In a landmark speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a comprehensive plan to elevate China-Africa relations and jointly pursue modernization.
“The friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans, and passes down through generations,” President Xi remarked, highlighting the enduring bond between China and African nations.
He proposed elevating bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China to the level of strategic relations and characterized China-Africa relations as an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
Joint Pursuit of Modernization
Emphasizing the right of all countries to modernization, President Xi stated, “Modernization is an inalienable right of all countries. But the Western approach to it has inflicted immense suffering on developing countries.”
He outlined six key areas where China and Africa can jointly advance modernization:
- Modernization that is just and equitable: Supporting nations in exploring paths that suit their national conditions.
- Modernization that is open and win-win: Deepening cooperation in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and trade.
- Modernization that puts the people first: Promoting personnel training, poverty reduction, and employment.
- Modernization featuring diversity and inclusiveness: Enhancing cultural exchanges and mutual respect.
- Modernization that is eco-friendly: Building “green growth engines” and promoting low-carbon development.
- Modernization underpinned by peace and security: Improving capacity in safeguarding peace and stability.
Ten Partnership Actions
President Xi announced ten partnership actions to deepen China-Africa cooperation over the next three years:
- Mutual Learning among Civilizations: Building platforms for governance experience sharing and cultural exchange.
- Trade Prosperity: Granting zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines to least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China.
- Industrial Chain Cooperation: Fostering industry cooperation growth clusters and embracing technological revolution.
- Connectivity: Implementing infrastructure projects to enhance land-sea links and coordinated development.
- Development Cooperation: Launching livelihood projects and supporting Africa in hosting major events.
- Health: Establishing a hospital alliance and sending medical personnel to Africa.
- Agriculture and Livelihoods: Providing emergency food assistance and promoting agricultural innovation.
- People-to-People Exchanges: Enhancing vocational education cooperation and cultural exchanges.
- Green Development: Launching clean energy projects and collaborating on environmental initiatives.
- Common Security: Building partnerships to implement the Global Security Initiative and supporting peacekeeping efforts.
To support these initiatives, China will provide 360 billion yuan (approximately $49 billion) of financial support over the next three years, including credit lines, assistance, and investment by Chinese companies.
A Shared Path Forward
President Xi underscored the significance of China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernization, stating, “On the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind.”
He called for rallying the more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people into a powerful force to promote modernization of the Global South and write a new chapter in human history.
Concluding his speech, President Xi expressed optimism for the future, inviting all to “join hands to bring about a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for our world.”
(Cover image: The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opens in Beijing, the capital of China, September 5, 2024. /CMG)
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Full text: Xi's speech at opening ceremony of 2024 FOCAC summit
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