Excellency Taye Atske Selassie, President of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,

Excellencies, 

Entrepreneurs,

Representatives, 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning!

Today, we gather at the AU Headquarters, to jointly convene the "Inaugural Meeting of China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit". On behalf of the Chinese government, I would like to extend a sincere welcome to the representatives of governments, the AU Commission, business leaders, and friends from all walks of life. Thank you for your long-term active engagement in and strong support to China-Africa economic and trade cooperation!

China and Africa is a community with a shared future and of mutual support. We have always regarded Africa as a sincere friend and reliable partner. At the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, President Xi Jinping announced the elevation of our relations to an "all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era".

This year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. We will further expand the high-standard opening up. This brings us high anticipation for in-depth cooperation between Chinese and African businesses.

First, strategic alignment is key to ensuring the steady and long-term development of China-Africa cooperation. The 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit yielded fruitful results. In the area of Connectivity, we are implementing 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa. In Industrial and Supply Chain, we are willing to work together to build a pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and launch the "African SME Empowerment Program". In Green Development, 30 clean energy projects are being implemented. In Trade and Finance, logistics and financial cooperation is being deepened to support Africa's cross-regional development. Meanwhile, the African Union's Agenda 2063 lists manufacturing, trade and investment, infrastructure connectivity, and digital economy as key development areas. Its Second Decade Implementation Plan further focuses on building the African Continental Free Trade Area. These strategic frameworks are highly compatible, share the same goals, and jointly point to the vision of African integration and modernization.

Second, China consistently fulfills its cooperation commitments to Africa with pragmatic actions. Starting from May 1, 2026, China will implement 100% zero-tariff measures on all tariff lines of products from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. This will pave the way for transforming the vast Chinese market into a great opportunity for African quality products. China International Import Expo is held annually. Last year, at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, investment dialogues were held with Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya, and other countries, attracting numerous Chinese enterprises to participate in bilateral matchmaking with African countries. Last month, we also held a high-level meeting in Cameroon to accelerate African industrialization. These measures demonstrate the solid steps taken by both sides in high-standard opening-up.

Finally, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is ushering in unprecedented opportunities. Our trade volume in 2025 hit a record US$348 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.7%, with China maintaining its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 17 years. The AAfrican continent holds enormous development potential, and China's complete industrial chain system possesses strong momentum. The scope for cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, new energy, digital economy, mining, and financial cooperation is incredibly broad. I would like to call on entrepreneurs in all sectors from both sides to actively engage in exchanges and cooperation, make full use of the zero-tariff measures, the investment facilitation agreements, and various economic and trade dialogue platforms, and seek new opportunities for cooperation.

This meeting, themed "Deepening Practical China-Africa Cooperation and Embarking on a New Journey of Development", focuses on several key sectors including the 9th China International Import Expo, infrastructure, and new energy. It aims to build a high-quality platform for dialogue and cooperation between our enterprises. Faced with the rising unilateralism and protectionism, and the serious impact of the Iranian conflict on the international political and economic landscape, such exchanges are invaluable. 

We have a saying, "One strand does not make a thread; one tree does not make a forest". The African proverb says, "Those who share the same path are true friends". This year marks the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, and is also the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Let us open our minds and take practical actions, to write a new chapter in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and make new contributions to jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era!

I wish this meeting a complete success!

Thank you!