The Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) and African representatives have inked an agreement that aims to connect diamond-producing countries with the Chinese jewelry industry.
The signing of the Beijing Declaration took place in the Chinese capital in the presence of government emissaries from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, as well as senior representatives from the host nation’s jewelry trade and the international natural-diamond sector, De Beers group said Wednesday. The participants discussed global natural-diamond industry trends, China’s consumer and retail market, the sector’s socioeconomic impact in African producing countries, and future cooperation.
Building on China-Africa cooperation, the Beijing Declaration outlines a shared vision for the sustainable development of the natural-diamond industry, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a blueprint and master plan to position the continent as a major global economic force.
China’s consumer market remains an important part of the global natural-diamond industry and continues to develop, De Beers observed. The SDE connects the global natural-diamond supply chain with Chinese consumers and provides customs, tax and certification services. Chinese consumers are increasingly focused on natural diamonds’ authenticity, provenance, cultural significance and long-term value.
Global industry members – including De Beers CEO Al Cook, Natural Diamond Council (NDC) CEO Amber Pepper and Emma Wade-Smith on behalf of the World Diamond Council (WDC) – witnessed the signing.
“We want every diamond discovered to bring real, positive impact for the people and the land where we find these precious stones,” said Cook. “We welcome the Beijing Declaration as a new framework to help us better link African diamond-producing countries with Chinese consumers.”
Image: African and Chinese industry members at the signing of the Beijing Declaration. (De Beers)
