance for the development of China-Uganda relations. Last autumn, the Beijing Summit of FOCAC was successfully held, and the outcomes of the Summit have already been effectively implemented in Uganda. In the first quarter of this year, Uganda’s exports to China increased by nearly 90 percent year on year.

Wang Yi stated that China and Uganda maintain strategic communication and coordination on international and multilateral affairs and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Africa and the vast number of developing countries. China is willing to work with Uganda and other African brothers and sisters to support and practice multilateralism, oppose unilateral bullying, and safeguard the basic norms governing international relations.

Robinah Nabbanja said that Uganda and China respect and understand each other and keep close communication and contact. She expressed appreciation to China for its long-term and valuable support to Uganda’s infrastructure construction and economic and social development. Uganda and China have achieved remarkable results in cooperation within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the FOCAC.

Meeting with Vice President of Liberia Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Wang Yi extended congratulations on Liberia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. He said that China is ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with Liberia, practice the vision of multilateralism, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, especially African countries. China’s foreign policy remains consistent and stable, and China stands firmly with developing countries and speaks up for small and medium-sized nations.

Jeremiah Kpan Koung said that China is a reliable friend. He expressed appreciation for China’s long-term, selfless support and assistance to Liberia, saying that China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries has brought significant benefits to Liberia. Liberia is willing to work with China to continue implementing the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and advance cooperation in various fields such as maritime affairs, green energy, healthcare, and agriculture. 

Continue reading Wang Yi meets leading politicians from Uganda, Liberia, Mozambique and other countries

China provides a powerful counterexample to the moral rot and immiseration of the capitalist imperial core

The recent Friends of Socialist China delegation to China contributed to a parallel session of the Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilisations, organised by Schwarzman Scholars of Tsinghua University, on the theme of Youth power in dialogue among civilisations.

Creighton Ward, a member of Qiao Collective and of Friends of Socialist China’s US committee, gave the following brief presentation focused on the deteriorating economic, social and political conditions faced by young people in the US, and highlighting all that oppressed and working class communities in the West can learn from Socialist China.

Thank you to the hosts and organizers of this event, I am honored to join you as a representative of Friends of Socialist China and the Qiao Collective. Thank you for your interest in a youth perspective and for convening this dialogue.

The majority of youth in the US, including myself, face a variety of challenges even in the rich imperial core: crumbling infrastructure, the gutting of the administrative state, austerity, the evaporation of pandemic welfare programs and regressive health policies that openly embrace eugenics, skyrocketing rent and food prices, the deregulation of agencies tasked with monitoring food safety and infectious disease.

We are dealing with a social atmosphere of climate nihilism, social atomization to the highest degree, depoliticization, and counterinsurgency.

The imperialist reorganization underway in the second Trump administration has been accompanied by the rapid degradation in quality of life for workers, brazenly genocidal moves domestically and abroad, and a pivot away from the US’ proxy wars in Palestine and Ukraine in preparation for war with China. We should not underestimate the degree of ideological defeat instilled in the western left, or its problems of racial chauvinism and anticommunism.

Yet despite the bleak conditions that youth are confronted with, it is obvious that there have been significant shifts in the global balance of power against US hegemony. We are fortunate to live in a time when the second-largest political party in the world is an experienced and highly capable communist party, and I find myself thinking frequently about how much worse off we would all be if China had not taken the socialist path.

China provides a powerful counterexample to the moral rot and immiseration of the capitalist imperial core. We have much to learn from its antipoverty measures, commitment to building ecological civilization, and autonomous development. Its successes reflect the historical agency of labor in the world’s largest socialist state and the necessity of socialism to restore ecologically harmonious social and economic relations. The Chinese experience demystifies the fact that mass communist politics are the only thing capable of responding to the contradictions of our time.

In the introduction to The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism, Danish communist Torkil Lauesen said,

“To see the struggle for socialism as a long process of global transformation since the mid-nineteenth century is also somehow comforting on a psychological level for an old man. The struggle and suffering of millions of communists and socialists for the past two hundred years have not been in vain…to be part of this process–a tiny cogwheel in the machinery of transformation–and give it a little push in the right direction seems to be ‘the meaning of life.’”

I hope that my generation and those to come find the necessary courage to accept our place in an intergenerational struggle for peace and ecological society.

Xi Jinping commemorates revolutionary forerunner Chen Yun

At a meeting held on June 13 in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for learning from veteran leader Chen Yun and carrying forward his legacy.

Xi, who is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, acclaimed Chen Yun as a great proletarian revolutionary and statesman, and as one of the founding figures of the country’s socialist economy. He was a key member of both the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership with Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core.

Chen was born in 1905 and joined the Party in 1925. He died in 1995 at the age of 90.

