The 'Global South Dialogue · China-Africa Roundtable Forum' was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, gathering dozens of guests from Chinese and African political circles, academia, and media. The forum focused on in-depth exchanges on topics such as implementing the Global Governance Initiative, the role of the media, and China-Africa cooperation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and China-Africa cooperation has been growing with key platforms like FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of China and Africa working together to advance modernization in six aspects and taking partnership actions for modernization to deepen cooperation and spearhead Global South modernization. As the world's largest developing country and the continent with the largest concentration of developing countries, China and Africa share a common history of anti-colonial and anti-hegemonic struggles and a shared mission of development and rejuvenation. The Global Times, in collaboration with the National School of Government of South Africa and the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at the University of Johannesburg, hosted the forum to explore ways to strengthen South-South cooperation, advance institutional innovation and experience sharing, and contribute China-Africa wisdom and Global South solutions to promoting world peace and development and improving global governance. Zhang Wei, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, highlighted the successful convening of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and China's efforts toward high-quality development, high-standard living, high-efficiency governance, and high-level opening-up. He emphasized the Global Times' willingness to forge friendships with African think tanks, media organizations, and sectors to build consensus on strengthening people-to-people bonds and mutual learning among civilizations. Phindile Mkwanazi, Acting Principal of the National School of Government of South Africa, emphasized the importance of the dialogue in reminding the Global South of its logical and political space. Busani Ngcaweni, Director of the Center for Public Policy and African Studies at the University of Johannesburg, discussed the Global Governance Initiative, which promotes a more inclusive and equitable international system rooted in sovereign equality, shared development, and mutual respect. Pinky Sharon Kekana, Deputy Minister for Public Service Administration of South Africa, emphasized the role of dialogue in promoting mutual understanding and respect between South Africa and China to resolve conflicts threatening global prosperity. Qin Zhanpeng, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, highlighted the 25th anniversary of FOCAC and China's strategic-level bilateral relations with African countries, elevating China-Africa relations to the All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. The forum featured three thematic sessions: Establishing Collective Consensus, Shaping Shared Discourse, and Building Joint Capacity. Yang Ou, President of the African General Bureau of the People's Daily, suggested that China-Africa media should act as recorders, participants, and pioneers in development, cultural, and civilizational exchanges, fostering a public opinion foundation for the All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. Guests agreed that Global South countries should consolidate strength through cooperation, deepen mutual understanding through exchanges, and shape the future through innovation. Ayanda Hollow, president of TV BRICS Africa, expressed the profound significance of Global South cooperation and the media's role in promoting communication and understanding between China, Africa, and the Global South.
