Last week, Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo along with more than 50 other African leaders spent time in Beijing, China as the world’s second most powerful economy hosted a continent in need of a lift.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, UN Secretary-General, and representatives of more than 30 international and African regional organizations were in attendance, signifying the importance of the summit to the global economy, especially Africa.

The summit was a success by all standards with Beijing pledging 360 billion yuan ($50.7) billion dollars in credit lines and investments over the next three years.

Two important documents were adopted unanimously, namely the Beijing

1. Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.
2. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027).

The following is a comprehensive report of the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa as presented to the media at a news conference;

New Outcomes of the FOCAC Summit

Under the theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”, the Summit took stock of the journey of China-Africa friendship, commended the progress made in implementing the outcomes of FOCAC, and reached a clear political consensus on strengthening cooperation across the board. Two important documents were adopted unanimously, namely the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027). All parties agree that the Summit is a full success with main outcomes in the following four aspects.

First, China has entered into strategic partnerships with all African countries having diplomatic ties with China. During the Summit, President Xi Jinping held bilateral meetings with all heads of state and important heads of government and had in-depth communication on major strategic issues. China established or elevated its strategic partnerships with a total of 30 countries. China and 53 African strategic partners, standing shoulder to shoulder, will play a greater role in improving the well-being of the Chinese and African people, and safeguarding world peace and stability.

Second, the characterization of the overall China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. Just as President Xi Jinping pointed out, thanks to nearly 70 years of concerted efforts, the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history. From a new type of partnership to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, the China-Africa relationship has kept reaching new heights, opening a new chapter in the cause of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Third, a six-point proposition on China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernization was articulated. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Africa should advance modernization that is just and equitable, that is open and win-win, that puts the people first, that features diversity and inclusiveness, that is eco-friendly, and that is underpinned by peace and security. This proposition is widely accepted by African leaders and has become a political consensus between China and Africa. It marks the two sides' deepening understanding of the rules governing modernization and will have a significant and far-reaching impact on spearheading faster modernization of the Global South and advancing global modernization.

Fourth, ten partnership actions were drawn up for China-Africa cooperation going forward. The two sides adopted a Beijing Declaration and Action Plan for strengthening China-Africa cooperation in the next three years. President Xi Jinping announced ten partnership actions that China would take with Africa to advance modernization in the next three years:
First, the Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations, including building a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and inviting 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges.

Second, the Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity, including voluntarily and unilaterally opening China’s market wider and giving all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, will help turn China's big market into Africa’s big opportunity.

Third, the Partnership Action for Industrial Chain Cooperation, including pushing forward the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, launching an “African SMEs empowerment program”, and jointly building a digital technology cooperation center.

Fourth, the Partnership Action for Connectivity, including putting in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development for the benefit of trans-regional development in Africa.

Fifth, the Partnership Action for Development Cooperation, including implementing 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects to deliver more fruits of development to African people.
Sixth, the Partnership Action for Health, including establishing joint medical centers, sending 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and supporting the development of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seventh, the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, including providing Africa with emergency food assistance, building standardized agriculture demonstration areas, and creating at least one million jobs for Africa.

Eighth, the Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges, including implementing the Future of Africa-Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, providing 60,000 training opportunities, and designating 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Ninth, the Partnership Action for Green Development, including launching 30 clean energy projects in Africa, establishing together 30 joint laboratories, and collaborating on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration.

Tenth, the Partnership Action for Common Security, including making fine examples of GSI cooperation and providing training for military personnel and police and law enforcement officers.
To implement the ten partnership actions, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese government will provide RMB 360 billion yuan (50.6 billion US dollars) of financial support over the next three years. This breaks down into RMB 210 billion yuan (29.5 billion US dollars) of credit line, RMB 80 billion yuan (11.3 billion US dollars) of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB 70 billion yuan (9.8 billion US dollars) of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.

