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The Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), in collaboration with Government representatives from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, alongside members of the Chinese and international diamond industry, convened in Beijing on Sept. 15th to sign the Beijing Declaration on Natural Diamonds and Sustainable Development (hereinafter referred to as the “Beijing Declaration”). The Beijing Declaration recognises the global nature of the diamond industry and acknowledges the connection from the positive socioeconomic impact felt in diamond-producing countries to China’s consumers of diamond jewellery, who are increasingly looking for authenticity and individuality in their jewellery choices. Hosted by the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, the event and signing ceremony in Beijing brought together government representatives of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, with senior figures from China’s jewellery industry and the global natural diamond industry. In the spirit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, participants held in-depth exchanges on the current state of the global natural diamond industry, including consumer and retail trends in China, the socioeconomic impact of the natural diamond industry across diamond-producing countries in Africa and future industry cooperation priorities. Natural diamonds are born of the earth, and behind their value they deliver tangible socioeconomic returns for African diamond-producing nations: driving economic growth, providing jobs, livelihoods and skills development, and supporting conservation and biodiversity. The Beijing Declaration acknowledges natural diamonds’ unique geological origin, rarity and enduring value, as well as their deep-rooted cultural meaning within Chinese traditions as symbols of purity, beauty and eternal commitment. Through the Beijing Declaration, the industry acknowledges that these positive impacts deserve to be better understood by more Chinese consumers. Rooted in the long-term friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa, the Beijing Declaration sets forth a shared vision for advancing sustainable development of the natural diamond industry, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The Beijing Declaration builds a shared vision for deepening exchange and cooperation across the natural diamond value chain. It proposes support for African diamond-producing countries in enhancing local value creation capacity, strengthening skills training and promoting economic diversification; further enhancing transparent and objective consumer communication on the origin of natural diamonds and their socioeconomic impact; deepening market links between African diamond-producing countries and Chinese consumers; and, relying on existing bilateral and multilateral China-Africa cooperation mechanisms, further expanding exchange and cooperation to jointly promote more inclusive and sustainable economic development. As an important element of the global natural diamond industry, China’s consumer market is steadily maturing. As a State Council-approved national diamond trading platform, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange plays an important role in connecting the global natural diamond supply chain with Chinese consumers, providing integrated customs, tax and certification services, and serving as a permanent member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). Chinese consumers are extending their attention to natural diamonds to authenticity, traceable provenance, cultural meaning and enduring value. The key advocates of the Beijing Declaration were: Mr. Lin Qiang, President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange H.E. Prof. Lekoko S. Kenosi, Ambassador of Botswana to the People’s Republic of China Ms. Nosiphiwo Mzamo, Chief Executive Officer, South African State Diamond Trader H.E. Ms. Tonata Itenge-Emvula, Ambassador of Namibia to the People’s Republic of China The signing was witnessed by global industry representatives including Mr. Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, Ms. Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council and Ms. Emma Wade-Smith on behalf of the World Diamond Council. Major Chinese jewellery retail brands were also represented at the signing ceremony, including Chow Tai Fook, Lao Feng Xiang, Chow Sang Sang, Lukfook Jewellery, CHJ Jewelry, Chow Tai Seng, Sino Gem and Kimberlite. Mr. Lin Qiang, President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, said: “We are delighted to welcome delegations from leading African diamond-producing countries to Beijing. Natural diamonds deliver profound socioeconomic benefits to these nations. As China continues its evolution as a major player in the global diamond industry, we are thrilled to lay important foundations for enhanced collaboration between China and African diamond-producing nations. Today represents a meaningful new beginning: for closer connections, deeper mutual understanding and expanded partnerships. The Shanghai Diamond Exchange will keep fulfilling its role as a platform and bridge. We look forward to future interactions that unlock opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, and to bringing the authentic stories and genuine value of natural diamonds to growing numbers of Chinese consumers.” Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: “‘Building Forever’ lies at the heart of De Beers’ approach in Africa. We want every diamond discovered to bring real, positive impact for the people and the land where we find these precious stones. We welcome the Beijing Declaration as a new framework to help us better link African diamond-producing countries with Chinese consumers. We are committed to working across the global diamond industry so that natural diamonds can continue to support jobs and livelihoods and protect the natural environment.” H.E. Prof. Lekoko S. Kenosi, Ambassador of Botswana to the People’s Republic of China, said: “For Botswana, diamonds represent far more than luxury gemstones; they are an important resource for national development. Discovered shortly after our independence, diamond resources have financed broad access to quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities for generations of Batswana people. We have built local industrial capabilities across sorting, cutting and polishing, and our ambition stretches further: to embed greater technology, expertise and economic value within our borders, diversifying our national economy while safeguarding our precious natural heritage through conservation initiatives such as the Okavango Eternal partnership. A diamond may leave Botswana’s soil, yet the human capital, enterprise development capacity and environmental stewardship its revenue creates remain at home. When Chinese consumers select a diamond to mark marriage, family milestones or personal celebration, their choice connects directly to livelihoods, youth opportunity and national development ambitions within producing nations. We do not ask consumers to bear responsibility for our development, but we urge that this full human story of origin be made visible through informed consumer understanding. The signing of the Beijing Declaration opens a promising new chapter for our bilateral ties, enabling diamonds to serve as a bridge of shared progress between our peoples.” H.E. Ms. Dipuo Bertha Letsatsi-Duba, Ambassador of South Africa to the People’s Republic of China, said: “I am very honoured to witness this historic moment of the Beijing Declaration. The Declaration establishes a positive and constructive cooperation framework for signatory countries, provides an open basis for dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding, and enables African producers and relevant parties in China’s natural diamond industry to further recognize the value of natural diamonds in economic growth, employment and sustainable development. Consumer confidence is crucial, especially for natural diamond products with emotional value. We are deeply proud that natural diamonds can lay the foundation for this cooperation and hope the Beijing Declaration will become one of the best multilateral interactions between China and African diamond production partners.” Signatory governments to the Beijing Declaration, together with industry representatives from natural diamond trading, manufacturing and retail, will continue follow-up exchange and cooperation to further translate the vision set out in the Declaration into concrete actions. Future cooperation directions include promoting industry market data cooperation, carrying out consumer-facing education programmes on the origin and industry impact of natural diamonds, conducting cross-border exchange on global best practices, and exploring more cooperation opportunities through existing China-Africa sustainable development cooperation mechanisms.

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