Among the key points made by Xi Jinping in his address were:

  • Comrade Chen Yun was a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, and outstanding Marxist, one of the founders and builders of China’s socialist economic construction, an outstanding leader of the party and the country who had been tested for a long time, and an important member of the party’s first-generation central leadership collective with Comrade Mao Zedong at the core and the party’s second-generation central leadership collective with Comrade Deng Xiaoping at the core, who had made major contributions to the development of the cause of the party and the people.
  • Comrade Chen Yun joined the Communist Party of China in 1925, and in his 70-year revolutionary career, he experienced many major events in which our party led the people in revolution, construction, and reform, participated in the formulation and organization of a series of major policy decisions made by the party Central Committee in different historical periods, and devoted his whole life to the development and victory of the new democratic revolution, the establishment and consolidation of China’s socialist system, and the pioneering and development of China’s reform, opening up, and socialist modernization.
  • During the period of the New Democratic Revolution, Comrade Chen Yun threw himself into the workers’ movement in the torrent of the Great Revolution and grew up to become a leader of the workers’ movement in the course of practical struggles. He took part in the Red Army’s Long March, firmly supported Comrade Mao Zedong’s correct propositions at the Zunyi Conference and supported the conference in establishing the correct leadership represented by Comrade Mao Zedong.
  • He participated in the leadership of the liberation of Northeast China and led the Northeast Base Area to take the lead in restoring the economy and supporting the national liberation war. He instructed cadres to “always pay attention to the new situation, new tasks, and new work methods in the new areas” and not to “mechanically apply the old experience of the old liberated areas to the new areas,” thus exploring useful experiences for our party to shift from war to peaceful construction.
  • During the period of socialist revolution and construction, Comrade Chen Yun was appointed to preside over and lead the nation’s financial and economic work at the beginning of the founding of New China, and under the leadership of the party Central Committee, he coordinated the forces from all quarters to win the “economic war” in the fields of grain, cotton, cotton cloth, and coal, and achieved national financial and economic unification in less than a year, stabilized financial prices, and economically consolidated the nascent people’s political power.
  • He opposed impatient and reckless progress in disregard of the actual conditions and the rush to achieve results, discovered the problems brought about by the “Great Leap Forward” at an early stage, participated in the deployment and leadership of the readjustment of the national economy, and paid special attention to solving the problems of agricultural difficulties and food shortages, thus playing an important role in extricating the national economy and the people’s livelihood from their predicament.
  • At a major historical juncture, he resolutely supported the reform and opening up advocated by Comrade Deng Xiaoping and resolutely upheld Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s position as the core of the central leadership collective and the authority of the party Central Committee. He actively promoted the peaceful reversal of unjust, false and wrongly decided cases, put forward important opinions on the drafting of the “Resolution on Several Historical Issues of the Party Since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China,” and supported Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s correct proposition on scientifically establishing Comrade Mao Zedong’s historical status and upholding and developing Mao Zedong Thought.
  • We should learn from Comrade Chen Yun’s lofty spiritual demeanour. He said: “The most pleasant thing for a person is to participate in the revolution and fight for the interests of the people. Anyone who leaves the people and the party cannot accomplish anything.” At critical moments, he always adhered to the correct political position and clearly showed his attitude. When the development of the party’s cause encountered difficulties, he was always able to keep a clear head, put forward unique views on the basis of careful consideration, and came up with effective ways to solve problems.
  • In the new era and new journey, we must strengthen our ideals and beliefs, establish confidence in victory, maintain political determination in the face of chaos and complexity, and not be afraid of clouds to cover our eyes. It is necessary to consciously practice the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, stand firmly on the people’s position, cultivate the feelings of the people, take the mass line of the party in the new era, investigate the people’s feelings, listen to the people’s voices, obey the people’s will, solve the people’s worries, and closely rely on the people to create historical achievements.
  • In the area of being in charge of economic work, Comrade Chen Yun put forward many important viewpoints and major measures and explored effective ways to creatively solve problems and open up the work situation. In the process of presiding over the formulation and implementation of the first five-year plan, he not only paid attention to learning from the experience of the Soviet Union, but also insisted on proceeding from China’s national conditions, making scientific arrangements, and steadily promoting socialist industrialization.
  • After the socialist transformation was basically completed, he actively explored the socialist economic system and economic system that suited the development of China’s productive forces and put forward the idea of “three main bodies and three supplements,” which provided important enlightenment for overcoming the shortcomings of the Soviet model.
  • After the reform and opening up, he profoundly summed up the positive and negative experiences of socialist economic construction and proposed that “the economic construction that our country is carrying out now is socialist economic construction, and the reform of the economic system is also the reform of the socialist economic system”
  • He stressed that vigorously cultivating and selecting tens of thousands of middle-aged and young cadres with both ability and political integrity is a strategic task that determines the future of the party and the country, and it is necessary to persist in combining the old, middle-aged and young cadres, maintain the continuity and stability of the contingent of cadres, and ensure that the party’s leadership is always in the hands of Marxists.
  • He stressed the need to vigorously promote those cadres who have strong party spirit, upright work style, and the courage to uphold principles, and actively support and implement the policy of making the contingent of cadres more revolutionary, younger, more knowledgeable, and more professional.
  • He pointed out: “The Communist Party must uphold party discipline at all times, whether it is working underground or in power.”
  • He put forward the important thesis that “the issue of the party style of the ruling party is an issue related to the life and death of the party,” stressing that “the issue of party style must be tackled with great attention and forever.” In order to maintain the flesh-and-blood ties between the party and the masses of the people, it is necessary to properly resolve the two key issues of earnestly safeguarding the people’s vital interests and resolutely opposing unhealthy tendencies within the party.
  • We should study Comrade Chen Yun’s scientific thinking and work methods. Persisting in seeking truth from facts is a distinctive characteristic of Comrade Chen Yun.
  • He regarded investigation and study as an important prerequisite for policy decision-making, stressing: “Leading organs should devote more than 90 percent of their time to investigation and study in formulating policies.”
  • In the new era and new journey, it is necessary to improve the quality of investigation and study, and through various channels and methods, accurately grasp the new situation, new problems, and new trends in economic and social development, accurately grasp the needs of the grassroots and the expectations of the masses and make policy decisions more in line with reality and the wishes of the masses.

