Remarks by H.E. TONG Defa, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, at the Reception for National Day and His Assumption of Office
（20th September, 2024）
His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana,
Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister for National Security,
Excellencies and members from the diplomatic corp,
Friends from the media,
My dear compatriots,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening！
“Akwaaba”.On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to thank all of you for joining us tonight to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and also my assumption of office. Particularly, I’d like to express my specialgratitude to Your Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, for your presencetoday. It isthe perfect example of the deep friendship between our two countries. I would also like to express my appreciation to Hon. Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, as our guest speaker on behalf of the Government of Ghana, which showcases the strong bond of practical cooperation between our two countries.
On 4thAugust, I arrived in Ghana to assume my new duties. This is my second time to set foot on this beautiful land. Upon arrival, I was fully immersed in the sheer hospitality of the Ghanaian people as warm as the weather. On top of that, as the proud host of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Ghana is blessed with rich resources, a stable society and a pivotal location. It stands out as a gateway to the African continent. During the past one and a half months since my arrival, I had intensive exchanges with Ghanaian friends from across the sector, and am deeply touched by the solid foundation and promising prospects of China-Ghana practical cooperation.
First, our political mutual trust continues to deepen.Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Ghana has always adhered to the one-China principle and worked closely with China in bilateral and multilateral areas. During the just-concluded Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Akufo-Addo met with President Xi Jinping and jointly announced the elevation of China-Ghana relations to a strategic partnership. This is the most important political outcome of the visit.
During the meeting in Beijing, President Xi Jinping said that China is ready to carry forward the deep friendship forged by the elder generation of the leaders of the two countries with Ghana and be good friends who trust each other, good partners for common development, and good brothers with close cooperation.President Akufo-Addo also emphasized that Ghana was one of the first batch of African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC, praising China as the most trustworthy friend and partner for over 60 years.
Second, trade and economic ties continues tostrengthen. China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner and main source of investment. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume exceeded 11 billion US dollars, increasing 10.4% year on year. In the first half of 2024, trade volume has reached nearly 6 billion US dollars, an increase of 13.3%. China-aided projects are progressing steadily. In August, the Phase II Project of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) was commissioned. Just last week, I had the honor to attend the handover ceremony of Jamestown Fishing Port Complex Project. The China-aided annex building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is also scheduled to be completed within this year.
Third, China’s local investment keeps growing. In January, the Sentuo Oil Refinery was officially commissioned. It is a private investment of nearly 2 billion US dollars, making it the single largest investment in Ghana over the past decade. The China-invested Sunon-Asogli Power Limited, Africa World Airlines, steel companies, ceramic companies and cement factories have all deeply integrated into the local society to benefit the people and boost industrialization.
Fourth, people-to-people exchanges keep bearing fruits. Last December, the Confucius Institute at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was inaugurated, becoming the third Confucius Institute in Ghana. Tens of thousands of Ghanaian students are learning Chinese. By the end of 2023, there are approximately 4,600 Ghanaian students studying in China, ranking the third among African countries. Throughout the year, more than 9,000 Ghanaian friends have visited China for tourism, business, study or official purposes. China has sent 13 batches of medical teams to Ghana, which hasgainedwide popularity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In July, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in Beijing. The Plenumproposes more than 300 important reform measuresacross the board, sets to unilaterally open our doors wider to the world’s least developed countries, and reiterates strengthening high-qualitycooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, among others, which demonstrates our consensus on deepening reform comprehensively, our commitment on high-standard opening up and our contribution on common progress and prosperity.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, China has all along been deeply integrated with the wider world. Under the guidance of the people-centered development philosophy, we have lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty, nurtured the world’s largest middle-income group totaling over 400 million people, set up the world’s largest education system, social security system and medical care system. For years, China has contributed around 30% to global economic growth. Last year, China’s exports of the “new trio”, namely electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products exceeded 1 trillion yuan (140 billion US dollars), a year-on-year increase of 30%. Half of China’s population are using 5G technology. Recently, Huawei launched the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, the latest milestone in the transition from “made in China” to “created by China”. From artificial intelligence and quantum communication, to low-carbon agriculture and clean energy, China’s development of the new quality productive forces continues to benefit international investors and boost global sustainable development. In the first half of 2024, China has attracted nearly 500 billion yuan (70 billion US dollars) of foreign investment, which still remains at a high level. This is a valuable vote of confidence by the international community in China’s development prospects.
Ladies and gentlemen,
From 4thto 6th September, the 2024 FOCACSummitwas successfully held in Beijing. During the Summit, two important documentswere adopted unanimously, namely the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan (2025-2027). Four major outcomes were achieved, including China’s entering into strategic partnerships with all African countries having diplomatic ties with China, the elevation of the overall China-Africa relations to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, the six-point proposition on the joint efforts to advance modernization and a ten partnership actions for China-Africa cooperation.
China is the largest developing country, while Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. China always observes the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, to develop relations with Africa. Developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries is always an important cornerstone of our foreign policy. Since the birth of FOCAC 24 years ago, China and Africa have witnessed abundant cooperation results. Trade volume has increased from $10.5 billion in 2000 to $282.1 billion in 2023, a nearly 26-fold increase. China’s stock of investment in Africa has grown from less than $500 million in 2000 to over $40 billion today. China has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. We want to make sure that no country is left behind in the process of global modernization.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
There is a saying in Ghana: “It is when someone loves you that he comes to your house.” China’s numerous projects, extensive investment and large community in Ghana all testify to the time-honored friendship between the two peoples as close as one family. As the new Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, I am deeply honored by the appointment and humbled by the important responsibility entrusted to me. Moreover, I’ve been greatly touched and honored, by the immense personal hospitality and high regard of bilateral relations shown by His Excellency President, for his attendance to the FOCAC Summit and presence today to celebrate Chinese National Day with us. I am ready to do my best to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit and consensus reached by our two leaders, to deepen bilateral practical cooperation across the board for the benefit of our two peoples. I am confident that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Ghana relations will grow even stronger and closer.
Finally, may I invite Your Excellency President and all of ourdistinguished guests to join me for a toast,
to the good health and every success of H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and H.E. President Xi Jinping,
to the fraternityand prosperity of China and Ghana,
to the good health of all myfriends here,
Cheers!