By TONG Defa, Ambassador of China to Ghana
Last month, the Third Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Third Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also known as the “Two Sessions” were successfully concluded in Beijing.
The “Two Sessions” are convened annually in Beijing, bringing together nearly 5000 NPC deputies and CPPCC members representing all ethnic groups, regions and political parties across the country.
President Xi Jinping engaged in discussions with deputies on state affairs, jointly charted the course for development, and formulated blueprints for China’s development in the New Era. I would like to share with Ghanaian friends the highlights of this year’s “Two Sessions” through a few key terms.
First, the Chinese modernization. Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature and of peaceful development.
Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 rose to CNY 134.9 trillion (approximately USD 18.4 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. China’s economy has shown resilience, the Chinese market holds vast potential, and Chinese enterprises are brimming with vitality.
China also possesses the courage to confront risks and challenges head-on and the confidence to resolve issues effectively. According to the Report on the Work of the Government 2025, we set the target of GDP growth of around 5% this year with confidence.
Second, the sci-tech innovation. China’s innovation capacity has achieved new breakthroughs in recent years, with notable advances in integrated circuits, artificial intelligence and quantum technology. Groundbreaking developments have emerged across multiple frontiers, particularly in humanoid robotics and DeepSeek.
The value added of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing rose by 8.9% and 7.7% respectively, and the output of new-energy vehicles passed the 13 million mark. “Promote integrated advancement in technological and industrial innovation” has been written to the Chinese overall requirement for economic and social development.
This strategic deployment not only demonstrates China’s precise grasp of the new development paradigm but also highlights its firm resolve to steer industrial and economic transformation and upgrading through innovation-driven approaches. The nation’s shift to “smart manufacturing” will drive sci-tech innovations to deliver more benefits to Global South countries.
Third, the higher-standard opening up. Regardless of changes in the external environment, China will steadfast in our commitment to opening up. China will steadily expand institutional opening up, take the initiative to open wider and advance unilateral opening up in a well-ordered way, so as to promote reform and development through greater openness.
China achieves the steady expansion of economy and ranks among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, continuing to contribute about 30% to global economic growth. In the face of counter-globalization undercurrents that defy economic laws, China has steadfastly sent positive signals to the world, delivering a reassuring message to partners.
In 2024, China’s total import and export volume reached CNY 43.85 trillion (approximately USD 6 trillion), marking a year-on-year increase of 5%. The increase of USD 290 billion in foreign trade equates to the annual trade volume of a medium-sized economy.
As Ghana’s largest trading partner for many years, China saw bilateral trade hit a historic high of USD 11.84 billion in 2024, demonstrating tremendous potential for future growth and cooperation.
Fourth, the peaceful development. China remains committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, stays on the path of peaceful development, and firmly pursues a mutually beneficial opening-up strategy. We oppose hegemonism and power politics, reject all forms of unilateralism and protectionism and uphold international fairness and justice.
As stated by Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister at the “Two Sessions” press conference: “China is a natural member of the Global South.
No matter how the international landscape evolves, we will always keep the interests of the Global South close at heart, remain rooted in the Global South, and join fellow developing countries in writing a new chapter in humanity’s development.”
As the Ghanaian proverb goes, “Praye, se woyi baako a na ebu: wokabomu a emmu.” This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ghana, as well as the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The enduring friendship between our two nations has yielded fruitful cooperation across various fields. The successful convening of China’s “Two Sessions” sends positive signals to African countries including Ghana.
Africa is the land of hope in the 21st century, for there can be no modernization of the world without Africa’s modernization. China stands ready to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with Ghana in economic development and social governance, working jointly to further develop the China-Ghana strategic partnership.
