Analysing the China-Africa Changsha Declaration - What's the Big Deal with the China-US London Deal? Guangdong's New AI & Robotics Alliance - Li Qiang's Tough Message to State Council Officials
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Page 1: Let’s begin with a report on Xi Jinping and Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of the Congo, sending congratulatory letters to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Changsha. Xinhua reports:
Xi said that “the FOCAC has effectively advanced the vigorous development of China-Africa cooperation since its establishment 25 years ago, becoming a fine example of solidarity and cooperation of the Global South. Xi said that last September, he and African leaders unanimously agreed at the FOCAC Beijing Summit to promote the six-point proposition on the joint endeavor to advance modernization, and to jointly implement the 10 partnership actions for modernization, leading China-Africa relations into a new stage of jointly building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. He said with the efforts of both sides, a number of encouraging early achievements have been made in the implementation of the Beijing Summit’s outcomes. China and Africa have also reached consensus on launching the 2026 China-Africa year of people-to-people exchanges, which is expected to inject new vitality into China-Africa friendly cooperation, Xi added. Noting that the current international situation is marked by changes and turmoil, Xi said China is committed to providing new opportunities for the world with the new achievements of Chinese modernization and offering new impetus to Global South partners, including Africa, via its huge market. China is ready to negotiate and sign the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development to implement the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for 53 African countries which have diplomatic relations with China, Xi said, adding that China will provide more convenience for the least developed countries in Africa to export to China. He also said China is ready to work with Africa to deepen the implementation of the 10 partnership actions for modernization, strengthen cooperation in such key areas as green industry, e-commerce and e-payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, and enhance cooperation in security, finance and the rule of law, to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. Xi pointed out that openness and cooperation are the right path, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes meet the aspiration of the people. He said China and Africa working together to advance modernization will strongly promote solidarity and cooperation in the Global South and open up a brighter prospect for the cause of world peace and development. It is hoped that China and Africa will continue to steadily advance the implementation of the Beijing Summit’s outcomes, carefully plan the future development of the FOCAC, join hands to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity, said Xi.”
Another report on the page discusses China-Africa trade data. It says:
China has maintained its position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.
In 2024, the scale of China-Africa trade exceeded 2 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 2.1 trillion yuan.
In the first five months of this year, China’s imports and exports to Africa were 963.21 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.4%, a historic high. Among them, exports to Africa were 599.57 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 20.2%; imports from Africa were 363.64 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%.
This ministerial meeting ended with the issuance of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration On Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South. This is published on Page 3. The full English text of the document is available on Xinhua.
“We call on all countries, especially countries in the Global South, to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. We commend the initiative of jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era for its positive significance in safeguarding solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and defending multilateralism.”
We agree that the frequent occurrence of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying has created severe difficulties for the economic and social development and the improvement of livelihood in African countries and other developing countries. This is a pressing challenge that members of the Global South including China and African countries must address.
Given that certain countries’ attempt to disrupt the existing international economic and trade order by tariffs undermines the common good of the international community, we call on all countries, the United States in particular, to return to the right track of resolving trade disputes through consultation based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. The international community should give prioritized attention to the economic difficulties and development challenges faced by African countries. Development assistance to African countries should be effectively increased, not unilaterally slashed, to provide continued support to help African countries improve people’s livelihood, reduce poverty and boost economic and social development.
The African side commends China’s courage and resolve to defend international equity and justice and safeguard international economic and trade order. China highly commends African countries’ commitment to the basic principles of sovereignty, equality and justice and to upholding a common position in the face of external pressure. Unilateral concession cannot earn mutual respect. We resolutely oppose any party reaching a deal of compromise at the expense of the interests of other countries.
We call on the international community to uphold true multilateralism in accordance with the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, defend the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, mutually beneficial and balanced, so as to foster a better trade, investment and financing environment for the Global South.
China is ready to, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, or all African countries except Eswatini, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market. For the least developed countries in Africa, on top of the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, China will roll out measures on market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and technical training, and expand the promotion of quality products.
China is ready to work with Africa to deepen the implementation of the ten partnership actions for modernization, prioritize cooperation in such key areas as green industry, e-commerce and e-payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, and enhance cooperation in security, finance and the rule of law, so as to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.
My take on this joint declaration:
First, this is a document that’s high on rhetoric and low on substance. That said, it is still quite remarkable. The language is clearly Beijing’s.
