September 27, 2024

Co-chairs of the Forum, 
Colleagues,

Let me begin by expressing the Chinese government's appreciation to the Co-chairs of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and of the Working Groups, and all the GCTF Members for your contribution to the Forum's development, and congratulations on the Forum's membership expansion. Since inception, the GCTF has supported its Members in capacity building on counterterrorism and deradicalization, facilitated a more balanced implementation of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy, and served as an important platform for global counterterrorism effort .

As we speak, international counterterrorism cooperation faces arduous challenges presented by resurging international terrorism and frequent major terrorist attacks. Africa, where about one third of the world's terrorist attacks take place, is among the regions that are seeing the fastest and most rampant spread of terrorism. As acts of terror gravely endanger the security and stability of African countries and hamper Africa's socioeconomic development, the GCTF gets to the crux of international counterterrorism by prioritizing Africa in its agenda. Therefore, the focus of our Meeting today on counterterrorism in Africa is highly relevant and very timely.

Colleagues, 

China and Africa belong to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. Throughout the years, China has been a staunch supporter and active contributor to African countries' fight against terrorism, and has taken concrete steps to support African countries' own efforts to safeguard peace and stability. 

We have developed a sound philosophy to guide our action. Supporting Africa's counterterrorism is an important component of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) put forth by President Xi Jinping. Guided by the GSI, China has taken a constructive part in Africa's peace and security affairs. We have promoted dialogue and reconciliation among Sahel and Great Lakes countries through shuttle diplomacy, and proposed and worked to advance the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, thus contributing China's part to helping Africa effectively tackle terrorism. These actions guided by the GSI have received firm support, positive response and warm applause from African countries. 

We have laid out a blueprint to chart the way forward. Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation a six-point proposition for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization, and ten partnership actions. To jointly advance modernization underpinned by peace and security and to implement the Partnership Action for Common Security are important components of China's proposals. To put them into action, China wil provide RMB 1 billion yuan of grants in military assistance,and train 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers in three years in support of Africa's counterterrorism capacity building. Furthermore, through the ten partnership actions, China will deepen cooperation with Africa on inter-civilization mutual learning, trade and investment, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people exchanges, green development, among others, to help Africa eradicate the root causes of terrorism.

We have taken a multilateral approach in advancing cooperation. The China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund has consistently made peace, security and development in Africa a funding priority. Through U.N. counterterrorism agencies, it has financed multiple counterterrorism capacity-building projects in African countries, which have proved to be successful. China has firmly supported the African Union and African subregional organizations in resolving regional conflicts and fighting terrorism. We have also taken an active part in and supported the work of the West Africa Capacity Building Working Group and East Africa Capacity Building Working Group of the Forum. 

Colleagues, 

Africa is home to the largest number of developing countries, and has over 1.4 billion people. Without security in Africa, there is no stability of the world. The international community needs to take swift, effective and coordinated actions and make new contributions to solving counterterrorism challenges in Africa. With this in mind, China would like to make the following four points: 

First, it is important to follow a consensus approach and build synergy for counterterrorism in Africa. Countries should realize that we are in a community with a shared future. Therefore, we need to embrace common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, respect the leadership of African countries in counterterrorism, support African people in solving Africa's issues in an African way, and stand with African countries in fighting terrorism. There is no such thing as good terrorism or bad terrorism. In the fight against terrorism, one should avoid double standard, or a selective approach. Still less should one politicize counterterrorism issues, or capitalize on them to seek selfish geopolitical gains. 

Second, it is important to shore up the foundation and help African countries enhance counterterrorism capacity. Insufficient capacity is a problem facing many African countries in counterterrorism. Helping Africa should not be a mere rhetoric. It is time to translate the political will into real action, such as increasing finance, equipment, intelligence, human resources, and logistics support to African countries to help build their own capacity for counterterrorism. Such assistance should come with no political strings attached, and with no agenda or objectives imposed by donor countries. 

Third, it is important to address both the symptoms and the root causes, and strengthen counterterrorism efforts and enhance security through sustainable development. Socioeconomic underdevelopment is the breeding ground for terror and extremist forces. We need to seize development, the key to many issues,and act with a greater sense of urgency to help African countries implement Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We need to help African countries enhance capacity for sustainable development, eliminate poverty, create employment, and improve people's livelihood,thus removing the root causes of terrorism. 

Fourth, it is important to uphold multilateralism and give full play to the central and coordinating role of the U.N. Unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon to fight terrorism. It is important to go beyond "small circles" and the zero-sum mindset, embrace true multilateralism, abide by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, fully implement the relevant resolutions of the U.N. General Assembly and Security Council, and channel more U.N. counterterrorism resources to Africa. We need to make full use of the existing cooperation mechanisms between the U.N. counterterrorism agencies and African countries as well as their successful experience, and push for the effective implementation of the Global Counterterrorism Strategy in Africa. 

Colleagues, 
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Africa is a cradle of human civilization; it is a promising land full of hope .World peace and development would not be possible without Africa. And international counterterrorism would not succeed without Africa. China stands ready to work with all parties to jointly increase support to African countries in eliminating the threats of terrorism, and contribute more strengths to realizing enduring peace and development in Africa. 

Thank you.