Wang Yi Speaks with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana on the Phone

On April 19, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said, China attaches great importance to the traditional friendship between China and Ghana. Bilateral relations have been continuously consolidated and developed under the personal care and promotion of the two heads of state. Especially after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Ghana have supported each other and overcome the difficulties together, further elevating the friendship between the two countries. China highly appreciates Ghana's adherence to the one-China principle and believes that both sides will continue to deepen political mutual trust and jointly safeguard the overall friendly cooperation between China and Ghana. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) embodies a banner of win-win cooperation between China and Africa. The two sides should align the needs of China-Ghana cooperation with the "nine programs" to push for fruitful outcomes of the FOCAC. China will always be a trustworthy partner in the development and revitalization of Ghana and Africa.

Wang Yi said, China congratulates Ghana on taking a non-permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council from 2022 to 2023, and is glad to see Ghana play a more active role in international and regional affairs. China has launched the Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative under the framework of the UN to support the economic recovery of developing countries in the post-pandemic era. Ghana is welcome to join the group to foster greater synergy to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China's vote in the UN is always for the well-being of developing countries and African brothers. The two sides should strengthen collaboration, safeguard international fairness and justice together, jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics and defend the overall interests of the two countries and developing countries.

Botchwey said, Ghana cherishes the friendship between the two countries and firmly adheres to the one-China principle. Ghana admires China's development achievements and President Xi Jinping's outstanding leadership. China's development has provided highly beneficial inspiration for African countries. Especially after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries have realized more clearly that the world is unfair, the development is unbalanced, and China is Africa's true and reliable friend. Ghana thanks China for its strong support for Ghana's economic and social development, and expects that the two sides will continue bilateral pragmatic cooperation under the FOCAC framework. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the rotating chair of the Economic Community of West African States, Ghana is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues to better implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and build a fairer and more just world.