Xi Jinping unveils $50Bln plan to strengthen China-Africa partnership
2 Min Read
At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit, a declaration and an action plan were adopted to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
-
A journalist films the screen at the media center showing China's President Xi Jinping delivering an opening ceremony speech for the China Africa Forum, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Friday that China is ready to work with Africa on implementing 10 partnership actions to promote modernization jointly, the Global Times report.
He also proposed elevating China's diplomatic relations with African countries to the level of strategic relations and advancing China-Africa ties to an "all-weather" community with a shared future for the new era.
Xi made these remarks during a keynote speech at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.
Read more: China recalibrates ties with African nations amid rift with West: NYT
The three-year action plan includes cooperation in trade, industrial development, healthcare, rural revitalization, green development, security, and people-to-people exchanges.
China will provide Africa with 360 billion yuan ($50.69 billion) to support these initiatives, offering duty-free access to products from least developed African nations, expanding market access, and facilitating 30 infrastructure projects, including a sea-rail transport network.
Additionally, China will send 2,000 medical personnel, implement healthcare and clean energy programs, and create 1 million jobs through Chinese businesses in Africa.
China's commitment includes knowledge transfer, governance experience-sharing, and military cooperation, offering opportunities for development and empowerment across Africa.
Observers praised the plan for deepening economic ties, encouraging innovation, and supporting Africa's modernization goals.
Read more: UN chief calls for injustices faced by Africa to be corrected
Sena Voncujovi, an analyst of Africa-China relations from Ghana, told Global Times that inclusive economic globalization will be key to the "all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era."
He noted that China's partnerships are primarily in manufacturing, which is aiding Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization, and integration into global supply chains.
Hamad Alhosani from TRENDS noted the importance of solidarity in this collaboration, particularly in a world marked by geopolitical tensions. For his perspective, FOCAC underscores cooperation rather than confrontation, thus positions China as a vital partner for Africa.
Song Wei, a scholar, added that the strengthened relationship demonstrates China's commitment to aligning and developing its national strategies alongside those of African nations.
