On March 25, China successfully hosted the High-level Meeting on Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization: China’s Investment during the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14). Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. The ministers or representatives of nearly 50 African WTO members, including Cameroon, as well as WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also attended the event. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Li Yongjie, Permanent Representative of China to the WTO.

Wang Wentao stated that at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping solemnly announced the ten partnership actions with Africa for modernization, ushering in a new chapter in China and Africa’s joint pursuit of the dream of modernization. Hosting this high-level meeting is a concrete step to implement the important consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders. It reflects China’s sense of responsibility as a sincere friend and reliable partner, and represents a practical initiative to upgrade and elevate China-Africa cooperation and advance shared development. The event has received broad support from African countries and strong backing from international organizations, including the WTO.

Wang Wentao emphasized that industrialization is a sure path for African countries to achieve economic transformation and self-reliant development. However, the road ahead remains challenging amid rising unilateralism and protectionism, escalating geopolitical conflicts, and a deteriorating environment for international cooperation. China stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation with African countries, closely align with their socio-economic development needs, and leverage its advantages, including its supersized market and complete industrial system, to deepen cooperation in four key areas, industrial and supply chains, infrastructure, human resources, and trade and investment rules. China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for all African countries having diplomatic relations with China, starting May 1, 2026. China will further deepen investment cooperation with Africa to accelerate the continent’s industrialization process and make greater contribution to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chair of MC14 and Cameroon’s Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, and ministers from some African members also delivered remarks. They expressed concern over the current turbulence in global trade and highly commended China’s tangible actions and positive contribution in upholding the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and supporting Africa’s industrialization. They expressed their hope to further strengthen trade and investment cooperation with China to advance Africa’s industrialization and economic and social development. (Released on March 26)