A number of other speakers also addressed the meeting.

Continue reading Xi Jinping commemorates revolutionary forerunner Chen Yun

Chinese Foreign Minister meets his counterparts from South Africa, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea-Bissau and other African countries

Following his June 10 meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his counterparts from South Africa, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Djibouti the following day in Changsha, Hunan.

Meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Wang Yi said that the foreign ministers of the two countries have met four times in a year, demonstrating the close ties between China and South Africa and the high level of China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. China and South Africa are good friends with shared ideals and good partners for mutual benefit and win-win results, and the friendship between the two countries has grown stronger over time. China and South Africa are major developing countries with common experiences and shared pursuits. The more complex the situation and the sharper the challenges, the more the two countries should unite and cooperate, and strive for self-reliance and strength. China is happy to see South Africa play a greater role on the international and regional stage, and supports South Africa in fulfilling its duties as the G20 presidency.

The previous day, Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun met with the visiting Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya in Beijing.

Admiral Dong Jun praised that the traditional friendship between China and South Africa has endured over time and forged a special bond of “comrades and brothers” through the tests of the international situation. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, cooperation between the two militaries in various fields has flourished. “China is willing to work with South Africa to practice the true multilateralism and jointly oppose the hegemony, bullying, power politics, and division and confrontation,” stressed Admiral Dong, adding that both sides should enhance exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, optimise cooperation mechanisms, expand pragmatic cooperation, and promote deeper, wider mil-to-mil relations, so as to contribute more to building a high-level community with a shared future for China and South Africa.

General Maphwanya appreciated the Chinese military’s long-standing strong support and assistance to the SANDF.

The 10th meeting of the China-South Africa Defence Committee took place in Beijing on the same day. Both parties expressed commitment to further explore cooperation prospects, broadening cooperation areas, and enhancing levels of collaboration under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders. They agreed to continuously enrich the all-round strategic cooperative partnership for the new era between China and South Africa, thereby making a positive contribution to maintaining international and regional security and stability.

The South China Morning Post reported that the “solidarity pledge to South African general comes after Washington’s controversial move to fast-track asylum for 59 white Afrikaners.” It described China’s defence minister as stressing that their historical links were rooted in China’s support for the African National Congress (ANC) during the apartheid era. The report added:

“Maphwanya thanked China for its long-standing support for the development of South Africa’s military, calling the Chinese military a ‘sincere friend and partner’.

“‘South Africa values its friendship with China and looks forward to closer cooperation in joint drills, military education, personnel training and maritime security,” Maphwanya was quoted as saying.

“Visits to China by South African military officials are not uncommon, but the timing has drawn attention due to growing scrutiny over Pretoria’s geopolitical alignments.”

Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad of Burkina Faso Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Wang Yi said that since the resumption of diplomatic relations seven years ago, China and Burkina Faso have fully restored bilateral relations, contributing to the national development and economic growth of Burkina Faso, bringing tangible benefits to the Burkinabe people. Facts have proven that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Burkina Faso fully serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Burkina Faso and its people. China consistently upholds the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and respects the choices made by the Burkinabe people. China will continue to support Burkina Faso in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and driven by self-reliance. China is ready to consolidate mutual trust and friendship with Burkina Faso, enhance the exchange of governance experience, and provide support and assistance within its capacity for Burkina Faso’s development and revitalisation.

Continue reading Chinese Foreign Minister meets his counterparts from South Africa, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea-Bissau and other African countries

Wang Yi meets his counterparts from Angola, Namibia and other African countries

Over a period of three days, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from numerous African countries in the margins of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as well as the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, both held in Changsha, Hunan.

On June 10, Wang met with ministers from Angola, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana and Kenya.

Meeting with Minister of External Relations of Angola Téte António, Wang Yi said that last autumn, President Xi Jinping announced the ten partnership actions to support Africa’s revitalisation at the Beijing Summit of FOCAC. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, this initiative has already yielded notable early results. At present, unilateralism and protectionism are making a comeback, free trade and international rules are suffering serious setbacks, and developing countries are facing severe challenges. China firmly stands with the Global South, especially African countries, to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system and safeguard international fairness and justice. China will continue to support Angola in fulfilling its responsibilities as the rotating chair of the African Union (AU). China supports Angola’s efforts to advance national development and is ready to share China’s development opportunities with Angola, expand cooperation in various fields such as agricultural modernisation, healthcare, and human resources training, and support Angola in accelerating its industrialisation process.

Téte António said that Hunan is the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China. Many African people came to learn about Hunan through him, which has facilitated mutually beneficial cooperation with Hunan. Angola and China share a profound traditional friendship and have close ties. Upholding a spirit of solidarity, both sides have made fruitful progress in bilateral relations, and friendship with China has become a consensus among all sectors in Angola. The FOCAC mechanism is becoming increasingly mature, and Angola looks forward to working with China to implement the outcomes of the summit. Angola supports the series of important global initiatives proposed by China and is willing to enhance multilateral coordination with China, fulfil its responsibilities as the AU rotating chair, correct historical injustice, and uphold fairness and justice.

Following the meeting, the two sides issued a joint press communiqué.

