China and African Union Launch Global South Governance Plan

The African Union and China's Xinhua News Agency co-hosted the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference from November 13 to 15, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two-day event gathered over 200 representatives from 160 media outlets, think tanks, and government organizations across China and 41 African nations to discuss reforming global governance and amplifying the collective voice of the Global South in climate, finance, and digital governance.

Participants launched the "United in Heart, Path and Action — 2026 China-Africa Partnership Empowerment Action Plan" communication network and released a think tank report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership." The conference emphasized transitioning Africa from a resource exporter to a development partner, supported by new tools such as the Nyansapo Africa Knowledge Q&A System, an AI-driven investment tool developed by Hunan University's Institute of African Studies. Hunan Agricultural University also released five reports focused on poverty reduction and food sector cooperation.

Conference leaders called for a more equitable global governance model that reduces Western dominance. Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, characterized the Global South as a necessary stabilizing force for peace and governance. Leslie Richer, African Union director of information and communication, stated that Africa is striving to move from being a participant to a co-author in the story of humanity's future.