Wang Yi Was Interviewed By Chinese Media After Concluding His Visits To Four African Countries

On January 19, 2024, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave an interview to Chinese media after concluding his visit to four African countries.

1、 During their visits to Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and Cote d'Ivoire, the leaders of all four countries reiterated their adherence to the One China principle. How do you evaluate the current China Africa relationship?

Wang Yi: The Chinese Foreign Minister's first visit to Africa every year has been a tradition that has been upheld for 34 years, reflecting China's high attention to Africa and firm support for its development and revitalization. Along the way, I strongly feel the friendship and trust from Africa. The leaders of the four countries immediately publicly and explicitly supported China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The 53 countries in Africa that have established diplomatic relations with China have expressed their firm support for the One China principle and China's peaceful reunification in various forms. On issues related to China's core interests and major concerns, African countries have the most resolute and clear-cut attitude, fully reflecting the fine tradition of mutual support between China and Africa. The unity and friendship between China and Africa have been formed in the struggle for national liberation together, and have been sublimated in the journey of common development and revitalization. They are precious spiritual treasures worth cherishing and promoting. As a good friend of Africa, China will always stand with its African brothers and firmly support African countries in safeguarding their independence, sovereignty, and national dignity.

2、 Under the unprecedented changes in the world, African countries are facing various internal and external challenges. How do you think Africa should respond?

Wang Yi: Although the four countries have different national conditions, they are all thinking about how to cope with the unprecedented changes in the current century, how to find a development path suitable for their own national conditions, how to strengthen unity and cooperation, and jointly promote the overall revitalization of the African continent. For a long time, the so-called good governance model imposed on Africa by external forces, whether it is the Washington Consensus or neoliberalism, has not brought much peace, development, and happiness to the African people, but has instead shown the world more turmoil and poverty. African countries are actively seeking ways to truly achieve economic independence and independent development after gaining political independence. This is another historical awakening in Africa. The Pan African Conference will be held in Togo this year, and we believe that African countries will take this opportunity to explore feasible ways to strengthen unity and self-improvement. While accelerating development, they will also maintain their independence, firmly grasp their future and destiny, and embark on a successful African style modernization path, building Africa into a peaceful and prosperous continent. During this process, China is willing to be a collaborator in exploring the path of modernization in Africa and provide comprehensive support to Africa. Africa is a continent full of hope, and we have full confidence in its prospects. The 21st century will surely witness the common development and revitalization of China and Africa.

3、 The Forum on China Africa Cooperation has been going through more than 20 years. Have you discussed with African leaders that a new forum meeting will be held this year?

Wang Yi: In the past few decades of China Africa cooperation, especially in the 24 years since the establishment of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, historic achievements have been made, changing the face of Africa and driving the international community to pay more attention to and value Africa. China welcomes the international community to increase investment in Africa and welcomes all countries to contribute to helping Africa. At the same time, we are also considering how to promote China Africa cooperation to keep up with the times, improve its quality and upgrade, and continue to be at the forefront of international cooperation with Africa. Xi Jinping President proposed the concept of genuine, friendly, and sincere policies towards Africa, and reached important consensus with African leaders on building a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa. We need to further refine and implement, and one of the important tasks is to strengthen the exchange of experience in governing the country and jointly explore the path to accelerate modernization. We look forward to reaching a consensus on this at the new session of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation held this autumn, jointly opening up new horizons of China Africa cooperation and enhancing the new level of China Africa cooperation.

4、 During your visits to Egypt and Tunisia, did you communicate with each other regarding the Gaza conflict and the Red Sea situation?

Wang Yi: During this visit, we had in-depth communication with Egypt, Tunisia, and the Arab League Secretariat on the Palestinian issue. The Palestinian Israeli conflict has erupted for over a hundred days, resulting in large-scale innocent civilian casualties and a serious humanitarian crisis. The Chinese side actively runs and loudly condemns all acts that harm civilians, opposes any practices that violate international law, and supports all efforts aimed at preventing conflict escalation and promoting the restoration of peace. Arab and Islamic countries highly value China's stance, and the ordinary people we have met on the streets have praised China's just stance. We hope that China will continue to promote a ceasefire, end the war, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

During the visit, we also communicated and coordinated with the Afghan side to address the spillover effects of the Gaza conflict, especially in maintaining the safety of the Red Sea route. From the beginning, China has made active efforts to alleviate the tense situation in the Red Sea, calling for an end to the harassment of civilian ships, urging relevant parties to avoid adding fuel to the tense situation in the Red Sea, and to jointly maintain the safety of the Red Sea navigation channels in accordance with the law. At the same time, we must also respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries along the Red Sea, including Yemen.

The Palestinian issue has always been the core of the Middle East issue, which is related to peace and stability in the region and questions the moral conscience of humanity. China firmly supports the just cause of restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the long-standing aspiration of Palestine to achieve independence and statehood. Justice is already late, but it should not be absent forever. China calls for the convening of a larger scale, larger scope, and more effective international peace conference as soon as possible. No matter how the regional and international situation changes, China will continue to firmly stand on the side of peace and justice, and make unremitting efforts to promote security and stability in the Middle East region.

5、 In recent years, the political and security situation in West Africa, especially in the Sahel region, has been turbulent, posing challenges to regional peace and stable development. How do you view this?

Wang Yi: The Sahel countries are all good friends of China, and we hope that peace can be restored in the region as soon as possible, achieving stability and development. The urgent task is to resolve differences politically through dialogue and consultation, and to address African issues in an African way. The Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping calls on all countries to embark on a new path of security that is dialogue without confrontation, partnership without alliance, and win-win rather than zero sum. Africa has gone through hardships, but is full of vitality, as evidenced by the vibrant "Africa Cup" being held. China has built competition venues for the African Cup, and we have confidence in the development of Africa. Africa should become an important pole in global political, economic, and cultural development. African countries have the right to choose their own development path, enjoy equal rights in the international system, and have fair opportunities in global development. China has always insisted on the equality of all countries, big and small, and opposed all hegemonism and power politics. We are willing to work with our African brothers and sisters to promote equal and orderly world multipolarization and create inclusive economic globalization.