Changsha Declaration: China and Africa Establish a Lasting Alliance and a Unified Vision for a Shared Future

ALDAR/

In the Chinese city of Changsha, representatives of the People’s Republic of China, 53 African countries, and the African Union Commission gathered to reaffirm their joint commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership within the framework of the Global South, based on the consensus reached at the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit held in Beijing.

The participants emphasized that the rise of the Global South has become an irreversible trajectory in shaping the future of global development. In this context, China and African countries see themselves as key pillars of this bloc, calling for a shared future for humanity through equitable cooperation based on inclusive development initiatives such as the “Belt and Road Initiative,” the “Global Development Initiative,” and the “Global Civilization Initiative.”

The declaration addressed the economic and social challenges posed by unilateral and protectionist policies adopted by some global powers, which have directly harmed the development paths of African and other developing nations. The signatories stressed that confronting these policies requires greater coordination among Global South countries to promote global economic justice.

The document criticized attempts by certain countries — particularly the United States — to impose tariffs that undermine the international trade system, calling for a return to dialogue and consultation to resolve trade disputes in line with the principles of mutual respect and equal treatment. It also urged the international community to prioritize the development challenges facing African nations and to increase financial and technical support for them.

African countries praised China’s firm stance in defending international justice and a rules-based trading system, while Beijing commended Africa’s unity in the face of external pressures. It affirmed that unilateral concessions do not foster genuine respect but instead damage the credibility of international cooperation.

The signatories called for genuine multilateralism through broad consultation, collective contribution, and shared benefits, stressing the need to reform the global order to make it more balanced and inclusive, thereby enhancing opportunities for trade, investment, and fair financing in favor of Global South nations.

The declaration underlined the importance of upholding the principle of equality among states, regardless of their size or power, and reaffirmed support for the legitimate rights of every country. It called for cooperation based on mutual understanding and described the China–Africa partnership as a model of stability in an increasingly uncertain world.

Both sides agreed to implement six priorities to accelerate modernization in Africa, including the expansion of the previously announced ten partnerships and support for the African Union’s second ten-year implementation plan for Agenda 2063. The goal is to build a cohesive China–Africa community based on solidarity and mutual reliance.

China announced its readiness to expand tariff exemptions to cover 100% of tariff lines for all African countries maintaining diplomatic ties with Beijing—except Eswatini—while also adopting supportive measures in areas such as market access, inspection, customs, and facilitation of high-quality African exports.

China also expressed its desire to strengthen cooperation with African countries in strategic fields such as green industry, e-commerce, digital payments, and artificial intelligence, in addition to enhancing cooperation in security, finance, and law to ensure the quality and sustainability of joint development projects.

The declaration concluded by affirming that the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation has become a model of Global South solidarity. China and Africa announced their commitment to implementing the 2026 programs dedicated to enhancing people-to-people exchanges, reflecting their shared belief that the future of cooperation goes beyond governments and includes societies and individuals.

With this declaration, Beijing and Changsha mark a new chapter in the course of China–Africa relations, founded on the principles of fair partnership, mutual support, and solidarity in the face of global challenges.