The Changsha Declaration on Maintaining Solidarity and Cooperation in the Global South was adopted at the Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha, China. It was attended by representatives of China, 53 African states and the African Union Commission, building on the conclusions of the Beijing 2024 FOCAC Summit.
The Declaration reaffirms our shared commitment to building a community partnership between China and Africa for a new era and highlights the importance Belt and Road Initiativeas well as three global initiatives: development, security and civilisation.
The signatories criticise protectionism, unilateral sanctions and economic bullyingwhich, in their view, threaten the development of African states. They call for equal dialogue in resolving commercial disputes and to strengthening support to developing countries, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, health and employment.
China has promised extension of the duty free regime to 100 % products of all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations and specific support for the least developed countries. Other priorities include cooperation in green industry, e-commerce, science, artificial intelligence, security and the rule of law.
The Declaration builds on the principles of equality, sovereignty, justice and calls for the creation of inclusive and equitable globalisationthat reflects the interests of the entire global South. FOCAC is seen as a model for this partnership.