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China and South Africa have launched a new cooperation initiative aimed at advancing Africa’s modernization, unveiled during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this past weekend.
The plan builds on commitments made at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, where China announced 10 partnership actions to support Africa’s development. Co-drafted by China and African partners, the initiative seeks to draw greater global attention and investment to the continent.
Zhao Wenfei, Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, said the initiative reflects Africa’s distinct priorities, focusing on modernization, shared prosperity, cultural and social progress, environmental sustainability, and peaceful development. He added that modernization should be inclusive, noting China’s own experience as evidence that development is not reserved for a select group of countries.
A major component of the initiative is its focus on green infrastructure and green mining. Lin Feng, director general for International Trade and Economic Affairs at China’s Ministry of Commerce, said low-carbon, environmentally responsible development will underpin high-quality growth in the mineral sector and create new opportunities worldwide. The initiative outlines seven priority areas for international cooperation, aimed at sharing the benefits of sustainable mining and green development.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has welcomed the effort. Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan highlighted the role of Chinese technology and investment in improving lives across Africa — from solar-powered electricity in rural South Africa to battery-based vaccine refrigeration systems in Ethiopia.
While details on implementation are still to come, the initiative marks an important move to deepen cooperation between China, South Africa, and the wider African continent.
