China and Africa Deepen Cooperation at FOCAC Ministerial Conference

Ministerial officials from China and 53 African countries met in Beijing, approving drafts for the upcoming 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. Over 300 participants, including foreign and economy ministers from African nations and representatives of international organizations, attended the 9th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC.

The conference served as a crucial preparatory step for the three-day summit commencing Wednesday. Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized President Xi Jinping's role in collaborating with African leaders to "draw a new blueprint for the development of China-Africa relations and lead the way forward for the Global South."

African attendees acknowledged the mutual respect, equality, and win-win outcomes characterizing China-Africa relations since FOCAC's establishment in 2000. They expressed gratitude for China's unwavering support and advocacy against historical injustices inflicted upon Africa.

The African side pledged close collaboration with China to ensure the summit's success, promote synergy between the AU's Agenda 2063 and China's Belt and Road Initiative, and achieve shared development and prosperity.

Observers noted China and Africa's close cooperation on global governance and sustainable development, actively safeguarding developing countries' common interests. China has provided nearly 20,000 government scholarships to African countries and trained over 10,000 short-term trainees.

Senegalese Foreign Minister Yassine Fall, co-chair of the conference, lauded China-Africa cooperation as "a unique example of South-South cooperation." She expressed appreciation for President Xi's support and commitment to strengthening Africa-China relations, particularly amidst current geopolitical, security, and climate crises.

Fall highlighted the tangible and promising results achieved in various fields of China-Africa cooperation over the past three years, ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to energy, health, peace, and security.

Foreign Minister Wang emphasized the importance of adapting the FOCAC mechanism to changing times, ensuring its efficient operation and continued leadership in international cooperation with Africa. He concluded by stating that strengthening unity and cooperation between the 2.8 billion Chinese and African people would inject new momentum into Global South cooperation and pave the way for building a community with a shared future for mankind.