Johannesburg, South Africa — The G20 Leaders’ Summit has landed on African soil for the first time, running from November 22 to 23, 2025. This landmark moment puts emerging markets and developing nations center stage 🌍✨.
Unity Over Division 🤝
At the opening session, Chinese premier Li Qiang echoed President Xi Jinping’s 17th G20 summit mantra: ‘Solidarity is strength, but division leads nowhere.’ In a world facing trade snags and widening growth gaps, Li argued that only by sticking together can G20 members shape a fairer, more open economy.
Amplifying the Global South’s Voice 📢
China has championed moves to bring developing nations to the big leagues. At Bali’s 2022 summit, it backed the African Union’s spot at the table – a shift that makes Africa a permanent G20 member, not just a side act. Beyond the G20, China has:
- Expanded BRICS to include more voices in what Beijing calls ‘a new journey of greater BRICS cooperation.’
- Promoted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a regional hub spanning Eurasia.
- Co-founded the International Organization for Mediation to diversify dispute-resolution options.
- Launched partnership actions: 10 with Africa, 5 in Latin America, 5 with Arab countries, and 6 with Pacific Island nations.
Building an Open World Economy 🚀
Facing spikes in unilateral moves and protectionism, President Xi says true multilateralism is the way out. China’s opening-up policy includes:
- 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries or regions as of January 2025 – think cheaper imports and easier exports for your e-commerce biz.
- An upgraded free trade deal with ASEAN and active implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
- Applications to join CPTPP and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, aiming for higher-standard, interconnected markets.
- Infrastructure boosts via the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the New Development Bank – projects that can spur growth in tech hubs, ports, and transport links.
For young pros in South and Southeast Asia, these shifts could mean more digital opportunities, faster cross-border e-shopping, and fresh partnerships for startups. The G20’s African debut highlights a move toward economic solidarity that could reshape global trends – from smartphone specs to streaming services – with a fairer game for all.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
