BEIJING, November 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CGTN published an article on the first landing of the G20 summit in Africa, highlighting China’s call for unity rather than division in global governance. It highlights Beijing’s efforts to amplify the voices of developing countries and promote an open, fair and inclusive global economy.
For the first time since its creation, the G20 Leaders’ Summit took place on the African continent. Johannesburg hosts the gathering on November 22-23, marking a notable shift in global governance: emerging economies and developing countries are no longer watching from the sidelines but moving closer to the center of decision-making.
Addressing the first session of the summit on Saturday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang cited President Xi Jinping’s remarks at the 17th G20 summit: “Solidarity is strength, but division leads nowhere.” In a world strained by geopolitical tensions, weak trade and widening development gaps, Li saw unity as essential. He urged G20 members to amplify the voices of developing countries and contribute to building a fairer and more open global economic order.
Raising the voice of developing countries
For China, the first G20 summit in Africa showed why it is important to strengthen the voice of the Global South in the current multilateral system.
“No matter how the international landscape changes, we in China will always keep the Global South in our hearts and uphold our roots in the Global South,” President Xi promised.
Over the years, China, under Xi’s leadership, has taken concrete steps to defend developing countries, help countries in the South strengthen their representation and voice in international governance, and promote a more just and equitable international order.
At the 2022 G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, China took the lead in supporting the African Union’s (AU) membership in the G20, a step that has now made Africa a permanent seat at the table rather than a marginal voice.
China’s efforts extend beyond the G20. China has supported BRICS’ historic expansion, broadening the group’s reach and transforming it into what Beijing describes as “a new journey toward greater BRICS cooperation.” He also promoted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a major regional platform uniting countries across Eurasia. The International Mediation Organization (IOMed), jointly established by China and more than 30 other countries, has broken the Western monopoly on dispute resolution mechanisms.
Beijing also expanded cooperation frameworks in the developing world: from 10 partnership actions with Africa to five major projects with Latin America, five cooperation frameworks with Arab countries and six cooperation platforms with Pacific island nations to strengthen the capacity and voice of developing countries in global affairs.
China’s commitment to building an open global economy
Unilateralism and protectionism remain endemic, while hegemonism and power politics arise against the tide of history. In Xi’s eyes, the only way out is to practice true multilateralism.
The Chinese president has reiterated on numerous multilateral occasions that China always pursues the basic state policy of opening-up and has taken real measures to promote an open world economy.
Over the years, China has actively promoted global free trade. As of January this year, China had signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries or regions.
Regionally, China has expanded its economic integration through a growing network of free trade agreements, concluding an upgraded agreement with ASEAN, and implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Its demands to join broader frameworks such as the CPTPP and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement demonstrate a move towards higher quality and more interconnected markets.
Infrastructure and investment are another part of China’s opening speech. Through the Belt and Road Initiative and institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank, Beijing has supported the cross-border ties that many developing countries view as gateways to growth and trade.
SOURCE CGTN
