Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday the elevation of overall China-Africa relations to an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era”. This announcement was made during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.
President Xi unveiled a three-year plan to implement 10 partnership actions with Africa, aimed at advancing the modernization of both China and Africa. Among these actions, he pledged to grant zero-tariff treatment to 33 African countries, carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects, implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, and create at least one million jobs for Africa.
Experts Highlight Mutual Benefits
Experts note that African countries are increasingly looking to China for modernization and economic development. The elevation of China-Africa ties is seen as a powerful example of cooperation among Global South countries and beyond.
“China is helping African countries develop their economies, enhance infrastructures, and improve people’s livelihoods,” said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China. “During the process, China does not interfere in their internal affairs, respects their choice of development paths suited to their national conditions, and encourages their political independence.”
Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed in 2013, Chinese firms have contributed significantly to infrastructure development in Africa. They have constructed or upgraded over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, approximately 1,000 bridges, almost 100 ports, and 66,000 kilometers of power transmission and distribution lines.
Wang analyzed that improving China-Africa ties not only brings tangible benefits to African people but also presents significant opportunities for China’s economy. “Africa supplies China with essential raw materials and food, vital for securing and stabilizing supply chains, while offering a promising market for China’s innovative technologies,” he noted. “Enhanced cooperation can spark new ideas through cross-cultural collaboration, advance Africa’s technological progress, and create substantial employment opportunities.”
A Joint Path to Modernization
President Xi called for a joint pursuit of a modernization path for China and Africa that is just and equitable, open and win-win, people-centered, diverse and inclusive, eco-friendly, and underpinned by peace and security.
Tang Zhichao, director of the Political Research Division at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that these six aspects serve as fundamental principles for the modernization of China and African countries. “They reflect shared values in the pursuit of modernization,” he said. “Modernization is not confined to a single Western model and should not follow a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality.”
“While modernization possesses universal traits, it must be tailored to fit each country’s specific conditions and cultural context,” Tang added.
The Ten Partnership Actions
In the ten partnership actions proposed by President Xi, China pledged wider market access, new financing assistance, and more infrastructure, green energy, and “small but beautiful” livelihood-improving projects. China also promised to enhance military and security cooperation with African countries, including providing grants for military assistance and offering training for military personnel, police, and law enforcement officers.
Tang noted that China-Africa cooperation has evolved from focusing primarily on large-scale infrastructure projects to now emphasizing a balance between these large projects and “small but beautiful” projects. “This shift reflects an adaptation to changing times and evolving needs,” he said. “By advancing both types of projects in tandem, the cooperation will better promote Africa’s balanced and sustainable development.”
Wang emphasized that China’s security cooperation with Africa differs from the Western approach. “China’s actions do not entail deploying troops or meddling in domestic issues,” he explained. “Instead, China offers military training and helps bolster security capabilities in response to requests from African Union member states.”
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Experts: Elevation of China-Africa ties a prime example of cooperation
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