Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, has reaffirmed the Peoples Republic of China’s commitment to deepening China-Africa cooperation, and the strengthening of bilateral relations between China and Ghana.
H.E. Tong highlighted outcomes from a Ministerial Meeting on the Implementation of FOCAC Follow-up Actions held earlier this month in Changsha, China.
President Xi Jinping, in a congratulatory message, pledged zero-tariff treatment for all products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, aimed at promoting African exports. The summit concluded with three key documents:
The China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Global South solidarity
An Outcome List from the 2023 FOCAC Beijing Summit
A Concept Paper for the 2026 “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges”
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also proposed five pillars for future cooperation: solidarity among Global South nations, championing free trade, promoting mutual development, safeguarding international justice, and enhancing cultural exchange.
In support of these ideals, the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, also held in Changsha, brought together 5,000 businesses and 30,000 participants. Contracts signed at the expo totaled USD 11.39 billion, with previous expos accounting for over USD 50 billion, 83% of which have already been executed.
China, the ambassador noted, has remained Africa’s top trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Since last year’s summit, China has committed over RMB 150 billion (USD 21 billion) in funding to Africa, with China-Africa trade up 12.4% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025.
Ghana-China Relations: Strategic and Forward-Looking
Ambassador Tong also shared updates on recent diplomatic engagements involving Ghanaian officials. Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, led a delegation to China, where he held high-level talks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“The meeting was the first official engagement between the two ministers and was very successful,” Tong said, adding that the two nations’ newly established strategic partnership marks a new chapter in bilateral relations.
During the visit, Minister Ablakwa also toured Huawei, GAC Group, and an electric vehicle company in Guangzhou. Similarly, Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, signed an MoU with a Chinese EV firm, signaling deepening commercial ties in green technology.
Looking Ahead
Ambassador Tong concluded his remarks with a contrast between China’s cooperative approach to Africa and what he described as the exploitative stance of unnamed foreign powers.
“While China is implementing zero-tariff treatment, some countries are imposing additional tariffs. While China seeks win-win cooperation, others resort to unilateralism and bullying,” he noted.
Reaffirming China’s dedication to African development, Ambassador Tong pledged to continue working with Ghana and other African nations to promote modernization, economic cooperation, and global solidarity.
“China and Africa are natural allies. Through mutual respect and shared values, we can unlock a future of common development and prosperity,” he concluded.
