China is Africa’s most reliable companion, reckon JIANG FENG and

 YU DUNHAI

Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege of a few. Recently, Chinese Premier Li Qiang solemnly declared at the high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative hosted by China at the United Nations Headquarters that China as a responsible major developing country, will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO. This is a proactive step that China takes in support of the multilateral trading system, and a significant move to implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Governance Initiative.

The tariff wars initiated by the United States have seriously undermined global trade and economic order, posing serious challenges to the development of all countries, especially in the Global South. As the world’s second-largest economy, China actively defends the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, firmly upholds the multilateral trading system, so that it can better focus on development issues and help bridge the development gap between the Global North and South. As the largest developing country and the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries in the world respectively, China and Africa are both vital members of the Global South. China is willing to work with Africa to effectively implement the Global Development Initiative and to be the most reliable companion on Africa’s path to development.

China practices the principle of inclusive and universal benefits through an open market, expanding vast space for Africa’s development. A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization is vital for developing countries. Some developed countries are unwilling to fulfill their commitments on development financing and have even withdrawn funding from international development institutions.

At the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit held last September, President Xi Jinping announced zero tariff treatment on products with 100% tariff lines for all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries. In June this year, China extended the zero-tariff treatment to cover 100% of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China. From January to July 2025, China’s imports from Africa’s least developed countries reached 39.66 billion USD, with a year-on-year increase of 10.2%.

The facts prove that China’s proactive unilateral market opening measures will strongly drive the industrial development, promote employment growth and accelerate poverty reduction in Africa.

China shares advanced and practical technology to strengthen the core support for Africa’s innovative development. In a context where global technological barriers are increasingly prominent and key resources are concentrated in a few developed countries and multinational tech giants, “Intelligent Manufacturing in China” has enriched global supply, making previously inaccessible technology available.

At the AI Action Summit held in Paris in February, China signed the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet together with other 60 countries and international organizations. Represented by Deepseek, Chinese AI models have broken the monopoly of Western tech giants through open-source modes, initiating an “AI democratization” process. 

The supply of China’s advanced and practical technology promotes bridging the digital and artificial intelligence gaps, further empowering African industries and people, providing transformative power to Africa’s leapfrog development.

China provides green transition solutions to support a long-term future for Africa’s sustainable development. Possessing the world’s richest green resources such as solar and wind power, Africa remains one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. China actively shares green transition solutions with Africa. The Blue Line built by a Chinese company provides green and convenient public transportation to Lagos residents. Major projects built by Chinese enterprises, such as Morocco’s Noor III and II Concentrated Solar Power Project and South Africa’s De Aar Wind Power Project, have illuminated millions of homes across Africa and lit the path to sustainable development. China’s new energy vehicles are rapidly entering the African market, offering new options to improve urban air quality.

China’s green development solutions have helped Africa avoid the old path of “polluting first, cleanup later” at the early stage of its industrialization, paving the way toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

China supplies quality and affordable products to firmly support African livelihoods. From home appliances and clothing that improve the quality of life, to smartphones and base station equipment ensuring communication, as well as machinery and transport equipment supporting infrastructure development, “Made in China” is becoming deeply and comprehensively integrated into the daily lives of the African people.

These Chinese products meet Africans’ pursuit of better life while effectively reducing the cost of improving livelihoods and industrial development, providing a foundation for meeting basic needs and improving life quality, thus injecting sustained momentum into Africa’s economic and social development.

In his speech on the African Union Day, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, called for building an Africa where every African can thrive in dignity and hope. China firmly believes that global prosperity and stability cannot be achieved when the rich get richer and the poor poorer. Regardless of international uncertainties, China will uphold the UN-centered international system, stick to multilateralism and free trade, strive to build an open world economy, and provide robust support for Africa’s development as a true friend walking hand in hand on Africa’s path to development .

Ambassador Feng is Head of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the African Union and Representative of China to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa while Dunhai is Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria

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