During the Summit, the two sides also had strategic communication on the international situation and global governance. The two sides agreed to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests, defend the common interests of developing countries, and promote international fairness and justice. The two sides agreed to follow true multilateralism, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. The two sides agreed to reject “small yard, high fence,” oppose discrimination and prejudice, redress historical injustices, and ensure that all will benefit from the modernization process.

In summary, the Summit has sent a powerful message of China and Africa pursuing development together and demonstrated the Global South's unwavering confidence in unity and cooperation. The FOCAC “summit week” is a “Global South moment,” a highlight of the joint pursuit of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Bilateral Results during the Summit

During his visit to China, H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had a busy schedule with fruitful results. On 4th September, President Akufo-Addo attended the welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People. On the afternoon of 5th September, President Akufo-Addo met with President Xi Jinping. The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of China-Ghana relations to a strategic partnership. This is the most important political outcome of the visit.

Also on the same day, President Akufo-Addo attended the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Summit, attended a high-level meeting on industrialization and agricultural modernization co-chaired by a Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Huning, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and met with Li Xi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

On the morning of 6th September, President Akufo-Addo attended the opening ceremony of the eighth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs where Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech. From 6th to 7th, President Akufo-Addo visited the city of Shenzhen, addressed the 2024 China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation Forum and the China-Ghana Business Forum, and met the Mayor of Shenzhen Mr. Qin Weizhong, marking a successful end for the visit to China.

During the meeting, President Xi Jinping noted that Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 64 years ago, the friendship between the two countries has remained strong and enduring, regardless of changes in the international landscape. 

China is ready to carry forward the deep friendship forged by the elder generation of the leaders of the two countries with Ghana to constantly enhance political mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends who trust each other, good partners for common development, and good brothers with close cooperation. China is ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Ghana and continue assisting to the best of its ability to Ghana in developing the economy and improving people's livelihood.

China is ready to expand cooperation with Ghana in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, energy, mineral resources, and infrastructure, and hopes that Ghana will continue to offer relevant support and convenience to Chinese enterprises and citizens. China supports Ghana in its work as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term and is ready to enhance strategic coordination with Ghana on international and regional issues.

H.E. Xi Jinping stressed that the FOCAC Beijing Summit summarizes the historical experience of China-Africa friendship, clarifies the direction and path for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization, and leads the way for the Global South. China is ready to work with Ghana to jointly follow through on the various results of the Summit.

H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said that it is a pleasure to come to China to attend the FOCAC Beijing Summit and he wishes the summit a complete success. Ghana was one of the first batch of African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC. China has been Ghana's most trustworthy friend and partner for over 60 years. Ghana highly cherishes its friendship with China, firmly pursues the one-China policy, and supports China's stance on human rights and others. He thanked China for its long-term support of Ghana, saying that the investment and cooperation of Chinese enterprises has greatly promoted Ghana's economic and social development.

Ghana hopes to further expand cooperation in electricity, mineral resources, new energy, and other fields and is willing to provide convenience for Chinese enterprises. He thanked President Xi Jinping for proposing at the opening ceremony of the summit in the morning the ten partnership actions for Africa and China to jointly advance modernization. Some of the proposals are very forward-looking. Ghana is ready to work actively with China to implement these actions and remain steadfast as good friends and partners.

Dear friends, Just as an Akan proverb says: “Baanu soa emmia”. When two carry, it does not hurt. Cooperation is always better than working alone. China is the largest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. In a world undergoing major changes unseen in a century, China and Africa need to stay united more than ever.

The FOCAC Summit paints a bright future for China-Africa cooperation. I believe that under the joint leadership of Chinese and African leaders, with the solidarity and cooperation among 2.8 billion Chinese and African people, we will give fresh impetus to Global South cooperation and break new ground for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Finally, I would like to thank all my friends from the media for your constant support for the work of the Embassy. It is your hard work that enables the positivity of China-Africa and China-Ghana friendship to reach the local people. I hope you will continue to support and report on the development of China-Africa relations.