Conference Center of Yaoundé (Palais des Congrès), 25 March 2026

Your Excellency First Deputy Prime Minister Mohaba,

Your Excellency Minister Atangana,

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala,

Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s my great pleasure to meet you all in the beautiful city of Yaoundé. First of all, on behalf of China, I warmly welcome all distinguished guests to this High-Level Meeting, and express my thanks to the Government of Cameroon and the WTO Secretariat for the considerate arrangements.

Industrialization is essential for African countries to advance economic transformation and achieve independent development. In recent years, the African Union has adopted successively the Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa and Agenda 2063, both taking industrialization as a key driver of development. Many African countries have explored industrialization pathways suited to their national conditions and made positive progress. On the whole, Africa’s industrialization is gaining momentum, with enormous potential and room for growth in infrastructure, industrial and supply chains, and manufacturing systems. However, encountered by rising unilateralism and protectionism, intensified geopolitical conflicts, a worsening environment for international cooperation, and serious problems of unequal rights and opportunities, Africa’s industrialization still faces an uphill journey.

China and Africa are a community with a shared future. China has always responded to Africa’s needs and supported Africa’s modernization with concrete actions. At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit 2024, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced the 10 partnership actions for modernization, launching a new journey for China and Africa to jointly pursue modernization. During the G20 Johannesburg Summit, Premier Li Qiang announced that China had released its “Action Plan for Implementing the G20 Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and Least Developed Countries”. Hosting this High-Level Meeting is a concrete step to deliver on the important common understandings between Chinese and African leaders. It reflects China’s responsibility as a sincere friend and reliable partner and practical measures to upgrade China-Africa cooperation for common development. It has received widespread response and active participation from African countries, as well as strong support from the WTO and other international organizations.

China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with African countries. By closely aligning with the economic and social development priorities of African countries and fully leveraging China’s strengths including its super-sized market and complete industrial system, we will deepen cooperation in the following four key areas to build the brand of “China’s Investment” and support Africa’s industrialization.

First, we will deepen industrial and supply chain cooperation to strengthen self-sustaining momentum for industrial development. As indicated by an IMF report, China’s investment in Africa has raised local processing rate from 15 percent to 45 percent. In 2025, China exported nearly USD100 billion of intermediate goods to Africa, laying an important foundation for local manufacturing and export earnings of African countries. China will continue to guide enterprises to expand trade in intermediate goods, promote integration of trade and investment, strengthen investment cooperation in green minerals, machinery and equipment, agricultural product processing, and other sectors, help African countries enhance processing and manufacturing capacity, and improve export competitiveness. By the end of 2025, the 33 China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones had attracted a cumulative investment of over USD13 billion and generated an output value of over USD55.5 billion. China will leverage the unique role of industrial parks in advancing industrialization, share its experience in developing industrial parks, and work with African countries to jointly build the five growth circles for China-Africa industrial cooperation, so as to boost interconnected regional economic development.

Second, we will deepen infrastructure cooperation to consolidate the foundation for industrial development. Infrastructure is critical to industrialization. Focusing on small and beautiful projects that improve people’s lives, China will help Africa upgrade transport and logistics infrastructure and build connectivity networks through foreign aid, contracted projects, and other channels. We will carry out cooperation in renewable energy such as solar, wind, and small hydro-power to fill the power gap in Africa’s industrialization and support Africa’s green industrial transition. The booming digital economy will become an important engine for Africa’s economic growth. China will support African countries in speeding up the improvement of digital infrastructure, expanding access to digital technologies, and seizing opportunities in digital transformation.

Third, we will deepen human resources cooperation to fully unlock the demographic dividend. China will strengthen knowledge sharing and technical support, and cultivate urgently needed technical and management professionals for African countries’ industrialization through seminars, vocational education and technical training programs. We will urge Chinese enterprises in Africa to actively fulfill social responsibilities, scale up local employment and training, and help local staff acquire professional skills, to effectively turn Africa’s demographic dividend into a robust driving force for industrialization.

Fourth, we will deepen cooperation on trade and investment rules to provide strong institutional support. Starting from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China for two years. To ensure such measures are consistent with WTO rules, China will continue to engage with African countries to conclude the agreements of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, and further expand market access for African exports by upgrading the “Green Channel”. African countries are welcome to actively participate in the China International Import Expo and the “Big Market for All: Export to China” series of events to explore the Chinese and global markets. China stands ready to work with Africa at MC14 to push for the incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO legal framework and its early entry into force. We will also work to sign and upgrade investment agreements with African countries to foster a sound environment for two-way investment.

Colleagues,

As an African proverb goes, “One single pillar is not sufficient to build a house”. In China there is also has an ancient saying, “When all forces are united, nothing is impossible.” Both speak to the power of solidarity and collaboration.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. China has been, is, and will always be a fellow traveler and good partner of Africa in industrialization. I am confident that through extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, walking hand in hand, “China’s Investment” will continue to empower Africa’s industrialization, sow more seeds of cooperation and bear more fruits of win-win results on this promising land of Africa, and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Thank you.