In the context of the diplomatic press conference of the Third Session of the 14th National People’s Congress of China, held on 7 March 2025, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, made repeated references to the principle of “discussing, sharing, and building together” in Sino-foreign cooperation, and called for people of all countries to unite for common development, and for attention to be paid to the voices of the Global South.
He also pointed out that the ten partnership action plans put forward at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be gradually implemented to promote the realization of the goal of building China-Africa Community of Shared Future.
This statement reflects the inheritance and development of the traditional Chinese political philosophy of “The whole world as one community” in the new era, and demonstrates China’s firm determination to promote the harmonious development of the world.
The concept of “The whole world as one community” can be traced back to the ancient Chinese text “The Book of Rites”, where it was articulated by Confucian scholars during the period of transition known as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. These scholars propounded the ideal social vision of “commonwealth” and the notion of “The whole world as one community”. Confucian scholars emphasized that the primary responsibility of a ruler was to ensure the well-being of the populace, and that political conduct should be guided by principles of fairness and justice.
They advocated for communalism and the promotion of faith and harmony. Since then, the concept of “The whole world as one community” has emerged as a political ideal for a better society, and it has gradually become the conceptual foundation of China’s foreign relations. In the contemporary era, this concept has undergone a significant reinterpretation, manifesting as the notion of a community with a shared future of mankind.
This transformation reflects China’s profound contemplation on global governance, marking a substantial advancement in the discourse on international cooperation and the pursuit of collective well-being. In the contemporary context, characterized by the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, the strengthening of solidarity and collaboration among developing countries to collectively uphold multilateralism and international justice has become a prevailing trend. This aligns with the notion that the world is a shared resource.
The establishment of the China-Africa Community of Shared Future serves as a tangible embodiment of this commitment to the common good. Since the inception of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China-Africa relations have undergone a significant leapfrog development. This cooperation has been fruitful, benefiting people on both sides, and has been extensive, ranging from infrastructure construction to medical and health cooperation, from talent training to scientific and technological innovation.
China has been African’s top trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In addition, various win-win cooperation platforms have been established, in which true multilateralism is practiced, and China-Africa development is promoted, as well as a more open and compatible model of international cooperation being built, with all participants addressing climate, scientific and technological, and security challenges through dialogue, exchange, and cooperation, while transcending cultural differences and philosophical divergences.
The building of China-Africa Community of Shared Future has also enriched the meaning of the “Global South”. The conceptualization of the Global South is currently undergoing a profound transformation, having been historically associated with labels such as “underdevelopment” and its reflection of the development aspirations of Global Southern countries giving way to a new paradigm. The countries of the Global South have become increasingly represented in the global governance system, their right to speak has been recognized, and their interests have been more adequately reflected in the international rule-making process.
However, the contemporary Global South has demonstrated a new dynamism, assuming a more active role in global governance and contributing unique insights and resilience to global development. Emerging market economies and developing countries have augmented their contributions to global economic growth, becoming pivotal drivers of global economic recovery. The industrialization and urbanization processes in these countries, coupled with the advancement of their educational and cultural infrastructures, have created significant opportunities for global economic development.
The rich cultural traditions, unique development experiences and innovative governance practices of the countries of the South have provided new ideas for addressing global challenges, from Oriental wisdom to African solutions, and the South is reshaping the global knowledge system. In short, the countries of the South are transforming themselves from rule-takers to rule-makers. This transformation is evident in their active involvement in various domains, including climate change, the digital economy, and international finance. Notably, these countries have been instrumental in promoting the development of a more equitable and reasonable global governance system. The Chinese philosophy emphasizes the value of collaboration and mutual learning, as articulated by Confucius’s maxim, “When I walk along with two others， they may serve me as my teachers.”
In this spirit, China’s cooperation with Africa has not only fostered practical benefits but also underscored the immense potential and contributions of the African continent to the global landscape. This sentiment is a fundamental underpinning of China’s commitment to resolving conflicts and addressing challenges through collective action. This notion underlies China’s commitment to resolving conflicts and addressing challenges through solidarity, mutual understanding and dialogue. As members of the Global South, China and its African partners are making a positive contribution to the stabilization of the international political and economic order. The process of countries in the Global South moving towards modernization will be a significant event in world history and an unprecedented feat in the course of human civilization.
The ten partnership action plans formulated at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are to be implemented in stages by 2025, with initial results anticipated. It is hoped that the people of China and Africa will collaborate to build a fair, just, prosperous and harmonious global village for the peace and development of China, Africa and the world as a whole, with the beautiful expectation that “The whole world as one community”.
Li Hongfeng and Li Chunguang are from the School of African Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU)
