Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
At Session Ⅲ of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Johannesburg, February 21, 2025

Honorable Minister Lamola,
Dear colleagues, 

Our meeting today is about G20 cooperation. I am convinced that under South Africa’s Presidency, G20 cooperation will make new headway and deliver new results.

At last year’s summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Xi Jinping called on the G20 to be a force to improve global governance and move history forward. Standing at a new starting point, China is ready to join all sides in embracing the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” proposed by South Africa, ushering in a new chapter of G20 cooperation, and working together for a just world of common development. 

First, through “Solidarity” we will cement the foundation of G20 cooperation. President Ramaphosa noted that, cooperation has been one of the key markers of human development, which is what the G20 was established for. We should seek common ground, set aside and overcome differences whenever possible, avoid division and discord, and reject bloc confrontation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.N. and the 30th anniversary of the WTO. It is a pivotal year for global economic governance reform. Major countries should play a leading role in advancing reform of the global economic governance system and improving the representation and voice of the Global South. We should jointly build an open world economy, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and make economic globalization more universally beneficial and inclusive.

Second, through “Equality” we will empower the G20 on the way forward. Equal-footed consultation and mutual benefit is a distinct feature of the G20; it is also an important path for improving global governance. The G20 should be committed to extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. We should see each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and view each other as partners rather than rivals. In today’s world, technological revolution is progressing apace, presenting us with both opportunities and risks. China supports South Africa’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) task force and supports the Global AI Summit on Africa. China also welcomes you all to China for the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Together with Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, we have jointly launched an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, and we look forward to more countries and international organizations coming aboard.

Third, through “Sustainability” we will open up new prospects for the G20. Development should stay at the top of G20’s agenda, and we should translate the spirit of multilateralism into concrete actions of sustainability. At the G20 Rio Summit, President Xi outlined China’s eight actions for global development and called for the G20 to be a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development. China will take an active part in the two newly-established task forces on “Inclusive Economic Growth” and “Food Security” set up by South Africa, and support cooperation in priority areas such as disaster relief, debt sustainability, fair energy transition and key minerals. China is ready to discuss with all parties how to lower the financing costs for developing countries, actively participate in the work of Cost of Capital Commission, and help developing countries reduce their debt burden under the principle of “joint action and fair-burden sharing.”

Colleagues,

Africa is experiencing a new awakening. The G20 should make the most of South Africa’s Presidency, mobilize more development resources, promote synergy in global development actions, and partner with Africa in industrialization, infrastructure, green minerals and other areas, to accelerate the continent’s advancement toward modernization. 

Under China’s G20 Presidency in 2016, the G20 adopted the Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and Least Developed Countries. Right now, China is working with African partners to comprehensively advance ten partnership actions for modernization. In sum, China is ready to work with all parties to empower Africa’s development through G20 cooperation to achieve common prosperity and progress.

Thank you.