Dear Madam Chair Gobel,

Dear Deputy Secretary-General Moreno,

Dear Director Akiwumi,

Dear Colleagues,

It is a great pleasure to attend today’s meeting. China aligns with the statements made by Peru on behalf of the G77 and China and by Malaysia on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group.

Thank you, Director Akiwumi, for your introduction. This year’s Economic Development in Africa Report focuses on the multiple crises and economic vulnerabilities facing African countries, offering targeted policy recommendations to mitigate risks, unlock trade potential, and foster vibrant regional markets. The report calls on trade partners and international organizations to provide support, creating more opportunities and stability for African countries to enhance economic resilience and achieve sustainable development. China strongly endorses this approach.

China is a reliable partner and true friend to Africa. During last year’s China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines for all least developed countries with diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African nations. Over the past year, African specialty products such as Kenyan avocados, Ethiopian coffee, Rwandan chili sauce, South African wine, Ghanaian chocolate, and Tanzanian cashews have gained widespread recognition in the Chinese market. We are delighted to note that since 2000, China-Africa bilateral trade has grown at an average annual rate of 14.2%, with China maintaining its position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Chinese investment stock in Africa has exceeded $40 billion. China-Africa cooperation has contributed to Africa’s socioeconomic development and improved livelihoods, earning widespread appreciation from African countries and peoples, and serving as a model for South-South cooperation.

Dear Colleagues,

As the report underscores, a stable and predictable international economic environment is essential for African countries to overcome vulnerabilities and achieve socioeconomic progress. However, the United States’ reckless imposition of tariffs has ignited a global trade war, casting an ever-growing shadow of trade tensions over Africa and the world. UNCTAD Secretary-General Greenspan has noted that, raising tariffs will undermine international investment and trade flows, adding uncertainty to an already fragile global economic environment, with vulnerable countries bearing the heaviest consequences.

The U.S.’ tariff abuses contravene fundamental economic principles and market rules, disregard the balanced outcomes of multilateral trading negotiations, and overlook the fact that the U.S. has long derived substantial benefits from international trade. Using tariffs as a tool for maximum pressure and self-interest represents a blatant act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion. This will severely impede the socioeconomic development and modernization efforts of developing countries, including those in Africa, and gravely undermine collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Dear Colleagues,

Development is a universal right for all nations, not a privilege reserved for a few. Global affairs should be addressed through collective consultation, and the future of the world should be shaped by all countries together. China’s resolute countermeasures are not only aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also at upholding multilateral trading systems and universal fairness and justice.

History has repeatedly demonstrated that trade war has no winners, and protectionism leads to nowhere. Openness and cooperation are the path forward. Regardless of shifts in the international landscape, China will continue to pursue high-level opening-up, build an open global economy, and share development opportunities with countries worldwide, including African states, to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, thereby injecting greater certainty and stability into global development.

UNCTAD members are both architects and beneficiaries of economic globalization. An open, fair, and stable international trade order serves the common interest of all. Here, we call on all parties to strengthen unity and cooperation, raise a collective voice, and steadfastly uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system to address the current global trade tensions. China stands ready to work with all parties to champion true multilateralism, ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, maintain an open and cooperative international environment, and guide economic globalization toward a positive direction.

Thank you, Madam Chair.