Mrs. Francess Paigie Alghali, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, represented the country at two major events held in Changsha, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China: The Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Opening Ceremony of the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE).
These events marked the 25th anniversary of FOCAC, underscoring its significant role in fostering cooperation and strengthening ties between China and Africa. During the Ministerial Meeting, His Excellency Wang Yi a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a keynote speech. He highlighted the progress achieved since the last FOCAC Summit in Beijing, referencing President Xi Jinping’s Ten Partnership Actions. He also emphasized the growing strategic mutual trust, practical cooperation, and closer multilateral collaboration between China and African nations.
The meeting culminated in the adoption of a Joint Declaration titled “The China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South.” This declaration expressed a unified stance against unilateralism, protectionism, and economic hegemony. It reaffirmed support for the rights and interests of all nations and called for collective efforts to stabilize the global economic order.
The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo highlighted the Ten Partnership Actions, showcasing initiatives aligned with the economic and trade goals set during the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit. The Expo featured a series of thematic events focusing on critical sectors such as infrastructure development, youth innovation and entrepreneurship, CEO dialogues, legal services, logistics, and renewable energy. These initiatives aim to advance modernization and enhance trade cooperation between China and Africa.
During the Plenary Session, Deputy Minister Alghali delivered a keynote address in which she reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism, economic cooperation, and regional security. She also highlighted a key milestone in bilateral relations: the signing of a Fish Certification Agreement between Sierra Leone and China in the first quarter of 2025. This agreement was recognized as a vital step in Sierra Leone’s economic development and a testament to the growing strength of China-Sierra Leone relations.
As the China-Africa partnership continues to evolve, events like the Ministerial Meeting and the Economic and Trade Expo reinforce the shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation and promoting mutual development.