Second, the document repeats and endorses every major Chinese initiative and normative proposals. As per the document, African states are not just endorsing Chinese global initiatives, which they have in the past, but they are also asking others to do so. This is new. From a normative perspective, the document defines “true multilateralism” as one that features “extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit”. This is a Chinese concept.
Third, the commendation for China for its “courage and resolve to defend international equity and justice and safeguard international economic and trade order” is also indicative of positioning China as the leader of the Global South.
Fourth, this statement: “We resolutely oppose any party reaching a deal of compromise at the expense of the interests of other countries” is also interesting. It reveals not just Beijing’s anxieties around other countries cutting deals with the US but also indicative that China is willing to apply pressure to deter countries from doing so.
Also on Page 3 is a report on Wang Yi’s meetings with visiting African foreign ministers. You can find the English report here.
Back to the front page, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang’s remarks at the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange in Chengdu. The report says that Ding made four points:
First, further strengthen open cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, jointly explore a new model of mutually-beneficial and win-win global scientific and technological cooperation, support relevant scientific research institutions, universities, enterprises, and think tanks in various countries to establish a cooperation network, and work together to overcome major scientific and technological problems.
Second, further promote the universal sharing of scientific and technological achievements, adhere to the principle of ‘science has no borders and benefits all mankind’, vigorously improve the accessibility of science and technology, effectively implement the BRI special cooperation plan for poverty reduction through science and technology, so that the achievements of scientific and technological innovation can better benefit all countries, especially the Global South.
Third, further expand scientific and technological and people-to-people exchanges, strengthen innovation partnerships, and carry out various forms of exchange such as mutual visits, exchange of students, technical training, and academic conferences, so as to tighten the friendly bond of cooperation between science and education.
Fourth, further improve the global science and technology governance system, properly respond to the rule conflicts, social risks, and ethical challenges that technological development may bring, oppose the pan-politicisation and pan-securitisation of technological cooperation, and promote technological innovation to always develop in a direction that benefits the progress of human civilisation.
丁薛祥提出4点建议：一是进一步加强科技创新开放合作，共同探索互利共赢的全球科技合作新模式，支持各国相关科研机构、高校、企业、智库建立合作网络，携手攻克重大科技难题。二是进一步推动科技成果普惠共享，坚持“科学无国界、惠及全人类”，大力提升科学技术的可及性，实施好“一带一路”科技减贫专项合作计划，使科技创新成果更好惠及各国特别是全球南方国家。三是进一步扩大科技人文交流，强化创新伙伴关系，广泛开展往来互访、互派留学生、技术培训、学术会议等多种形式的交流，拉紧科技与教育合作的友好纽带。四是进一步完善全球科技治理体系，妥善应对科技发展可能带来的规则冲突、社会风险、伦理挑战，反对把科技合作泛政治化、泛安全化，推动科技创新始终朝着有利于人类文明进步的方向发展.
Next, there’s a report on the State Council holding a constitutional oath ceremony. The report says that 49 senior officials of 42 departments and units under the State Council pledged allegiance to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. Li Qiang spoke at this event. The report says:
Li said that “the positions everyone holds today are the result of the trust placed in them by the Party and the people, and this trust must be cherished. The solemn oath must be kept firmly in mind and faithfully upheld in action. It is necessary to forge firm loyalty, deeply study and thoroughly comprehend Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and be resolute executors, action-oriented people who tackle difficulties, and pragmatic doers who are good at accomplishing tasks. One must faithfully practice the rule of law, take the lead in respecting, studying, abiding by, and applying the law, effectively uphold social fairness and justice, and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of the people. One must exercise strict self-discipline, continuously improve work style, temper Party spirit, consciously accept oversight from all sectors, and set an example in integrity and anti-corruption.” 宣誓后，国务院总理李强作了讲话。他强调，大家走到今天的岗位上，是党和人民给予的信任，一定要倍加珍惜。要把郑重的誓言铭记在心、恪守践行。要铸牢忠诚，学深悟透习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，全面贯彻落实党中央决策部署，做雷厉风行的执行者、攻坚克难的行动派、善作善成的实干家。要笃行法治，带头尊法学法守法用法，切实维护社会公平正义，保障人民群众合法权益。要严格律己，持续改进作风、锤炼党性，自觉接受各方面监督，做反腐倡廉的表率.
