China and Africa Strengthen Legal Ties to Boost Fair Development and Investment Protection
A new chapter in China-Africa cooperation is taking shape, this time in the courtroom, not the marketplace.
Earlier this month, senior prosecutors and judicial representatives from China and 12 African countries met in Guangzhou, southern China, for the China-Africa Prosecutorial Cooperation Forum. The meeting focused on building stronger legal systems to support fair trade, investment protection, and joint crime-fighting efforts.
The forum brought together delegates from nations including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Egypt, along with Chinese officials from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate. The discussions revolved around practical cooperation, from handling transnational financial crimes and cyber fraud to improving the legal frameworks that underpin development projects across Africa.
Rule of Law for Shared Prosperity
Chinese Deputy Procurator-General Zhang Xueqiao told the gathering that the rule of law is a “key pillar for development and mutual trust.” He said China is ready to work with African partners to strengthen judicial training, exchange expertise, and jointly pursue justice in cases involving cross-border crime and corruption.
African prosecutors praised the initiative, saying it represents a new form of South-South cooperation, one focused not on aid or trade, but on legal empowerment. South Africa’s delegation noted that strengthening prosecutorial cooperation helps ensure that large infrastructure and investment projects operate under transparent, fair, and accountable systems.
The forum also highlighted shared concerns such as environmental crimes, wildlife trafficking, and illicit financial flows, which affect both African and Asian regions. Delegates agreed to explore mechanisms for information sharing and joint investigations, as well as capacity-building programmes for young African legal professionals.
A Growing Partnership Beyond Economics
This event follows a broader trend in China-Africa relations, expanding from roads and railways into governance, education, and justice. It complements the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) agenda, which includes commitments to capacity building, rule of law, and people-to-people exchange.
As China’s investment footprint in Africa deepens, strong legal systems help safeguard both investors and local communities. For African nations, it means greater protection of public resources, fewer loopholes for corruption, and stronger institutions. For China, it ensures stability and trust in its overseas partnerships.
Ultimately, this collaboration isn’t just about courts and cases, it’s about creating a fair environment where cooperation can thrive. In a world where trade, technology, and people move across borders faster than ever, China-Africa legal cooperation ensures that justice moves just as swiftly.