Abdelrahman
China’s foreign minister expressed support for South Africa’s initiatives aimed at fostering unity, equality, and sustainability during this year’s Group of 20 (G20) gatherings. This statement came despite U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to boycott the initial high-level meeting in Johannesburg, citing concerns over the summit’s focus.
The G20, which convenes annually and includes the world’s leading economies, is being hosted by South Africa for the first time as the inaugural African nation to take on this role. President Cyril Ramaphosa has advocated for policies that promote equitable treatment for African countries and other developing nations from around the globe.
The overarching theme for this year’s G20 discussions revolves around “solidarity, equality, and sustainability.” Recently, Rubio expressed his criticism of South Africa, labeling its actions as “doing very bad things” while accusing the nation of leveraging its leadership position to promote discussions on diversity and climate initiatives.
In an interview on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, voiced his backing for South Africa’s aspirations. He emphasized the original intent of the G20 was to harmonize the macroeconomic policies of member countries, and he highlighted the importance of addressing the requirements of developing nations in the current global landscape.
Rubio’s absence loomed over the discussions, where many diplomats reflected on the complexities emerging only weeks into a potential second Trump administration. South African representatives found themselves navigating delicate conversations regarding the U.S., particularly in light of a recent freeze on American funding to South Africa and the signing of an executive order that challenges local legislation.
This executive order alleges that the South African government is discriminatory against its white Afrikaner minority and extends an offer of refugee status to those individuals wishing to relocate to the U.S. Despite these challenges, President Ramaphosa expressed optimism about collaborating with the United States, which remains his country’s second-largest trading partner.
At the commencement of the foreign ministers’ meeting, Ramaphosa remarked on the significance of U.S. representation despite Rubio’s absence, stating, “The absence of the secretary of state is not a train smash because the United States is still represented here. While we may not see eye to eye on all matters, we consistently find pathways to engage with one another.”