According to the communiqué, China reiterates its firm support for the Angolan people to independently choose a development path suited to their national conditions, and for Angola to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty, security and interests. The Angolan side reiterates its firm adherence to the one-China principle, recognises that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence”, and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

The two sides agreed that the development of human rights is the common cause of all humanity, and that the right to subsistence and development are the primary basic human rights, and that human rights exchanges and cooperation should be carried out on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment. Respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states are the basic norms governing international relations.

The world is undergoing changes in a century at an accelerated pace. China and Angola are committed to promoting greater representation and voice of the Global South in the international system. The two sides are ready to work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, carry out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and jointly build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world featuring lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. China and Angola are ready to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, promote global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, resolutely abandon the law of the jungle, oppose hegemonism, power politics and all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and contribute to promoting lasting peace and development in the world.

Meeting with Minister of International Relations and Trade of Namibia Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Wang Yi said that at the beginning of this year, he, as Chinese foreign minister continued the friendly tradition of making Africa the destination of the first overseas visit in the new year, with Namibia as the first stop. This demonstrates China’s high regard for China-Namibia relations and its sincere commitment to strengthening China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

China is ready to work with Namibia to carry forward the fine tradition of mutual trust, mutual support and sincerity, solidify the political foundation of bilateral relations and inject new vitality into China-Namibia friendship in the new era. The two sides should seek greater synergy of development strategies and upgrade mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as energy and mining, nuclear energy, smart cities, agricultural technology, and vocational education and training, to support Namibia in increasing industrial added value, accelerating industrialisation, and delivering greater benefits to the Namibian people.

Wang Yi said that the 21st century is the century of joint development and revitalisation for Asia and Africa. This Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators will demonstrate the strong resolve of China and Africa to advance their respective modernisation, showcase the powerful strength of China-Africa solidarity, and send a strong message of the two sides’ joint commitment to upholding international fairness and justice. As important members of the Global South, China and Namibia should enhance coordination, overcome external interference, and jointly resist unilateralism and protectionism in the face of an increasingly uncertain and unstable international landscape, so as to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South.

Continue reading Wang Yi meets his counterparts from Angola, Namibia and other African countries

Nicaragua and China break ground on landmark solar project to power water access and energy sovereignty

The following report in Telesur notes that Nicaragua, in partnership with China, has inaugurated construction on the country’s largest solar plant to date, powering water systems, cutting energy costs, and deepening South-South cooperation on infrastructure for social good. The plant marks “a strategic leap toward energy independence, climate resilience, and universal access to clean water”.

According to the article, the Enesolar-3 photovoltaic facility in Masaya, funded with $83 million of Chinese investment, is set to supply renewable energy to the country’s water utility, ENACAL, directly benefiting nearly 4 million people across urban and rural communities.

Framed as more than just an infrastructure project, Enesolar-3 is part of a broader initiative by the Sandinista government to expand renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and ensure access to public utilities as a basic human right.

Laureano Ortega Murillo, presidential advisor for investment and international cooperation, stated at the the cornerstone ceremony that “this is our Sandinista Popular Revolution delivering works of progress, development, dignity, and peace for the Nicaraguan people—together with our brothers from the People’s Republic of China”.

When construction is complete, Enesolar-3 will be Nicaragua’s largest green solar power plant.

China’s ambassador to Nicaragua, Chen Xi, “reaffirmed China’s support for Nicaragua’s development and praised the South-South partnership as one rooted in equality, sovereignty, and mutual respect”.

Nicaragua has inaugurated construction on a major solar power plant in partnership with China, marking a strategic leap toward energy independence, climate resilience, and universal access to clean water. Funded by an $83 million investment from Beijing, the Enesolar-3 photovoltaic facility in Nindirí, Masaya, is set to supply renewable energy to the country’s water utility, ENACAL, directly benefiting nearly 4 million people across urban and rural communities.

Continue reading Nicaragua and China break ground on landmark solar project to power water access and energy sovereignty

Strangers When We Meet: A nuanced projection of life on the edge in today’s China

Friends of Socialist China was invited to the Tiantan Award Panorama, a Chinese Film Event, presented by the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF).

This week-long journey through six exceptional Chinese films – powerful dramas, emotional stories, and thought-provoking themes that reflect the vibrant and evolving landscape of the country’s cinema – was held from May 10-17, at the Genesis Cinema in East London.

In the below review, Alfie Howis, a writer and activist based in London, looks at an emotional, quasi-romantic drama featuring two ex-prisoners entwined in a somewhat toxic relationship with a precipitous age gap and diverging visions of marriage.

Strangers When We Meet is a 2024 film by Zhang Guoli, starring Fan Wei and Zhou Dongyu. I had the pleasure of viewing this film in London as part of the Beijing International Film Festival’s international screenings. It is an emotional, quasi-romantic drama featuring two ex-prisoners entwined in a somewhat toxic relationship with a precipitous age gap and diverging visions of marriage. The plot is well paced and doesn’t feel rushed despite the hairpin twists and turns, while the high-quality, beautiful cinematography shows the technical and artistic prowess of contemporary Chinese cinema.

