Implementing the Four-Point Proposition on Mining Cooperation to Write a New Chapter in China-Africa Common Development

By Yu Dunhai

On October 13, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposition on advancing China-Africa mining cooperation during his meeting with Botswana’s President, Duma Gideon Boko, who was on a state visit to China. Grounded in the profound transformation of the global critical minerals landscape, Africa’s urgent need for independent development, and the longstanding friendship between China and Africa, the proposition charts a course for China-Africa mining cooperation in the new era.

As the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, I am keenly aware of the strategic vision, forward-looking perspective and practical relevance of these four points. They embody the concept of a China-Africa community with a shared future and provide strong support for Nigeria and other African countries seeking to transform their natural resource endowments into development dividends. Drawing on the realities of China-Nigeria mining cooperation, I would like to share with Nigerian friends a deeper understanding of the substance of this four-point proposition.

First, we must adhere to the principle that African resources belong to Africa. This is the fundamental premise of mining cooperation with African nations. Africa has long been confined to the lower end of global industrial and value chains by an inequitable international division of labour—a historical injustice that must be corrected. Resource sovereignty is an integral component of national sovereignty, and the ability to control one’s own resource destiny is a cornerstone of sustainable development for African countries.

China fully understands and respects Africa’s legitimate aspirations. We have always respected the development paths independently chosen by African countries and stand ready to share our experience to help them formulate mining development plans suited to their national conditions. China supports Nigeria and other African countries in independently determining their mining development paths, ensuring that decision-making power and the benefits of resource development remain firmly in their own hands.

Second, we must uphold the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests while seeking mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. This is the core philosophy of China-Africa mining cooperation. In pursuing mining cooperation, China and Africa must maintain a proper balance between principles and interests. China never seeks to maximise its benefits unilaterally in its cooperation with Africa; rather, it consistently promotes win-win cooperation and common development.

In Nigeria, Chinese enterprises operating in the energy and mining sectors bring not only capital and technology but also a commitment to local operations, skills training and community development. The Chinese Embassy will continue to guide Chinese enterprises in Nigeria to strengthen their operational capabilities, transfer green technologies, expand public welfare initiatives, create local employment opportunities, train local talent and promote South-South cooperation in the mining sector.

Third, we must pursue high-quality development. This is the direction in which China-Africa mining cooperation should progress. Promoting local processing, extending industrial value chains and increasing value addition are key pathways for Africa to transform its resource advantages into development gains. China has consistently taken practical steps to support Africa’s development and will continue to promote the transformation of China-Africa mining cooperation towards greater industrial value addition.

We will deepen alignment between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, advance projects towards deeper processing and higher-value-added activities, and help Nigeria build a more complete industrial system. In this way, natural resources can become drivers of modernisation rather than sources of the so-called “resource curse”.

Fourth, we must maintain a fair and open environment for cooperation. This is an important safeguard for mining cooperation with Africa. Africa’s resources should never become instruments of geopolitical rivalry. Any attempt to politicise or instrumentalise African resource issues, or to create confrontation and division, will seriously undermine the fundamental interests of the African people.

China consistently advocates open cooperation and fair competition. We welcome all parties genuinely committed to supporting Africa’s development and stand ready to work with African partners to maintain a stable and predictable market environment for mining cooperation. This will create more favourable conditions for enterprise investment and operations. China is ready to work hand in hand with Nigeria to reject any attempt to use mineral resources as bargaining chips in geopolitical games, ensuring that resource development serves the cause of development and benefits the people.

I would particularly like to emphasise that the Chinese government requires all Chinese enterprises and citizens in Nigeria to strictly comply with Nigerian laws and regulations and conduct their activities lawfully. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining and other criminal activities. China supports Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen mining governance and take firm action against illegal activities.

The facts show that the overwhelming majority of Chinese mining enterprises in Nigeria operate in accordance with the law, actively fulfil their social responsibilities and protect the environment. Isolated and inaccurate allegations that exaggerate individual cases or distort the facts are neither fair nor conducive to strengthening the overall friendship and cooperation between China and Nigeria. We stand ready to work with the Nigerian side to further regulate the market, jointly combat illegal mining and foster a healthy, transparent business environment.

China and Africa share a common future and a bright outlook. Platforms and mechanisms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation continue to provide solid support for their partnership, while the benefits of China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic relations with China continue to unfold, creating favourable conditions for deeper China-Africa cooperation.

I am convinced that, as long as both sides uphold mutual respect and mutual benefit, we can translate Africa’s resource endowments into tangible development outcomes, deliver greater benefits to the Chinese and African peoples, and make greater contributions to building a China-Africa community with a shared future.

China stands ready to work hand in hand with Nigeria and other African countries to fully implement President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposition on China-Africa mining cooperation, open a new chapter in high-quality China-Africa mining cooperation, ensure that Africa’s resources genuinely serve the development needs of the African people, and make China-Africa mining cooperation a model of South-South cooperation and an important force in advancing Africa’s modernisation.

H.E. Yu Dunhai is the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria.