The first China-Africa Human Rights Seminar was held on August 22 in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. More than 200 participants, including officials, experts, scholars, and representatives from social organizations, businesses, think tanks, and media in the field of human rights from China and over 40 African countries, engaged in discussions under the theme “Building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future and Jointly Realizing the Right to Development.”
In his opening speech, it was emphasized that the historic achievements in China’s human rights cause demonstrate that ensuring and improving people’s livelihoods through development, and promoting and protecting human rights, form the foundation for advancing modernization and a broad path toward human happiness. The peoples of China and Africa equally cherish peace and development, standing together through challenges to realize human dignity and value, and pursuing development with sincerity and goodwill. It was suggested that as China-Africa relations enter a new phase of building an all-weather community with a shared future, both sides should work hand in hand to safeguard human rights through sustained development, common security, cultural exchanges, and practical actions.
It was noted that the China-Africa human rights exchange and dialogue has opened a new chapter in Addis Ababa, deeply rooted in African soil from the very beginning and closely attuned to the pulse of human rights progress in Africa. As the world’s largest developing country, and Africa being the continent with the highest concentration of developing nations, both sides share similar philosophies and aspirations, possess a deep mutual understanding, and have great potential to deepen human rights cooperation.
It was pointed out that this seminar contributes to advancing the construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future and promoting the realization of the right to development. This is not only a policy dialogue but also a landmark platform aimed at shaping the future of human rights governance and strengthening cooperation between China and Africa.
It was expressed that there is a commitment to South-South cooperation, promoting Africa’s strategic voice in shaping its own future, and striving to advance a China-Africa community with a shared future characterized not only by trade and investment but also by inclusiveness, empowerment, and peace.
The seminar was jointly organized by relevant institutions. It was established as an institutional dialogue platform to implement the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027) and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and African countries in the field of human rights. Participants jointly released the Addis Ababa Consensus on the Right to Development between China and Africa during the seminar.
China-Africa Human Rights Seminar
The China-Africa Human Rights Seminar is a recurring forum for dialogue and exchange between Chinese and African scholars and officials on human rights issues. It was established to promote a shared perspective on development as a fundamental human right and to foster cooperation. These seminars are part of China’s broader diplomatic engagement with African nations, emphasizing principles of mutual respect and non-interference.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1886. It serves as the political and cultural hub of Africa, hosting the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The city’s history is deeply tied to the Ethiopian Empire and its resistance to colonization.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is an ancient nation in the Horn of Africa, historically known as Abyssinia, and is one of the oldest countries in the world. It is unique for being one of the few African countries to avoid long-term European colonization, famously defeating Italy in 1896. Its rich cultural heritage includes rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, the ancient city of Axum, and being the legendary home of the Ark of the Covenant.
China-Africa Community with a Shared Future
The China-Africa Community with a Shared Future is a political and diplomatic concept, rather than a physical place, that was formally proposed by China to guide its relationship with African nations. It emphasizes mutual cooperation, economic development, and common prosperity, building on a long history of diplomatic ties since the mid-20th century. This framework aims to deepen collaboration through initiatives like the Belt and Road, focusing on infrastructure, trade, and cultural exchange.
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is an official multilateral platform established in 2000 to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations between China and African nations. It serves as a framework for collective dialogue and cooperation, with summits held every three years to announce new initiatives, aid packages, and investment pledges aimed at fostering mutual development.
Beijing Action Plan
The Beijing Action Plan is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic policy document. It was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 to advance global gender equality and the empowerment of women. The plan outlines a set of concrete actions for governments and other stakeholders to implement.
Addis Ababa Consensus on the Right to Development
The Addis Ababa Consensus on the Right to Development is not a physical place but a significant political declaration. It was adopted in 2022 by a group of like-minded states to reaffirm their commitment to the right to development as a universal and inalienable human right. This consensus serves as a counter-narrative to other international frameworks and emphasizes state sovereignty in determining development models.