“Li Qiang pointed out that at present, the task of comprehensively advancing Chinese-style modernisation through high-quality development is extremely arduous and heavy, and the external environment is also increasingly complex and severe. The more difficult and challenging the situation, the more it tests the sense of responsibility and capabilities of cadres. We must carry forward the spirit of not avoiding difficulties and courageously taking responsibility, strengthen the will to dare to struggle and be good at struggling, refine the courage to advance despite difficulties and rise to meet challenges, directly face contradictions and problems, not wait or rely on others but take initiative, unwaveringly handle our own affairs well, and firmly grasp the initiative in development. We must forge capabilities to respond to changing circumstances and open new fronts, actively apply our minds, improve our ability to predict situations and implement precise policies, adapt to new requirements such as developing new quality productive forces and strengthening the domestic circulation, break through fixed thinking patterns, plan effective approaches and carriers for work, and continuously open up new prospects in our work. We must gather the combined force of grasping implementation and promoting development, focus on key work such as expanding domestic demand and boosting consumption, building a unified national market, and optimising the business environment, strengthen departmental cooperation, pay attention to coordinated efforts, and enhance development momentum through policy synergy and work synergy. He emphasised that under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we must work steadfastly and forge ahead with determination to contribute our strength to the cause of building a strong nation and realizing national rejuvenation.” 李强指出，当前以高质量发展全面推进中国式现代化任务十分艰巨繁重，外部环境也更为复杂严峻。越是困难多挑战大，越能考验干部的担当精神和能力水平。要发扬不避难、勇担当的精神，强化敢于斗争、善于斗争的意志，淬炼知难而进、迎难而上的胆识，直面矛盾问题，不等不靠、主动作为，坚定不移办好自己的事，牢牢把握发展主动权。要锻造应变局、开新局的本领，积极开动脑筋，提高形势预判和精准施策能力，适应发展新质生产力、做强国内大循环等新要求，破除思维定势，谋划有效的工作抓手和载体，不断打开工作新局面。要凝聚抓落实、促发展的合力，围绕扩大内需提振消费、建设全国统一大市场、优化营商环境等重点工作，强化部门配合，注重协同发力，以政策合力、工作合力增强发展动力。他强调，要在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，扎实工作、奋发进取，为推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业贡献力量.
Finally, there’s a brief report informing that China’s AG600 large amphibious aircraft was granted a production certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in Zhuhai. This is the official beginning of the AG600’s mass production phase. Global Times says:
“The AG600 ‘Kunlong” aircraft has strengths including excellent low-altitude and low-speed performance, high efficiency in firefighting and rescue operations, stable takeoff and landing on water, a wide range of mission capabilities, independently advanced technology, and a fully domestically developed support system.”
Page 3: There’s a report on the meeting between Chinese and American officials in London. It says:
“Both sides conducted frank and in-depth dialogue, deeply exchanged views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern, reached agreement in principle on the measures framework for implementing the important consensus from the two countries’ heads of state phone call on June 5th and consolidating the results of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and made new progress on resolving each other's economic and trade concerns.”
“He Lifeng said that this meeting was an important consultation conducted under the guidance of the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state on June 5 this year. China’s attitude and position on Sino-US economic and trade issues are clear and consistent. The essence of Sino-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win. China and the United States will benefit from cooperation in the economic and trade field, but will suffer from confrontation. There are no winners in a trade war. China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid of fighting. The two sides should resolve economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation. China is sincere and principled in economic and trade consultations. In the next step, the two sides should further leverage the role of the Sino-US economic and trade consultation mechanism in accordance with the important consensus and requirements reached by the two heads of state in the call, and continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation. China reiterated that the two sides should move toward each other, match words with deeds, act on their commitments with sincerity and practical efforts, jointly safeguard the hard-won outcomes of dialogue, maintain communication and dialogue, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-US economic and trade relations, injecting more certainty and stability into the world economy.” 何立峰表示，本次会议是在两国元首今年6月5日战略共识指引下开展的一次重要磋商。中方对中美经贸问题的态度和立场是明确的、一贯的。中美经贸关系的本质是互利共赢，中美在经贸领域合则两利、斗则俱伤。贸易战没有赢家，中方不愿打，但也不怕打。双方应通过平等对话、互利合作解决经贸分歧，中方对经贸磋商是有诚意的，也是有原则的。下一步，双方要按照两国元首通话达成的重要共识和要求，进一步发挥好中美经贸磋商机制作用，不断增进共识、减少误解、加强合作。中方重申，双方应相向而行，言必行、行必果，拿出恪守承诺的诚信精神和切实履行共识的努力行动，共同维护来之不易的对话成果，继续保持沟通对话，推动中美经贸关系行稳致远，为世界经济注入更多确定性和稳定性.
