Xi champions China-Africa ties at Beijing Summit

1 week ago 10

5th September 2024 – (Beijing) Chinese President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed African leaders at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), celebrating the enduring partnership between China and Africa. The summit, which opened on 4th September, 2024, in Beijing, underscores a mutual commitment to modernisation and a shared future.

Hosted by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, the event commenced with a lavish banquet, setting the stage for three days of dialogue aimed at deepening ties through collaborative projects and strategic partnerships. Xi applauded the robust friendship that has flourished over generations, emphasizing that the relationship is strengthened by shared aspirations and mutual respect, irrespective of global changes.

This year’s FOCAC Summit, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” is notable for its record attendance by foreign dignitaries, reflecting its growing significance. Xi highlighted the tangible benefits of the China-Africa partnership, including infrastructure developments like roads, railways, and educational facilities, which have significantly impacted the lives of many.

In his address, Xi also remarked on the alignment of China and Africa on major international issues, suggesting that this solidarity amplifies the voice of the Global South in global affairs. He expressed confidence in the collective potential of China and Africa’s nearly 3 billion people to drive modernization across the developing world, contributing to a global community of shared futures.

The day also saw strategic advancements, such as the elevation of China-Cameroon relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and the establishment of a strategic partnership with Libya. Additionally, agreements like the memorandum of understanding on the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway were signed, further cementing economic ties.

Experts at the summit noted that Chinese modernisation offers a unique model that could inspire Africa’s own path to modernisation, diverging from Western paradigms that often delineate between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ nations. This approach, based on partnership and collective advancement, proposes a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation, one that is more attuned to the specific needs and conditions of African nations.