Excellencies,

Distinguished Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

It is a great pleasure to once again visit Addis Ababa, this beautiful political capital of Africa. After a lapse of three years, I am honored to stand again in the African Union Conference Center—an iconic symbol of China-Africa friendship—to brief you on the latest developments of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

On behalf of the CIIE Bureau and the Secretariat of the HQF, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all distinguished representatives present for your continued interest in and support for the CIIE and the HQF. I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to our colleagues from the Chinese Mission to the African Union and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia for their strong support.

Before I begin, please allow me to recall the keynote address delivered by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. President Xi pointed out that China and Africa together account for one-third of the world’s population, and that without the modernization of China and Africa, there will be no global modernization. The CIIE and the HQF represent opportunities created by China to promote the shared development of Africa and the world, and are concrete practices in building a global community with a shared future. Today, I will focus on two main points: First, how the CIIE promotes China-Africa shared development through concrete actions; Second, how the HQF builds consensus on development among the Global South through openness.

I. The CIIE Promotes China-Africa Shared Development through Action

At present, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes. Deglobalization sentiments are on the rise, while unilateralism and protectionism are exerting significant impacts on global trade and economic growth. Progress toward the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has fallen far short of expectations. In this context, China remains firmly committed to expanding high-standard opening-up, promoting China-Africa shared development, and advancing the building of a global community with a shared future.

First, China continues to unilaterally expand market access, providing new opportunities for Africa through its vast market.

China is the world’s second-largest consumer market and import market, and the only developing country to host a national-level international import expo dedicated to opening its market to the world. The CIIE, personally planned, proposed, deployed, and promoted by President Xi Jinping, comprises the Country Exhibition, Business Exhibition, Supporting events and People-to-People Exchanges, with the HQF held concurrently. Hosting the CIIE is a significant decision for China to advance high-level opening up in the new era and a major initiative for China to proactively open its market to the world. Since its inception in 2018, the CIIE has been successfully held for eight consecutive years, attracting participants from over 180 countries, regions, and international organizations, with cumulative intended deals exceeding USD 580 billion, continuously injecting momentum into global economic growth.

The CIIE actively supports the participation of developing countries, especially least developed countries. Over the eight editions, 51 African countries have participated, with Egypt, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, and Nigeria serving as Guest Countries of Honor. At the 8th CIIE, dedicated exhibition areas were created for least developed countries, and the African products section was further expanded, with continued support including complimentary booths, transportation assistance, booth construction subsidies, and partial coverage of accommodation and meals.

A growing number of high-quality African products have entered the Chinese market through the CIIE. For example, Benin’s pineapples made their debut at the seventh CIIE and immediately became an instant hit. From quarantine access to the arrival of the first batch of fresh fruits for exhibition took only two months. Subsequently, the Chinese team further resolved bottlenecks in quarantine and transportation for Benin’s pineapples. The CIIE cooperated with customs to open a green channel, enabling Benin’s pineapples to be “unloaded in the morning and uploaded onto exhibition shelves in the afternoon” at the eighth CIIE. By March this year, with Chinese assistance, Benin’s pineapples successfully overcame technical difficulties such as fumigation processes, and the issue of large-scale export to China has been successfully resolved.

Second, China actively helps trading partners enhance export capacity, injecting new momentum into Africa’s development. China is committed to identifying the strengths of its partners and aligning them with China’s market demand. For example, China has long deepened e-commerce cooperation with Africa, supporting African countries in expanding their presence in the Chinese market and striving to make China a top export destination. At the 8th CIIE, a Cross-Border E-commerce Selection Platform and Service Zone were established for the first time, alongside training programs tailored for least developed countries. This has helped create a sustainable chain linking exhibition participation, capacity building, and business transactions, thereby enhancing export capabilities.

Madagascar lamb provides a vivid example: after its debut at the 7th CIIE attracted strong interest from major Chinese enterprises, it returned at the 8th CIIE with expanded sales channels, including e-commerce livestreaming, achieving positive market results.

During last year’s CIIE, China launched a series of initiatives to support partners in expanding exports to China. This year, we will release the Report on Export Capacity to China for the first time, aimed at helping partners improve their export readiness. President Xi has also announced that, starting May 1 this year, China will implement a zero-tariff policy for 100% of tariff lines covering 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with China, while continuing to advance negotiations on economic partnership agreements for shared development and upgrading “Green Channels” to facilitate African exports.

We sincerely invite African countries to use the CIIE as a platform to expand cooperation and bring more high-quality African products and services into the Chinese market.

Third, China supports Africa’s industrial and value chain development through diversified cooperation for sustainable growth. China promotes openness to foster cooperation and shared benefits, and supports the application of new technologies, industries, and business models to empower Africa’s sustainable development.

For example, at the 7th CIIE, Namibian baobab products attracted strong interest. With Chinese R&D expertise applied to baobab-based products, a new model of “African raw materials, Chinese R&D, global sales” has emerged. By the 8th CIIE, high value-added baobab-based skincare products from Namibia were well received.

