- The China-Africa cooperation is an example of this principle in action, paving the way for innovative South-South cooperation models.
- For example, Chinese-initiated infrastructure projects in Africa, such as railways and roads, have not only improved transportation.
Image: PCS
Against a backdrop of intertwined challenges and opportunities, China and African nations, as prominent members of the "Global South", have a historic responsibility to uphold peace and promote common development, and share a common vision for peace and progress.
On March 8, 2024, during the 13th session of the China-Africa Think Tank Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, over one hundred scholars from fifty African nations reviewed decades of China-Africa cooperation, discussed future paths for global development.
Ultimately, they formulated the Dar es Salaam Consensus. This Consensus outlines eight key initiatives, emphasising priorities such as development, world multi-polarisation, inclusive economic globalisation, reform of the international financial system, high-quality sustainable development, activation of endogenous development dynamics, comprehensive security cooperation and shared development knowledge.
The unveiling of the consensus underscores the deep desire of both China and African countries to enhance cooperation and promote South-South cooperation, reflecting their unified stance on international affairs. This alignment is also in line with the broader goals of strengthening global South-South cooperation and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The countries of the Global South face many challenges in their quest for development, often marginalised within the global economic and political framework and hampered by inequitable terms of trade, lack of investment, restrictions on technology transfer and environmental pressures. As a result, these countries are vulnerable to international financial market volatility, capital flight, currency depreciation and debt crises, all exacerbating their development challenges.
The Consensus endorses the principle of development primacy and places development at the centre of international cooperation. It calls on the Global South to increase their self-reliance, diversify their economies and contribute to a new equitable and mutually supportive global political-economic architecture. This strategy enables these countries to better withstand external shocks and achieve sustainable socioeconomic growth.
The China-Africa cooperation is an example of this principle in action, paving the way for innovative South-South cooperation models. For example, Chinese-initiated infrastructure projects in Africa, such as railways and roads, have not only improved transportation, but also spurred local industrialisation and urbanisation. The Mombasa-Nairobi railway, built by a Chinese company, has reduced freight transit times and boosted economic growth and job creation along its route. This illustrates the key role of infrastructure development in regional economic integration.
The spirit of mutual benefit and win-win underpins the Consensus. This ethos ensures that cooperation not only serves unilateral interests, but also promotes collective benefits. It emphasises the importance of equitable cooperation in economic globalization, advocating stronger global economic governance, reduced trade barriers, more resilient production and supply chains, and support for African countries to upgrade their industrial and agricultural sectors.
In addition, China-Africa cooperation in knowledge sharing is enhancing mutual understanding and deepening their partnership. Both regions face common economic, social and environmental challenges; sharing knowledge and experience allows them to jointly develop effective solutions, enhance problem-solving efficiency and promote common development.
The development-oriented and mutually beneficial approaches promoted by the Consensus offer new philosophical and practical frameworks for China-Africa cooperation and the wider Global South. They highlight the potential of South-South cooperation to drive global development and prosperity. As the Consensus gains traction, it is expected to strengthen the role of the Global South on the world stage and contribute significantly to the achievement of global sustainable development goals.
Assistant research fellow, Institute of African Studies, ZJNU