‘China will not impose its values and political systems upon others,’ says Mission of China to AU minister Zhang Wei

China will not impose its values and political systems upon others, this is according to the Minister of the Mission of China to the African Union (AU) Zhang Wei.

Wei said that while addressing the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference, held on Thursday in Johannesburg.

The forum will conclude on Friday, November 14.

More than 200 participants from over 160 media outlets, think tanks and government organisations across 41 African nations, as well as representatives from China and the African Union, attended the forum.

The conference explores transformative dialogue under the theme “Reforming Global Governance: New Roles and Visions for China-Africa Cooperation.”

He said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the world anti-fascist war and the 

United Nations is an important outcome of that victory.

“With an international system centred around the UN and the international order based on  international law, human society has realised overall peace and achieved unprecedented levels  of development and prosperity.”

He said that at present, unilateralism and cultural mentality are resurfacing. 

“The international rules and order built over the past 80 years are under serious challenge and the once effective international system is constantly disrupted.”

“Faced with challenges of global deficits in peace, development, security, and civilisation and governance, Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and put forward the global development initiative, the global security initiative, the global civilisation initiative, and the global governance initiative.”

According to Wei, the birth of the Chinese solution is rooted in the inclusive and peaceful soil of Chinese civilisation. 

“Chinese civilisation endeavours to integrate various cultures into a shared capacity by transcending regional districts, kinship ties, and religious beliefs.”

“Chinese cultural identity has successfully transformed our vast nation into one that cherishes unity and diversity.”

He said the inclusiveness of Chinese civilisation determines what he said was the open-mindedness of Chinese culture to embrace and draw on other civilisations. 

“The intrinsic peaceful nature of Chinese civilization determines that China will always work to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and uphold international order.

“China will not impose its values and political systems upon others. It is committed to cooperation rather than confrontation, and it will never  not impose its values and political systems upon others.”

“It is committed to cooperation rather than confrontation, and it will never form exclusive norms against others. In September this year, once the global governance initiative was proposed, it immediately received active support from the African Union Commission  and multiple African countries. We would like to express our deepest appreciation.” 

He said China and African countries have similar historical experiences, and share common perspectives on the current international order and global governance.

“China will, as always, firmly support the just positions of African countries and work together with Africa to defend international fairness and justice.”

Wei went on to say that China is a reliable partner for Africa in safeguarding its legitimate interests.

“We practise true multilateralism and will continuously speak up for the legitimate place of African countries in multilateral arenas.

“China's vote in the UN Security Council is always in favour of our African brothers. China is a steadfast supporter of Africa's peace  and security capacity building. As the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, China will continue to support UN peacekeeping operations in Africa,” Wei said.

He said in December, the mission will co-host with the AU Commission and relevant UN agencies an international symposium on the Global Security Initiative. 

“China is a sincere companion of Africa in revitalisation and development. As China pursues high-quality development and implements its zero-tariff policy,  for 53 African countries having diplomatic ties with China, we will make greater contributions to Africa's development and industrialisation.”

Wei said China is a close friend of Africa in civilisational exchange and people-to-people connectivity. 

“The 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges will serve as an opportunity to deepen our civilisational integration and advance the diversification of world civilisations jointly. 

“In conclusion, I wish the forum every success, and I hope that, like the decoranda flowers in Johannesburg, today's discussion will traverse geographically and culturally boundaries to inspire new ideas for the role and mission of China-Africa cooperation in transforming the global governance system,” he said.

The event is attended by Independent Media Chairman Dr Iqbal Survé, City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero, among others.

IOL