The Chinese Embassy in Ghana hosted a reception in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, late Friday to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ghana.
Find the full remarks delivered by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, at the ceremony below;
Your Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana,
Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chiefs of Staff, Members of Parliament, Dear colleagues from the diplomatic corps,
My fellow Chinese compatriots,
And all Ghanaian friends,
Friends from the media,
All protocol observed,
Good evening!
Thank you all for joining us tonight for the celebration of the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 65th Anniversary of China-Ghana Diplomatic Relations. “Akwaaba”（欢迎）！Particularly, I’d like to express my special appreciation to Your Excellency Vice President Professor Opoku-Agyemang, for your presence on behalf of the Government of Ghana, which truly showcases the deep friendship between our two countries. We Chinese often say, “A cycle of ten years marks a renewal.” Precisely a decade ago, Your Excellency, who was then the Minister of Education, attended the reception commemorating the 55th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. It is friendship that has brought us together again. I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to Anhui Performing Arts Group from China and Folkloric Selamta Cultural Group from Ghana, who will give us a splendid performances soon.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
The year 2025 holds exceptional significance. Allow me to summarize this year through four numbers: 80, 76, 65, and 1.
The first number is “80”. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. With huge national sacrifice, the Chinese people made major contributions to saving human civilization and safeguarding world peace. History cautions us that humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat each other as equals, coexist in peace, and support each other can we uphold common security and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies.
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit early this month, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). It is another major initiative proposed by China, once again contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to strengthen and improve global governance. President Kwame Nkrumah once said, “We face new problems, but we have the strength and courage to solve them.” Recently, world leaders are gathering in New York to discuss global governance reform on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. In the face of mounting global challenges, China remains steadfast in standing with developing countries, particularly those of African nations. China advocates redressing historical injustices suffered by Africa, and is committed to building a more just and equitable global governance system and advance toward a community with a shared future for humanity.
The second number is “76”. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 76 years ago, its development has captured global attention by achieving two miracles, rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. It has risen to the world’s second-largest economy and the top industrial nation. China had lifted all 98.99 million rural residents out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction target of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a decade ahead of schedule, accounting for over 70% of global poverty reduction. New quality productive forces are emerging rapidly in China. Innovations like the DeepSeek AI model, DJI drones, and Unitree robots are gaining worldwide applause. Half of the world’s newly installed renewable energy capacity now comes from China. 70% of EVs in the world are sold in China. Against a severe and complex background, China’s import and export volume increased by 3.5% in the first eight months of this year, demonstrating the stability and resilience of China’s economy.
The remarkable achievements of Chinese modernization are fundamentally attributed to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping has said: “I will fully commit to the people and never fail them.” The CPC has rigorously implemented the “Eight-Point Rules” in recent years to advance full and strict self-governance, tackle corruption and promote integrity, and persistently pursued self-reform, which has led in a renewed ethos in both the party and the government. It also offers valuable insights for Global South countries seeking to develop modern governance systems tailored to national conditions.
The third number is “65”. This year marks the 65th anniversary since the diplomatic ties between China and Ghana. Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with China. The traditional friendship between the two countries was jointly forged by the older generation of leaders of Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and President Kwame Nkrumah. In the New Era, the two sides continue to deepen political mutual trust and jointly defend the common interests of the Global South in multilateral area such as the United Nations. China highly appreciates Ghana’s firm support on China’s core interests, including the one-China principle. China also supports Ghana’s adherence to the Pan-African tradition. In September 2024, our bilateral relations was elevated to Strategic Partnership, which charted a new course for further development.
China-Ghana practical cooperation has been steadily reinforced. China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment. In 2024, bilateral trade reached a new high of 11.8 billion US Dollars. Hundreds of Chinese enterprises have invested locally, covering sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, aviation, green energy and petroleum refining, creating tens of thousands of jobs.
The people-to-people exchanges have deepened the roots of bilateral friendship. Chinese universities have established three Confucius Institutes in partnership with their counterparts in Ghana, enabling over ten thousand Ghanaian students to study Chinese language. The 14th Chinese Medical Team is providing healthcare services and introducing Chinese medical experience, gaining wide popularity.
The final number is “1”. This year marks the first year of President John Mahama’s new administration, as well as the first year of implementing the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit. On 7th January 2025, President Xi Jinping’s Special Envoy, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Mr. Hao Mingjin, attended the inauguration of President Mahama. The Chinese Special Envoy was the first foreign dignitary received by President Mahama since assuming the presidency.
In June, Hon. Samuel Ablakwa, Foreign Minister of Ghana, attended the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of FOCAC and had a cordial meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China decided in June to give zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to African countries, including Ghana. In July, I had the honor to sign a bilateral agreement of economic and technical cooperation with Hon. Minister Ablakwa. Both sides are now working on the Alfao market construction program. All these are vivid examples of the unity and friendship between China and Ghana.
Fellow compatriots, dear Friends,
The development of China-Ghana relations and the progress and prosperity of our nation would be impossible without the hard work and commitment of the whole Chinese community and businesses here in Ghana. I would like to hereby express my heartfelt thanks and respect to all of you! I hope that you will continue to operate in accordance with laws and regulations, enhance localization, fulfill corporate social responsibilities, and constantly make new contributions to the friendship and cooperation between our two countries!
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
Recalling back, pragmatic cooperation between China and Ghana has yielded abundant results. Looking ahead, the fertile soil of friendship awaits the nurturing of new buds. I am confident that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Mahama, China and Ghana will keep original aspiration to the founding spirit of our diplomatic ties, uphold mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and work hand in hand to build an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. Together, we will continuously enrich the connotations of the China-Ghana Strategic Partnership and jointly begin a new historical chapter of friendly and fruitful cooperation!
Long live China!
Long live Ghana!
Long live China-Ghana friendship!
I thank you for your attention!
Share Us