Warning: spoilers below

What struck me about this film was its non-judgemental and sympathetic approach to its central characters despite their backgrounds. Lao Qin, Zhou Dongyu’s character and Chang Juan, Fan Wei’s character, are both revealed to have been in prison for murder. The opening section of the film features the end of Lao Qin’s time in prison and his release, where he is treated kindly by prison guards and told that it doesn’t matter what he did now that he is free. He gets back on his feet, finding an apartment and trying to work, tasks all of which seem to be relatively easy and unaffected by his rather long stint in prison that just ended. Although emotionally Lao casts a downtrodden image, it is not as a result of any discrimination he faces as an ex-prisoner. Similarly, when Chang Juan goes missing in the mid to late section of the film, the prison authorities have a great concern for her wellbeing and work with Lao Qin to try and find her – there is no hint of disdain or inhumanity when dealing with such serious ex-criminals. On the contrary, they are generally humanised and treated normally, not overly sympathised, coddled, or patronised, but treated as people just trying to get by despite their hard circumstances.

The approach to wealth and its utility is complex and goes far beyond a basic consumerist ideology, despite one of the central themes being that Lao Qin comes into a large sum of state compensation from the demolition of his family home. Chang Juan is more attached to excessive consumption, buying expensive clothes with Lao Qin’s money and pushing for various reckless and self-indulgent spending decisions. While this is softly mocked and an object of comedy in the plot, it turns out to be a broader feint of Chang Juan’s character, as her ultimate goal is to abscond with a chunk of the money to pay off the innocent victim of a crime she committed. This is ultimately a noble goal, and even at times took on a feminist character as Chang Juan uses the patriarchal marriage system, with its bride cost, to right the wrongs of her crime.

Continue reading Strangers When We Meet: A nuanced projection of life on the edge in today’s China

China and Africa consolidate dynamic partnership

On June 11, 2025, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Changsha, capital of China’s Hunan Province.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony and read out the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping. Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the current African co-chair of the FOCAC, read out the congratulatory letter from President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has strongly driven the flourishing development of China-Africa cooperation and become a model for solidarity and cooperation in the Global South. Through the entry into agreements on economic partnership for shared development, China implements zero-tariff measures of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines, and facilitates greater access for exports from Africa’s least developed countries to China.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso pledged to make all-out efforts and work unwaveringly with President Xi Jinping to make greater progress in building an Africa-China community with a shared future and to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides. As the African co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo will work with China and other Global South countries to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly build a multipolar world free from unilateralism and protectionism, and usher in a new era of universally beneficial and inclusive globalisation.

Wang Yi said that since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has grown rapidly, driving China-Africa relations to achieve leapfrog development and ushering in their best period in history. The FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September last year marked the beginning of a new journey for jointly building a China-Africa community with a shared future. Guided by the consensus reached at the summit, China and Africa have actively implemented the ten partnership actions and achieved new, encouraging outcomes. Strategic mutual trust between China and Africa has become stronger, practical cooperation has been increasingly deepened, and multilateral coordination has become closer. Facts have proved that China-Africa cooperation has a solid foundation, extensive demands, and enormous potential, and is brimming with vigour and vitality. When China and Africa stand shoulder to shoulder, the development and revitalisation of the Global South will be more promising, and international fairness and justice will be more guaranteed.

The Chinese Foreign Minister emphasised that China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent home to the largest number of developing countries, together form the backbone of the Global South. The more complex and turbulent the international landscape becomes, the more imperative it is for China and Africa to uphold solidarity and self-reliance, stand firmly on the right side of history, actively steer the course of the times, and respond to uncertainties in the world with the stability and resilience of China-Africa relations.

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Don’t believe the New Cold War lies, China is leading the world in climate solutions

In the following article for Liberation News, Tina Landis – author of the book Climate Solutions Beyond Capitalism – argues that recent trend of placing blame for the climate crisis on China is incorrect and ahistorical. While it’s true that China currently emits more carbon dioxide than any other countries, this statistic ignores critical context: China manufactures 30 percent of the world’s goods and houses nearly 18 percent of its population. On a per capita and consumption-based level, US emissions are significantly higher. Meanwhile, the US’s outsourcing of production – and thereby pollution – to China is rarely acknowledged.

China’s centrally planned socialist system has enabled rapid and large-scale action on environmental issues. Since the early 2000s, China has embedded ecological goals into its national development strategies. It has implemented stringent environmental impact assessments, halted major polluting projects, and dramatically improved air quality. By 2021, particulate pollution dropped by 42 percent. The country still uses fossil fuels but is aggressively expanding renewables: by mid-2024, wind and solar capacity surpassed coal, and China is on track to reach its ambitious renewable energy goals ahead of time.

China leads globally in electric vehicles and public transit electrification, producing 60 percent of the world’s electric vehicles and 90 percent of electric buses. It also has by far the world’s most extensive high-speed rail network. What’s more, these sustainable development projects have not resulted in poverty; indeed they have helped to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty.

Massive ecological restoration efforts such as as taking place in the Loess Plateau, the vast afforestation projects, and the construction of sponge cities have all contributed to improving biodiversity and climate resilience. The Belt and Road Initiative exports this model of green development abroad.

Tina concludes that such extraordinary progress is only possible within a context of socialism, urging readers in the West to reject anti-China narratives and learn from China’s example.

These types of large scale projects inside and outside of China can only be achieved under a centralised, socialist planned economy. Here in the heart of empire, we need to see past the demonisation campaigns that are meant to win our support for U.S. war with China, and instead learn from the ecologically sustainable development efforts that they are leading.

At the time of the 1949 revolution, China was largely an agrarian society with widespread poverty, famine and lack of infrastructure. Rapid development over several decades resulted in a significant rise in pollution in China. 

