Ashraf AboArafe writes

The China–Africa Partnership Conference, held under the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum, opened Thursday in Johannesburg with a strong emphasis on strengthening cooperation, amplifying the collective voice of the Global South, and advancing a fairer system of global governance.

Hosted by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY, in collaboration with the African Union and independent media organizations in South Africa, the two-day conference brought together more than 200 representatives from over 160 media outlets, research institutions, government bodies, and international organizations from China and 41 African countries.

Xinhua’s Central Role in Shaping the Agenda

Delivering the keynote address, Liu Yansong, Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency, stressed that President Xi Jinping has consistently prioritized China–Africa cooperation. Liu recalled Xi’s proposal at last year’s Beijing FOCAC Summit to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership into a China–Africa community with a shared future in all circumstances in the new era.

Liu highlighted the responsibility entrusted to media and think tanks to provide reliable information, document the transformations of the era, and contribute intellectual strength to make the Global South a stabilizing force for peace, a pillar of open development, and a constructive player in global governance.

He called for advancing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. Liu emphasized that Chinese and African media and research institutions should deliver high-quality reporting and academic output to articulate Global South solutions and support comprehensive reforms of the global governance system.

Global South Unity and Expanding Influence

Iqbal Survé, Chairman of South Africa’s Independent Media Group, praised the China–Africa partnership as “a beacon of what genuine cooperation can achieve,” rooted in mutual respect and shared goals. He noted that the conference demonstrated growing cohesion and influence of the Global South in global discourse.

Leslie Richer, Director of Information and Communication at the African Union, said that today’s shifting global landscape has intensified calls from the Global South for equitable representation, sovereign control over resources, and dignified development.

Africa, she said, seeks to evolve from being “a participant in global conversations” to becoming “a co-author of humanity’s future,” working with China and other Global South partners to amplify their voice on issues such as climate, financing, and digital governance.

China–Africa Partnership: Shared History and Shared Mission

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said that China, the world’s largest developing country, and Africa, home to the largest concentration of developing nations, share a common history of resisting colonialism and a collective mission of development and modernization.

He underscored the unique role of media and think tanks in fostering solidarity among the Global South, describing the forum as a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and building consensus.

Three Core Themes: Governance Reform, Global Development, and Civilizational Exchange

Participants held in-depth discussions on three major topics:

• China and Africa’s commitment to global governance reform
• Joint efforts to advance the development of the Global South
• Media and cultural exchange under a vision of global civilizational coexistence

Speakers noted that after nearly seven decades of evolution, China–Africa relations have become a model for a new type of international partnership, with deepening cooperation driving modernization across the Global South.

Practical Cooperation: Technology, Energy, and Capacity Building

Gambian Minister of Information Ismaila Sissay stressed that the future of global governance must be inclusive, multipolar, and reflective of humanity’s diverse experiences. He commended China’s support for media training, technology transfer, and infrastructure development across Africa.

Representatives from Chinese enterprises expressed readiness to expand cooperation:

• Energy sector: China Energy Investment Corporation highlighted plans to share expertise in renewable energy, power system development, and talent training to strengthen Africa’s energy security.
• Trade and industry: Hunan Province pledged deeper economic cooperation, increased imports of African products, and the transfer of competitive technologies and industrial capacity.

New Initiatives Launched

The forum saw the release of a policy report titled “Building a New Model of Global Leadership Together – Working Toward a Fairer and More Rational Global Governance System.”
It also witnessed the launch of the Global South Joint Communication Partnership Network under the theme:
“United in Heart, Path, and Action – China–Africa Partnership Empowerment Plan 2026.”

The conference reaffirmed the expanding role of the Global South in shaping a multipolar world. With Xinhua News Agency at the forefront of coordination, dialogue, and intellectual leadership, the China–Africa partnership continues to position itself as a driving force for balanced narratives, inclusive development, and reformed global governance.