Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess Paigie Alghali, recently participated in two high-level diplomatic engagements in Changsha, Hunan Province, representing the country at the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Opening Ceremony of the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE).
The twin events marked a milestone in China-Africa relations, commemorating the 25th anniversary of FOCAC; a platform widely credited for enhancing cooperation and deepening the strategic partnership between China and African nations.
At the Ministerial Meeting, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, His Excellency Wang Yi, delivered a keynote address. He highlighted significant progress since the last FOCAC Summit held in Beijing, referencing the implementation of President Xi Jinping’s Ten Partnership Actions. Wang Yi emphasized the strengthening of strategic mutual trust, the rise in practical cooperation and growing coordination between China and African nations on multilateral platforms.
A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South. This joint declaration reaffirmed China and Africa’s commitment to multilateralism and global equity. It firmly rejected unilateralism, protectionism and economic hegemony while advocating for a fairer international order and the protection of the legitimate interests of developing countries.
The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which followed the Ministerial Meeting, spotlighted the implementation of the Ten Partnership Actions. The Expo served as a major platform for advancing economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa, showcasing initiatives across several key sectors including infrastructure, youth innovation and entrepreneurship, CEO dialogues, legal and logistics services and clean energy development. These efforts align with the broader goals of modernization and inclusive growth.
During the plenary session of the Expo, Deputy Minister Francess Paigie Alghali delivered a compelling keynote address reaffirming Sierra Leone’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism, economic collaboration and regional security. She used the opportunity to highlight a recent milestone in China-Sierra Leone relations; the signing of a Fish Certification contract earlier this year. The agreement was recognized as a significant step in boosting Sierra Leone’s economic prospects and further solidifying bilateral ties with China.
With the China-Africa partnership continuing to expand, gatherings such as the FOCAC Ministerial Meeting and the Economic and Trade Expo reinforce a shared dedication to deepening cooperation, advancing sustainable development and building a resilient Global South through mutual respect and strategic collaboration.
