New Chinese envoy lauds Akufo-Addo’s participation in China-Africa Summit

Mr Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana has lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The Summit, which was successfully held in Beijing, from 4th to 6th September, had Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony.
It was attended by leaders from all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China, including President Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
Mr Tong, who gave the commendation during a press briefing in Accra, also lauded the growing strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
The Chinese Ambassador said during the visit to China, President Akufo-Addo had a busy schedule with fruitful results.
Mr Tong noted that on 4th September, President Akufo-Addo attended the welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People.
He said on the afternoon of 5th September, President Akufo-Addo met with President Xi Jinping, during which the two leaders jointly announced the elevation of China-Ghana relations to a strategic partnership.
“This is the most important political outcome of the visit,” Mr Tong added.
The Ambassador said since the establishment of diplomatic relations 64 years ago, the friendship between the two countries had remained strong and enduring, regardless of changes in the international landscape.
He reiterated that China was ready to carry forward the deep friendship forged by the elder generation of the leaders of the two countries with Ghana to constantly enhance political mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields and be good friends who trust each other, good partners for common development, and good brothers with close cooperation.
“China is ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Ghana and continue providing assistance to the best of its ability to Ghana in developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood,” Mr Tong said.
“China is ready to expand cooperation with Ghana in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, energy, mineral resources and infrastructure, and hopes that Ghana will continue to offer relevant support and convenience to Chinese enterprises and citizens.”
He said that China supports Ghana in its work as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term and was ready to enhance strategic coordination with Ghana on international and regional issues.
The Ambassador reiterated President Xi’s commitment in ensuring that the FOCAC Beijing Summit summarizes the historical experience of China-Africa friendship, clarifies the direction and path for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization and leads the way for the Global South.
Mr Tong said China was ready to work with Ghana to jointly follow through on the various results of the Summit.
He said Ghana was one of the first batch of African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China; adding that China had been Ghana’s most trustworthy friend and partner for over 60 years.
He said Ghana highly cherishes its friendship with China, firmly pursues the one-China policy and supports China’s stance on human rights and others.
“Just as an Akan proverb says: “Baanu so, a emmia.” When two carry, it does not hurt. Cooperation is always better than working alone,” he said.
“China is the largest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries”.
Mr Tong said in a world undergoing major changes unseen in a century, China and Africa need to stay united more than ever; declaring that the FOCAC Summit paints a bright future for China-Africa cooperation.
“I believe that under the joint leadership of Chinese and African leaders, with the solidarity and cooperation among 2.8 billion Chinese and African people, we will give fresh impetus to Global South cooperation and break new ground for building a community with a shared future for mankind,” the Ambassador stated.