On August 18, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing via video link. Aïssata Tall Sall, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Senegal, the African Co-Chair of the FOCAC, representatives of the successive African co-chairs of FOCAC, African sub-regions and the African Union Commission, as well as African diplomatic envoys to China, were present at the meeting.

Wang Yi hailed the Eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in Dakar last November as a great success, and recalled the “nine programs” President Xi Jinping announced at the Conference for China-Africa cooperation, noting that the Conference was one of great importance in carrying forward the traditional friendship between China and Africa, cementing China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, and building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Wang Yi pointed out that for over half a year, China and Africa have stayed the course, maintained solidarity and stayed focused on cooperation, making good progress in implementing the outcomes of the Conference, and bringing real benefits to the African people.

The two sides have jointly upheld international fairness and justice. Working in solidarity and coordination, China and Africa have become a vital force for defending the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, upholding the purposes of the UN Charter, and safeguarding multilateralism and international fairness and justice.

The two sides have jointly focused on development cooperation. China and Africa have further progressed cooperation on infrastructure building, and completed several major projects, giving a big boost to Africa's industrialization process.

The two sides have jointly tackled the global food crisis. China has provided emergency food assistance to African countries, while more African agricultural produce have entered the Chinese market through the "green lanes". Chinese businesses are increasing investment in Africa's agricultural sector, helping the African rural households create jobs, get out of poverty and improve livelihoods.

The two sides have jointly built a strong shield against COVID-19. China has provided 189 million doses of vaccines to 27 African countries, and their joint production of vaccines in Africa has reached an annual capacity of about 400 million doses.

The two sides have jointly worked for resilient and sustainable development. China and Africa have expanded cooperation on clean energy, carried out South-South cooperation projects for addressing climate change, and built low-carbon demonstration zones.

The two sides have jointly promoted regional peace and stability. China has put forward the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, appointed its Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, provided aid supplies to countries in the region, and helped regional countries enhance their capacity for preserving peace and stability on their own.

Wang Yi stressed that these achievements in China-Africa cooperation have not come easily, and the two sides have much more to look forward to in the future. Fruitful China-Africa cooperation will add fresh impetus to global development, generate more positive energy for world stability, and bring new hopes to people around the world. China-Africa friendship will stand any test of winds and storms. It will continue to be the backbone in South-South cooperation and a fine example in international relations.

Wang Yi noted that the Communist Party of China will hold its 20th National Congress later this year, thereby embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the African Union, which will usher in new development opportunities for Africa. Standing at this new starting point in history, China and Africa need to further strengthen solidarity, press ahead toward common development and prosperity at a faster pace, and truly build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. To that end, Wang Yi put forward five suggestions:

First, uphold the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, and enhance solidarity and mutual support. China will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests put forward by President Xi Jinping. China will always be Africa's partner of mutual respect, equality and sincere cooperation, and firmly support African countries in pursuing their own development paths and seeking strength through unity. China will work with Africa to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, practice true multilateralism, and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Second, uphold the down-to-earth approach, and work for common development. China will work with Africa to fully implement the "nine programs" and further advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China will continue to actively participate in the construction of major infrastructure in Africa, increase imports from Africa, support the development of Africa's agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and expand cooperation in emerging industries. China has started building a pool of global development projects, and welcomes applications from African countries.

Third, uphold independence, and jointly promote peace in the region. China will continue to support solving African issues in the African way. China opposes external interference in African countries' internal affairs, and opposes stoking confrontation and conflict in Africa. China is ready to help Africa enhance the capacity for countering terrorism and maintaining stability, and deliver the "Silencing the Guns" initiative at an early date. China stands ready to work with Africa to jointly implement the Global Security Initiative, and will increase its input to the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund and help improve the UN operations for stability and peace in Africa.

Fourth, carry forward traditional friendship, and forge a stronger bond between the peoples. China will overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19 to actively facilitate the return of African students who wish to come back to China to resume their studies. We will also resume short-term in-person training programs in China in an orderly way, and steadily increase commercial flights to facilitate personnel exchanges and business travels between our two sides. China supports think tanks, media organizations, people's groups, the youth and women in enhancing exchanges and cooperation to deepen friendship between the Chinese and African peoples.

Fifth, uphold openness and win-win cooperation, and promote the sound development of international cooperation with Africa. China welcomes continued interest in and support for Africa from the international community, and is ready to carry out, with the consent of African brothers, tripartite or multi-party cooperation in Africa. Under the new circumstances, China will continue to work with Africa to enhance the institution-building of FOCAC and mobilize more resources in favor of Africa so that FOCAC will continue to be a standard-bearer of cooperation with Africa.

Aïssata Tall Sall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of Senegal, Téte António, Minister of External Relations of Angola, Paluku Kahongya Julien, Minister of Industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Omar Keti, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Organizations of Libya, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and other African representatives expressed high appreciation of President Xi’s initiative of building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era and the “nine programs” he put forward for cooperation with Africa, and spoke highly of China's efforts to implement the follow-up actions of the Eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference. All sides reaffirmed their firm commitment to upholding international fairness and justice and the principle of non-interference in others' internal affairs. They also reaffirmed their firm commitment to the one-China principle and their support for China's efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. The African side thanked Chinese side for its important role in helping African countries tackle the food and energy crises and COVID-19, and expressed readiness to work with China to further strengthen the institution-building of FOCAC, synergize the development strategies of African countries and the Belt and Road Initiative, and constantly improve and upgrade Africa-China cooperation.

The Joint Statement of the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was adopted at the meeting.