The U.S. mainstream media never addresses the outsourcing of production to China and thus the outsourcing of pollution. Rarely are emissions accounted for based on where goods are produced versus where those goods are consumed, or population size of a country relative to emissions levels. If you take a snapshot of emissions today and ignore population and consumption of goods, China does have the highest carbon emissions with the U.S. coming in second. But China produces 30% of the world’s goods and accounts for 17.7% of global population, while the U.S. is the largest consumer of Chinese goods globally and accounts for 4.3% of global population.

When you look at per capita emissions of each country, as well as per capita consumption-based emissions, the U.S. is responsible for a much larger portion of global emissions than China. 

Continue reading Don’t believe the New Cold War lies, China is leading the world in climate solutions

China will continue to be a stabilising force for peace and progress

From May 13-14, the Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD), which works under the direction of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC) hosted the Fourth Wanshou Dialogue on Global Security, themed as “Universal Security in a Turbulent World: The Responsibility of Major Countries”. Liu Jianchao, Minister of the IDCPC, attended the event and delivered a keynote speech.

More than 50 international security experts from over 30 countries, including Pino Arlacchi, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Andrey Kortunov, former director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, Benny Octaviar, former head of the Indonesian Military Research Centre, Douglas Bandow, a special assistant to former US president Ronald Reagan and a senior research fellow at the Cato Institute, and Zizi Kodwa, a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) and former Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, attended the event.

The participants held in-depth discussions around four topics, namely Pressing Issues of Global Security, The Responsibility of Major Countries Amidst Once in a Century Transformations, Major Country Relations and Security in the Asia Pacific and Pathways to Universal Security.

Friends of Socialist China was invited to participate in the dialogue and we were ably represented by Dr. Jenny Clegg, a Member of our Advisory Group, who is the author of ‘China’s Global Strategy: Towards a Multipolar World’, a Vice President of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU) and a leading member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and the Stop the War Coalition.

We reproduce below Jenny’s report of the event as well as the text of her speech, which was delivered to the panel session on Major Country Relations and Security in the Asia Pacific.

We also reprint the report of the opening session which was originally carried on the IDCPC website.

The CPAPD website carried a brief report on the event as well as a meeting with Peng Qinghua, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).

Labour Outlook also carried an article, based in part on Jenny’s speech.

Continue reading China will continue to be a stabilising force for peace and progress

Belarus President pays ‘family visit’ to China

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko paid his 15th visit to China, June 2-4.

On the morning of June 4, President Xi Jinping met with Lukashenko at Zhongnanhai, the compound in central Beijing where the top Chinese leadership live and work.

Xi Jinping congratulated Aleksandr Lukashenko again on his reelection as President of Belarus. Xi pointed out that China and Belarus are true friends and good partners. The two countries have always treated each other with sincerity and engaged each other with trust. Noting that China and Belarus share enduring traditional friendship, unshakable political mutual trust and comprehensively advancing cooperation in all fields, Xi Jinping said China always views and develops its relations with Belarus from a strategic and long-term perspective. China is ready to work with Belarus to ensure the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides should further strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, jointly oppose hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts, and uphold international fairness and justice.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that this is his 15th visit to China, and on each occasion, he has truly felt the profound friendship extended by the Chinese side. Belarus thanked China for its long-standing strong support and assistance and has high-degree trust in China. Belarus will remain committed to developing its relations with China and actively advancing cooperation with China. In international affairs, China has firmly upheld multilateralism, opposed unilateralism and sanctions and pressure, and set an example for the world. Belarus deeply admires this and is willing to work with China to jointly defend international fairness and justice.

The Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) reported that main event of Lukashenko’s visit was his meeting with Xi Jinping, which was held for the first time at the Chinese leader’s home – at the Zhongnanhai residence. This is a sign of special favour and friendship between the heads of state.

“My office is literally next door. This is the first time I receive you here,” Xi Jinping said during the meeting.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, in turn, that he greatly appreciates the friendly attitude of his Chinese counterpart: “Enough to say that you have invited me to your home. I am very grateful to you and, naturally, I invite you to my home.

“I am still surprised and amazed by the way you treat your guests, although this is my 15th time in China and I have been cooperating with your country for 30 years already. Believe me, this is a widely shared opinion. We discuss it with other presidents, especially leaders of the post-Soviet republics. We have the same opinion about it. And we don’t take it for granted; we appreciate it very much.” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

According to BeLTA, Xi Jinping emphasized that neither Belarus nor China will ever bow to any international hegemony or yield to the policy of bullying. “Together, we defend international justice and equality.”

“You have very correctly identified the main trend of our time – the West’s unprecedented pressure on us, primarily on the People’s Republic of China. And today the eyes of many countries, including Belarus, are on you – Beijing,” the Belarusian leader emphasised.

Five years ago people would say: “If China holds out, the world will be balanced and will go on. Today they are already saying: ‘China has held out, China will not allow the world order to be broken’. Many nations strongly believe in this. I have heard this from the heads of state with whom I have met.”

Xi Jinping has also invited Lukashenko to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and a parade in Beijing that will take place in late August – early September this year, BelTA reports.

Continue reading Belarus President pays ‘family visit’ to China

China strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Iran

China has strongly condemned the most recent acts of Israeli aggression against Iran.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing on June 13, Ambassador Fu Cong said:

“China condemns Israel’s actions that violate Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of tensions and the expansion of conflicts, and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the Israeli operations.”