The agreement that has been reached is pending the approval from the leadership on both sides. WSJ’s report says:
“China is putting a six-month limit on rare-earth export licenses for U.S. automakers and manufacturers, according to people familiar with the matter, giving Beijing leverage if trade tensions flare up again while adding to uncertainty for American industry.”
“In exchange for the Chinese easing rare-earth curbs for now, the people said, U.S. negotiators agreed to relax some recent restrictions on the sale to China of products such as jet engines and related parts, as well as ethane, a component of natural gas important in manufacturing plastics.”
“For now, tariffs are staying at levels agreed to in the deal reached in Switzerland in mid-May. Trump said in his Thursday post that the U.S. is “getting a total of 55% tariffs”—a reference to the 30% duties applied in his second term on China, which added to levies in place before he took office in January. Trump also said in his post that China is “getting 10%” tariffs on American products. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, average Chinese tariffs on U.S. products are about 33%.”
“The U.S. isn’t walking back measures aimed at preventing China from accessing critical American technology that could help advance its ambitions in such strategic sectors as high-end chips and artificial intelligence.”
In the paper today, there’s also a Zhong Sheng commentary. It says that the talks in London were “a new step taken by both sides to resolve bilateral economic and trade issues through equal dialogue. Both China and the US recognise the importance of stable China-US economic and trade relations to the economies of both countries and the global economy, and the constructive results achieved by the meeting have also brought new ‘optimism’ to the world.” 这是双方通过平等对话解决两国经贸问题迈出的新一步，中美双方都认识到稳定的中美经贸关系对两国经济和全球经济的重要性，会议取得的建设性成果也给世界带来了新的“乐观情绪”.
“The establishment of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism is an important result of the Geneva economic and trade talks. It provides an institutional guarantee for both sides to bridge differences and deepen cooperation. The Chinese and US heads of state agreed in a phone call a few days ago that the teams of both sides will continue to implement the Geneva consensus and hold a new round of talks as soon as possible. President Xi Jinping emphasised in the call that both sides should make good use of the established economic and trade consultation mechanism. This meeting is an important consultation conducted under the guidance of the strategic consensus of the two heads of state. All sectors of both countries and the international community paid high attention to this meeting, generally believing that as the world’s top two economies, cooperation is better than friction for China and the US, dialogue is better than confrontation, and expecting both sides to persist in resolving differences through equal dialogue and consultation, injecting more stability and certainty into the world economy.” 建立中美经贸磋商机制，是日内瓦经贸会谈的重要成果，为双方弥合分歧、深化合作提供了制度保障。中美元首日前通话时同意双方团队继续落实好日内瓦共识，尽快举行新一轮会谈。习近平主席在通话中强调，双方要用好已经建立的经贸磋商机制。此次会议正是在两国元首战略共识指引下开展的一次重要磋商。两国各界和国际社会高度关注此次会议，普遍认为中美作为世界前两大经济体，合作比摩擦好，对话比对抗好，期待双方坚持通过平等对话协商解决分歧，为世界经济注入更多稳定性和确定性.
Looking back at the history of China-US relations development, one experience is very clear: strengthening communication and dialogue through institutional arrangements plays an important role for both sides to properly handle differences and enhance cooperation. At this meeting, both sides conducted frank and in-depth communication and made new progress on resolving each other’s economic and trade concerns, which is precisely the consultation mechanism playing its role. The healthy development of China-US economic and trade relations requires joint care from both sides. Any achievement is hard-won and needs to be doubly cherished and maintained. In the next step, both sides should, in accordance with the important consensus and requirements reached in the phone call between the heads of state of both countries, further leverage the role of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism well, continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings, and strengthen cooperation. 回顾中美关系发展史，一条经验十分清晰：以机制性安排加强沟通对话，对于双方妥处分歧、增进合作具有重要作用。此次会议，双方进行了坦诚深入沟通，就解决彼此经贸关切取得新进展，正是磋商机制在发挥作用。中美经贸关系的健康发展需要双方共同呵护，任何成果的取得都来之不易，需要加倍珍惜和维护。下一步，双方应按照两国元首通话达成的重要共识和要求，进一步发挥好中美经贸磋商机制作用，不断增进共识、减少误解、加强合作.
