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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
JOHANNESBURG, November 22 (Xinhua) — The Group of Twenty (G20) summit, which is being held on the African continent for the first time, opened in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The two-day event, themed “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” highlights a key moment for Africa as it seeks to enhance its role in global governance and advance development priorities shared by the Global South.
"The G20 underscores the value and relevance of multilateralism. It recognizes that the challenges we face can only be overcome through cooperation, collaboration, and partnership," said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in his opening speech.
"The adoption of the summit declaration sends a powerful signal to the world that multilateralism can and will deliver real results," said Ramaphosa. "It confirms that, as leaders of the G20, we remain committed to our solemn pledge to leave no one, no community, and no country behind."
“As a founding member of the G20, South Africa is committed to ensuring that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent are firmly and permanently reflected in the G20 agenda,” the President emphasized.
As Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian announced at a regular press conference on November 13, China expressed its full support for South Africa's presidency. He noted that China is ready to work with all parties to achieve consensus at the summit on upholding multilateralism, building an open global economy, and promoting development cooperation.
"We expect this summit to work in the interests of other African countries overall. And we are confident that the Chinese government and other governments around the world will support this agenda," South African Foreign Ministry spokesman Crispin Phiri told Xinhua on Saturday at the summit's media center.
Observers say the Johannesburg summit reflects Africa's growing global influence and demonstrates heightened expectations that China and other countries in the Global South will help strengthen consensus on multilateralism and inclusive development.
The United States refused to participate in the summit and said it would reject any final document presented as a G20 consensus without its consent.
Washington's absence effectively deprives the United States of a role in determining the summit's conclusions, K. Phiri noted on November 19, commenting on the US decision not to participate in the summit.
"We cannot allow coercion by absent parties to become an acceptable tactic," he emphasized. "This will lead to institutional paralysis and undermine collective efforts."
South African presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya told reporters at the media centre that "the summit declaration was unanimously adopted by the leaders present here in South Africa."
South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2024, becoming the first African country to hold the position. The United States is scheduled to assume the presidency on December 1, 2025. –0–
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