Welcome Remarks at the Opening of the Strategic Reflection on the implementation of the FOCAC Action Plan through an Enhanced Synergy and Alignment between Agenda 2063 and FOCAC CommitmentsYour Excellency, Mr. Cyprien Mamina, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo and Co-Chair of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation
Your Excellency Martin Mpana, Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to China and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in China
H.E Mrs. Dalva Allen Ambassador of the Republic of Angola and Chair of African Union
Distinguished Ambassadors of AU Member States in Beijing
Your Excellency Ibrahima Sory Sillah, Ambassador of Senegal and immediate past co-chair of FOCAC
Your Excellency Mr. Jingning, Deputy Director General of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs, Ministry of Commerce of P.R.C
Mr. Mr. Li Qi, Counselor of the Department of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.C
Mr. Lahcen Kers, Advisor of the Chairperson of the AU Commission representing the Chief of Staff
Director Idris Amine Adoum Director of Economy, Infrastructure, Trade, industrialization and Regional Integration- AUDA-NEPAD
Esteemed Representatives of the Departments of Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Partnership Management and Resource Mobilization Directorate; Infrastructure and Energy Department and the Office of the Legal Counsel
Your Excellency, Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China,
Excellency Dr. Erasmus Morah and Madam Ama Sande, Representatives of UNAIDS and UNICEF, respectively
Friends from the Media,
Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning,

It is a distinct honor and pleasure to welcome you all to this Strategic Reflection on the implementation of the FOCAC Action Plan through an Enhanced Synergy and Alignment between Agenda 2063 and FOCAC Commitments. I extend my deep appreciation to all of you for honoring our call for this important strategic dialogue, which seeks to chart practical pathways for a more coherent and results-oriented partnership between Africa and China. My special gratitude to our dean for his leadership in convening this important gathering. Merci infiniment.

The motivation for convening this consultation stems from a convergence of key strategic milestones, primarily the First Ten-Year Year Implementation Plan of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Beijing Action Plan, and President Xi Jinping’s Ten Partnership Action Initiatives for Africa. These initiatives outline ambitious commitments across political, economic, social, and institutional domains that provides strategic direction for Africa’s transformation and global engagement. Taken together, these frameworks embody a shared aspiration for inclusive growth, sustainable peace and security, industrialization, and the strengthening of Africa’s voice and influence in global affairs.

It is therefore both timely and necessary that we reflect on the lessons learned from the first decade of Agenda 2063 and 25 years of FOCAC to identify areas of synergy, and explore practical ways to harmonize our respective frameworks.

This consultation has therefore been organized by the African Union Permanent Mission to China in partnership with Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors in China to facilitate a shared reflection among African stakeholders and to propose actionable recommendations that can enhance coordination, coherence, and greater ownership of Agenda 2063 and FOCAC outcomes.

Over the next two days, our discussions will focus on three broad objectives:

First, to draw key lessons and best practices from the implementation of the First Ten Year Plan of Agenda 2063 and the FOCAC Action Plans.

Second, to identify concrete measures for aligning and synergizing these frameworks in ways that deliver measurable impact for African citizens.

And third, to explore modalities for strengthening coordination among African stakeholders in Beijing with the AU Commission and specialized institutions to reinforce the ministerial-level follow-up mechanisms within the FOCAC process.

Excellencies, distinguished participants, the journey ahead is one of shared responsibility and collective vision. The next phase of China-Africa relations must build upon two mutually reinforcing aspirations: Africa’s Agenda 2063 vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent driven by its own citizens, and China’s concept of a community with a shared future for humanity. Both visions emphasize mutual benefit, equity, and respect for sovereignty. Both recognize that the prosperity of one is linked to the progress of the other. The questions in front of us therefore are, how do we ensure a win-win partnership for Africa and China? How do we leverage the might of 2.8 billion people in Africa and China to shape the trajectory of the 21st century? In other words, how we make the 21st century Africa and China’s century?

As we begin our deliberations, let us view this consultation not as an end but as the opening of a sustained dialogue that will inform practical cooperation in the years ahead. Our task is to identify the mechanisms, instruments, and partnerships that can translate vision into measurable progress, while keeping our people-the citizens of Africa and China-at the heart of our efforts. The agenda before us is ambitious, but so too is our shared conviction that through coordination, innovation, and mutual trust, we can deliver on the promise of a modern, resilient, and inclusive China–Africa partnership.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that the success of our partnership with China ultimately depends on Africa’s capacity to define its priorities, coordinate its institutions, and speak with one coherent voice. The African Union Mission in Beijing remains committed to supporting this goal-by serving as a bridge between the African Union Commission and its specialized institutions, the African diplomatic community, and our Chinese counterparts, and by promoting a more transformative and forward-looking Sino-African engagement under the FOCAC framework.

As I conclude, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to our distinguished dean and Ambassadors and diplomats here in Beijing. My gratitude also goes to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their continued solidarity, friendship and partnership. I would also like to acknowledge and thank my colleagues from the AU Commission and specialized institutions for traveling to Beijing to contribute and enrich our deliberation. We are also grateful to the UN system in China for answering our call and for your readiness to engage constructively in support of the African agenda.

I am confident that the insights and perspectives shared during this consultation will contribute meaningfully in shaping the next phase of China-Africa cooperation and advancing the aspirations of Agenda 2063: the Africa we want.

I thank you once again and wish you fruitful deliberations.

And, as we say here in Chine, Sie-Sie.