After decades of development, China and the United States have formed a pattern of complementary advantages, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation in the economic and trade field. This is the result of bilateral efforts and common endeavors by enterprises and people of both countries, and the result of market forces and international division of labor. Stable China-US economic and trade relations are of great significance to the economies of both countries and the world economy. The economic and trade exchanges between China and the United States are large in scale, rich in connotation, wide in coverage, and involve multiple subjects. It is normal to have differences. Resolving differences will not be achieved overnight. It takes time and wisdom. Facts have proved that the unilateral trade restrictions taken by the United States have not only harmed the interests of Chinese companies, but also domestic companies and consumers in the United States, and have dragged down the long-term stable growth of the world economy. Only by adhering to the correct direction of equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, maintaining patience and accumulating results can we truly achieve the goal of resolving differences and enhancing cooperation. 历经数十年发展，中美在经贸领域已形成优势互补、互利共赢的格局，这是两国企业和人民双向奔赴、共同努力的结果，是市场作用和国际分工的结果。稳定的中美经贸关系对两国经济和世界经济都具有重要意义。中美双方经贸交往规模庞大、内涵丰富、覆盖面广、涉及主体多元，存在分歧是正常的，解决分歧不会一蹴而就，需要时间，更需要智慧。事实证明，美方单方面采取的贸易限制措施，损害的不仅是中国企业利益，美国国内企业、消费者也深受其害，更拖累世界经济长期稳定增长。唯有坚持平等对话、互利合作的正确方向，保持耐心，积累成果，才能真正实现化解分歧、增进合作.
“The Chinese side is sincere about economic and trade consultations, but at the same time is also principled. As a responsible major country, the Chinese side takes seriously, strictly implements, and actively maintains the Geneva economic and trade talks consensus. At this meeting, the Chinese side once again expressed its clear position and attitude of implementing the consensus and requirements of the heads of state and jointly maintaining the hard-won dialogue results. The US side also expressed that it will work in the same direction with the Chinese side in accordance with the requirements of the phone call between the heads of state of both countries, and jointly implement the ‘London Framework’ well. We hope that the US side, like the Chinese side, will match words with deeds and deeds with results, showing the spirit of integrity in keeping commitments and concrete actions in earnestly implementing consensus, resolving bilateral economic and trade issues through equal dialogue.” 中方对经贸磋商是有诚意的，但同时也是有原则的。作为负责任大国，中方认真对待、严格落实、积极维护日内瓦经贸会谈共识。在本次会议上，中方再次表明落实元首共识和要求、共同维护来之不易的对话成果的鲜明立场和态度。美方也表示，将按照两国元首通话要求，与中方相向而行，共同落实好“伦敦框架”。希望美方与中方一样言必行、行必果，拿出恪守承诺的诚信精神和切实履行共识的努力行动，通过平等对话解决两国经贸问题.
The final bit is interesting in that it reminds us that despite the pressure, in the first five months of this year, China’s exports expanded by 7.2%.
Page 11: There’s a report informing that the Guangdong AI and Robotics Industry Alliance has been established in Guangzhou. The alliance is headed by the Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce, and brings together various entities such as enterprises, universities, research institutes, and application units. It has 11 professional committees such as intelligent manufacturing, intelligent robots, and cutting-edge technologies. It aims to promote upstream and downstream collaboration across the industrial chain and the deep integration of industry, academia, and research, and to press the ‘accelerator’ for the development of Guangdong’s AI and robotics industry. 广东省人工智能与机器人产业联盟近日在广州正式成立。该联盟以广东省工商联为主管单位，汇聚企业、高校、科研院所、应用单位等各类创新主体，下设智能制造、智能机器人、前沿技术等11个专业委员会，旨在推动产业链上下游协同、产学研深度融合，为广东省人工智能与机器人产业发展按下“加速键”.
In the next step, the alliance will systematically lay out a full-chain ecological system from technology research and development to industrial implementation. The target scale of the industrial fund is 10 billion yuan; the first phase of fundraising is 2 billion yuan. It will focus on supporting the research and development of core technologies such as AI large models, intelligent robots, and chip semiconductors. At the same time, it will promote vertical scenario applications such as intelligent manufacturing and smart cities, and help technology accelerate from the laboratory to industrialisation. 下一步，联盟将系统布局从技术研发到产业落地的全链条生态体系，其中产业基金目标规模100亿元，首期募资20亿元，重点支持AI大模型、智能机器人、芯片半导体等核心技术研发，同时推动智能制造、智慧城市等垂直场景应用，助力技术从实验室加速走向产业化.