Beijing, September 5, 2024 — In a momentous speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a bold vision for a shared future between China and Africa. 🌍🤝🇨🇳
Addressing leaders and delegates from across Africa, President Xi highlighted the deep-rooted friendship and growing partnership between the two regions. \"The friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans, and passes down through generations,\" he remarked.
Elevating China-Africa Relations
President Xi proposed elevating bilateral relations with African countries to strategic partnerships, aiming to build an \"all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.\" This move signifies a commitment to deepening ties and collaborating on global challenges.
A Joint Pursuit of Modernization
Emphasizing the right of all nations to modernization, he outlined a vision where China and Africa jointly advance modernization that is:
- Just and Equitable: Supporting each country's unique path to development.
- Open and Win-Win: Strengthening cooperation in trade, industry, and infrastructure.
- People-Centered: Focusing on improving the well-being of citizens.
- Diverse and Inclusive: Promoting cultural exchanges and mutual respect.
- Eco-Friendly: Prioritizing green development and sustainability.
- Peaceful and Secure: Enhancing capacities to maintain stability and peace.
The Ten Partnership Actions
To turn this vision into reality, President Xi announced ten partnership actions over the next three years, including:
- Mutual Learning among Civilizations: Sharing governance experiences and cultivating leaders.
- Trade Prosperity: Opening Chinese markets to African products, granting zero-tariff treatment to 33 African countries, and enhancing e-commerce collaboration.
- Industrial Chain Cooperation: Promoting industrial growth clusters and digital technology cooperation.
- Connectivity: Implementing 30 infrastructure projects to enhance transport and logistics.
- Development Cooperation: Delivering 1,000 livelihood projects and supporting initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area.
- Health: Establishing hospital alliances, sending medical personnel, and supporting the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Agriculture and Livelihoods: Providing emergency food assistance, building agricultural demonstration areas, and creating jobs.
- People-to-People Exchanges: Enhancing vocational education, cultural exchanges, and designating 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
- Green Development: Launching clean energy projects and collaborating on environmental initiatives.
- Common Security: Building partnerships for peace and security, providing military assistance, and ensuring safety.
Massive Financial Support
To support these initiatives, China will provide RMB 360 billion yuan (approximately $50 billion USD) over the next three years. This includes credit lines, assistance, and investments by Chinese companies. 💰🌱
A Call to Action
President Xi concluded his speech with a powerful message: \"On the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind.\" He urged China and Africa to rally together, promoting modernization not just for themselves but for the entire Global South. ✊🌐
With this ambitious agenda, China and Africa are poised to write a new chapter in international cooperation, setting an example of solidarity and shared progress for the world.
Stay tuned for more updates on China-Africa relations and how this partnership will shape the future! 🌠
Reference(s):
Full text: Xi's speech at opening ceremony of 2024 FOCAC summit
cgtn.com
