The Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on June 11, 2025, in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. This high-level gathering brought together Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and foreign ministers from across Africa to reinforce commitments to economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and multilateral solidarity. Below is a detailed analysis of the event’s major outcomes and declarations.

1. High-Level Diplomatic Engagements

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral talks with multiple African counterparts, reaffirming China’s commitment to deepening partnerships. Key discussions included:

Namibia & Botswana: Discussions focused on industrialization, anti-protectionism, and aligning development strategies with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Kenya: Wang Yi emphasized implementing consensus from previous leader-level talks, enhancing mutual trust, and supporting Kenya’s development goals. Kenya’s Musalia Mudavadi reiterated adherence to the One-China principle and pledged stronger cooperation in trade and infrastructure.

Senegal: Both sides agreed to uphold multilateralism and expand investment opportunities, with Senegal’s Yassine Fall welcoming Chinese involvement in modernization projects.

Tanzania: Wang praised Tanzania’s effective implementation of FOCAC outcomes, particularly in infrastructure (e.g., Tanzania-Zambia Railway revitalization) and trade (zero-tariff benefits).

2. The Changsha Declaration: Key Commitments

The meeting produced the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, which outlined:

A. Economic Trade Cooperation

• • Duty-Free Access Expansion: China pledged to extend zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines to all 53 African nations with diplomatic ties (excluding Eswatini, which recognizes Taiwan). This builds on existing benefits for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) like Tanzania and Uganda.

• • Trade Growth: Bilateral trade reached $292 billion in 2024, with China offering streamlined customs procedures and market access for African goods.

B. Opposition to Unilateralism

The declaration criticized U.S. protectionist tariffs (e.g., 50% on Lesotho, 38% on Botswana) and called for equal multilateral trade negotiations under WTO frameworks.

C. Infrastructure and Modernization

FOCAC’s “10 Partnership Actions” (e.g., green energy, digital economy) were endorsed to align with Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Projects like the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and Uganda’s airport expansions were highlighted as models of China-Africa collaboration.

3. Africa’s Response and Future Steps

The African Union backed China’s Global Development Initiative, emphasizing joint efforts in poverty reduction and industrialization.

Kenya aims to finalize a trade agreement with China by June 2025 to secure export privileges.

South Africa and others praised FOCAC’s role in HIV/AIDS programs, energy, and skills training.

A Unified Vision for the Global South

The Changsha meeting reinforced China-Africa solidarity amid global economic fragmentation. By combining tariff relief, infrastructure investment, and anti-protectionist advocacy, both sides are positioning themselves as leaders of the Global South’s development agenda. The next FOCAC summit in Abuja, Nigeria (June 26, 2025) will further advance these goals.