He added: “We oppose the use of force and illegal unilateral sanctions and oppose armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities. As a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be fully respected.”

Drawing the necessary connection to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, Fu Cong concluded:

“Gaza has been subjected to prolonged attacks and blockades, with over two million people trapped in an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The international community should work together to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, deescalate the regional situation, and effectively curb the spread of conflict. The country with significant influence over Israel should effectively play a constructive role. The Security Council should make full use of all the means conferred on it by the Charter to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions and to play its due role in maintaining regional peace and security.”

The following day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

Araghchi thanked China for its consistent understanding and support of Iran’s position and expressed confidence that China will play an even more important role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Wang said that China condemns Israel’s violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and firmly opposes the reckless attacks targeting Iranian officials and causing civilian casualties. China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people, he said, adding that Israel’s actions seriously violate the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. In particular, Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities have set a dangerous precedent with potentially catastrophic consequences.

The Xinhua News Agency also reported that Wang held a telephone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar the same day, in which he stressed that China firmly opposes Israel’s use of force against Iran in violation of international law.

Slightly more detailed read outs of Wang Yi’s conversations with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry may be read here and here.

The following articles were originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN and by the Xinhua News Agency.

Remarks on the Situation in the Middle East by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Briefing

President, 

Thank you for convening this emergency meeting. I thank Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for their briefings. 

Early this morning, Israel launched large-scale attacks on multiple targets in Iran, causing damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and casualties. The Israeli side said that its military operations would last as many days as it takes. China condemns Israel’s actions that violate Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of tensions and the expansion of conflicts, and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the Israeli operations. The abrupt heating-up of the region serves no one’s interests. We urge Israel to immediately cease all military adventurism and avoid further escalating tensions. We call on all relevant parties to abide by the UN Charter and international law, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability. 

Continue reading China strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Iran

China and Africa issue powerful declaration on Global South solidarity and cooperation

The China-Africa Changsha Declaration – signed between the People’s Republic of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission on 11 June at the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Changsha, Hunan – affirmed that:

  • All countries of the Global South should work together to safeguard multilateralism, promote multipolarity and oppose unilateralism and bullying.
  • The US’s tariffs, unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying are severely damaging to Africa and must be opposed.
  • China will expand its zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China (that is, all African countries except for Eswatini).
  • China will continue actively contributing to Africa’s modernisation, including in green energy, AI, science and technology.
  • All countries should work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, promote Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative.

The declaration is a strong reaffirmation of the principles of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit that underpin China’s relations with Africa, and a powerful statement against the US’s attempts to divide the Global South.

It highlights the fact that, while the US is putting up tariff barriers, China is tearing them down; that while the US has slashed development aid, China is steadily increasing its support for African development. It clearly puts forward China’s strong support for Africa’s modernisation and sustainable development.

We are pleased to republish the full text of the statement below. The text was first published in English on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will be publishing further material on this important development in due course.

We, the representatives of the People’s Republic of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission, guided by the consensus reached by our leaders during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), gathered in Changsha to advance the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.

I. We agree that the rise and growth of the Global South represents the trend of the times and the future of development. China and Africa are both important members of and staunch forces in the Global South. We call on all countries, especially countries in the Global South, to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. We commend the initiative of jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era for its positive significance in safeguarding solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and defending multilateralism.

Continue reading China and Africa issue powerful declaration on Global South solidarity and cooperation

Wang Yi meets counterparts from Asia, Africa and Europe

During his visit to Hong Kong, to attend the founding ceremony of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a number of meetings on May 30 with his counterparts from Asian, African and European countries, who were attending the same event.

Meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Wang Yi noted their joint attendance at the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed in the morning. Laos has actively participated in the establishment of the IOMed and is among the first to sign the Convention, making significant contributions, which China appreciates.

Wang Yi said that China and Laos, sharing common ideals and standing together through thick and thin, always treat each other with sincerity and offer mutual support. Under the strategic guidance of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future has steadily advanced, demonstrating the broad prospects of the development of relations between the two Parties and two countries. China is ready to work with Laos, focusing on implementing the important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, to deepen strategic cooperation, foster new drivers of cooperation, enhance coordination and collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels, jointly resist unilateralism and bullying acts, uphold multilateralism and international fairness and justice, and advance the China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level.

The Lao side expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing and firm support, and expressed the willingness to implement the important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, strengthen exchanges at all levels, advance cooperation projects such as the Laos-China-Thailand Railway, and work for more outcomes in building the Laos-China community with a shared future.

Meeting with Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Amon Murwira, Wang Yi noted that Zimbabwe has actively participated in the establishment of the IOMed, and today it was among the first to sign the Convention and became a founding member. China congratulates Zimbabwe on this. The IOMed is an important public good in the field of the rule of law that embodies the purposes of the United Nations Charter. It was jointly initiated by countries of the Global South and reflects the common aspirations of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized nations.

In September last year, President Xi Jinping and President Emmerson Mnangagwa provided new strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Zimbabwe friendship has withstood the test of the evolving international landscape and remained rock-solid. China has always viewed the development of China-Zimbabwe relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, supports Zimbabwe in safeguarding its own interests and opposes external interference. China is ready to work with Zimbabwe to maintain high-level strategic mutual trust, continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning their respective core interests, strengthen exchanges of governance experience, advance cooperation in various fields in a coordinated manner, and guide China-Zimbabwe relations toward steady and sustained development.