From raw fruit to refined consumer products, both product forms and value chains have been upgraded. The CIIE has gone beyond facilitating trade—it now serves as a platform for diversified cooperation, supporting Africa’s deeper integration into and greater benefit from global value chains.

II. The HQF Builds Consensus among the Global South through Openness

Over the past four decades, the Global South has grown significantly, with its share of global GDP rising from 24% to over 40%. Development depends on an open and cooperative international environment. The development space for Global South countries should continue to expand within a framework of openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit. In this context, China firmly upholds multilateralism, supports Africa in playing a greater role on the international stage, and helps enhance the representation and voice of the Global South.

The CIIE epitomizes China's commitment to openness and inclusiveness, serving as a concrete manifestation of the country's steadfast support for the multilateral trading system. The HQF is held concurrently with the CIIE each year, aiming to translate such philosophy and practice into a shared voice. The HQF consists of the main forum (the opening ceremony of the CIIE and HQF), parallel sessions, and other activities.

Over the past eight editions, the HQF has brought together a distinguished lineup of global leaders. A total of 60 heads of state and government, as well as leaders of international organizations, have delivered remarks at the main forum, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Vice President Paul Mashatile, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and former President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, among other African leaders.

At the parallel sessions, more than 1,300 prominent speakers have contributed to in-depth discussions, including business leaders such as Bill Gates, leading scholars including Nobel laureate Christopher Pissarides, government officials from various countries, as well as ministerial-level representatives from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, and representatives such as the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, and the Special Envoy of the African Medicines Agency.

The HQF is dedicated to promoting global openness and mutual development, supporting multilateralism, and improving global economic governance, while serving as an international public good. Within the framework of the “1+4” pillar structure, the parallel sessions, closed-door meetings, and other activities focus on pressing global development issues, such as Global South cooperation, WTO reform, industrial and supply chain cooperation, artificial intelligence, digital governance, climate change and energy transition. The HQF builds a multilateral dialogue platform for global political, business, and academic communities, pooling broader consensus for the global south development cause.

First, the HQF pools global wisdom to jointly address the pressing challenges faced by the Global South, and offers practical Chinese solutions for advancing shared sustainable development and building a global development community.

The Forum has consistently valued Africa’s perspectives and voices, and has engaged with stakeholders across the continent through various channels to gather their concerns and suggestions. During the preparatory phase of the 6th HQF, consultation and promotion activities were held for the first time at the headquarters of the African Union. In preparation for the 7th Forum, a seminar on “Global Openness and China-Africa Cooperation,” along with a regional consultation on the Forum’s theme and topics for Africa, was held in South Africa. At the 7th Forum, a parallel session on “Sustainable Development of Global South and China-Africa Cooperation” brought together government officials from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia and other African countries, leaders of international organizations, and experts deeply engaged in China-Africa cooperation, to explore viable pathways for achieving sustainable development through enhanced South-South cooperation.

At the 8th HQF last year, the parallel session on “Agricultural Sustainable Development in the Global South” focused on one of the most immediate challenges facing developing countries—how to ensure food security for more people. The session highlighted the application and dissemination of technologies such as hybrid rice and integrated soil-crop system management across the Global South, and shared practical South-South cooperation models, including whole-chain collaboration among companies, governments, and farmers, technical assistance and training programs, as well as the establishment of China-Africa agricultural science and technology demonstration villages. These efforts have provided concrete Chinese solutions to issues such as poverty reduction, agricultural development, and food shortages in Global South countries.

Second, the HQF upholds multilateralism, enhances the representation and voice of the Global South, and articulates a strong Chinese perspective in support of a more just and equitable global governance system.

The Forum’s outcomes go beyond the exchange of views; it is also committed to producing substantive outputs such as professional research reports, thereby contributing “Hongqiao solutions” to the improvement of global governance.

Since 2021, the HQF has released, for five consecutive years, its flagship World Openness Report and the World Openness Index. These provide a scientific assessment of the openness of 129 economies, filling an important gap in the theory of global openness and serving as a key reference for measuring global openness trends. The World Openness Report 2025 features a dedicated chapter highlighting the opportunities and pathways China offers for the industrialization of the Global South through capacity cooperation and technology sharing.

Over the past five years, the report has attracted growing international attention. Nobel laureates have contributed to dedicated chapters, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has provided strong support, and representatives from multiple countries and international organizations, renowned scholars, and CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies have participated in the report’s release events and related discussions.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

As President Xi Jinping quoted an African proverb at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: “A friend is someone you share the path with.” On the path toward modernization, the over 2.8 billion people of China and Africa are moving forward together—no one should be left behind, and no country should fall behind. “New Era, Shared Future”—this is the theme of the CIIE and our shared vision for China-Africa cooperation. I sincerely invite all of you to Shanghai this November to join us at the CIIE, renew our friendship, and create a better future together.

Thank you.