Amon Murwira said that Zimbabwe is willing to play an active role in promoting the settlement of disputes through peaceful and mutually respectful means. The friendship between Zimbabwe and China is profound. The Zimbabwean side will never forget the firm support given by China during Zimbabwe’s efforts to strive for national independence, safeguard national sovereignty and oppose Western sanctions. Zimbabwe is grateful for the valuable support China has provided for its economic and social development. Zimbabwe firmly abides by the one-China principle, supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the series of global initiatives and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation proposed by China, and stands ready to continue to firmly support each other and work closely with China to build a closer Zimbabwe-China community with a shared future.

Meeting with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Wang Yi said, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritania. Over the past 60 years, the two sides have always treated each other with mutual respect and equality, setting an example of mutual support, mutual benefit and win-win results between developing countries. During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September last year, President Xi Jinping and President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Mauritania to fully deliver on the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship, consolidate unity and cooperation, jointly maintain peace and stability in the Sahel region, and constantly create new prospects for the development of the China-Mauritania strategic partnership.

Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug said that the friendly relations between Mauritania and China are solid. China is a true strategic partner of Mauritania. Mauritania is ready to work with China to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations.

Meeting with Beninese Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari, Wang Yi said, Benin is China’s strategic partner in Africa. The important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and President Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon as well as the various measures proposed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are being steadily implemented. The political mutual trust between the two countries has deepened continuously, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. China is ready to work with Benin to deliver on the ten partnership actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernisation, accelerate the process of common development, and continuously promote greater development of China-Benin strategic partnership.

Shegun Adjadi Bakari said, Benin is honoured to be one of the first signatories of the IOMed, which stems from the strategic partnership between Benin and China. Both sides share similar philosophies, uphold multilateralism, and advocate for dialogue and consultation to resolve conflicts and disputes. Benin will accelerate the ratification of the Convention and strive for the prompt operation of the IOMed to bring more stability to the world, which is of great significance to the African continent. China is a great friend and a reliable and important partner of Benin.

Meeting with Cameroonian Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Wang Yi said that China and Cameroon enjoy a traditional friendship, and the bilateral relations have stood the test of time. China appreciates Cameroon’s consistent and firm support on issues concerning China’s core interests and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels between the two sides, deepen practical cooperation, and help Cameroon achieve better development.

Lejeune Mbella Mbella said that Cameroon cherishes its traditional friendship and partnership with China and appreciates China’s effective cooperation with Cameroon in fields such as energy, health, and infrastructure, which has made significant contributions to Cameroon’s national development. Regardless of changes in the international situation, Cameroon will remain committed to the one-China principle.

Meeting with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Wang Yi said that China is ready to work with Pakistan and like-minded countries to promote the unique advantages of the IOMed, so as to provide countries with a new, voluntary and efficient option for dispute resolution, and offer a new platform for Global South nations to safeguard peace, stability, fairness and justice.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that China’s initiative to establish the IOMed is timely and represents an important contribution to strengthening the multilateral system. The informal trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan was recently held successfully in Beijing. Pakistan has decided to accept China’s mediation proposal and upgrade its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan to the ambassadorial level. Pakistan fully supports China in hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin and will further deepen all-round cooperation between the two sides.

Wang Yi stated that Pakistan’s upgrading of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan will help improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, enhance mutual trust, and strengthen cooperation. China is ready to work with Pakistan to deepen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support Pakistan’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in July and its contribution to international peace and security.

Meeting with Nepali Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, Wang Yi said that China appreciates Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba’s special trip to Hong Kong to attend the ceremony and looks forward to Nepal’s early accession to the IOMed, making joint contribution to the improvement of global governance.

He added that China and Nepal are traditionally friendly neighbours. China has always placed Nepal in an important position in its neighbourhood diplomacy. In December last year, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli successfully paid an official visit to China. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, and the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity between the two countries faces new opportunities for growth. China is ready to summarise successful experiences with Nepal, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and jointly create a better and more glorious China-Nepal relationship for the next 70 years.

Arzu Rana Deuba congratulated China on the successful signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed and said that it is an ideal choice to have the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong. Nepal-China relations are based on friendship, equality, and respect. She expressed gratitude for the valuable assistance provided by the Chinese side to Nepal’s national development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods over the years. Nepal firmly abides by the one-China principle, supports the policy of “One Country, Two Systems”, and will never allow any force to use Nepal’s territory to engage in activities that harm China’s interests. Nepal is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China, deepen practical cooperation, and promote better development of Nepal-China relations.

Meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Wang Yi said that the Foreign Minister’s special trip to Hong Kong to attend the event demonstrated both his personal and Switzerland’s support for the establishment of the IOMed. It also reflected Switzerland’s positive attitude as a neutral country in practicing multilateralism and supporting the resolution of differences through dialogue and consultation. The Chinese side commends Switzerland for leveraging its role as a “bridge-builder” in international affairs and looks forward to working with the Swiss side to enhance communication, collaboration and experience sharing in areas such as dispute resolution through the new platform of the IOMed.

He added that the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong has effectively promoted social stability and economic development in the region. Wang expressed the hope that Switzerland will deepen exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong across various fields to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. He also introduced the recent high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs between China and the United States in Geneva and expressed appreciation for the facilitation provided by Switzerland.

Continue reading Wang Yi meets counterparts from Asia, Africa and Europe