China, Africa agree on joint efforts to practice multilateralism, advance modernization: FM

China and Africa have agreed to work together to practice multilateralism and jointly advance modernization, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday as he listed the main outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Wang, together with Senegalese Foreign Minister Yacine Fall, the African co-chair of FOCAC, and Jean-Claude Gakosso, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo, the next co-chair of FOCAC, met the press following the summit's opening ceremony.

Wang briefed the media on the key achievements and agreements reached at the 2024 FOCAC summit, which is being held from Wednesday to Friday and is the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years.

"During the summit, under the theme of 'Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,' the two sides reflected on the journey of China-Africa friendship, highly commended the progress made in implementing the outcomes of FOCAC and reached a clear political consensus on strengthening cooperation across the board. Two important documents, namely the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Action Plan, have been adopted unanimously," said Wang. China has established or upgraded strategic partnerships with 30 African countries during the summit, elevating ties between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China to the level of strategic relations, Wang noted.

During the summit, Chinese and African leaders agreed to elevate China-Africa relations to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, said Wang.

Wang said the six-point proposal put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping to jointly advance modernization that is just and equitable, that is open and win-win, that puts the people first, that features diversity and inclusiveness, that is eco-friendly, and that is underpinned by peace and security, has been well received among African leaders and has become the political consensus between the two sides.

Wang said the summit drew up a blueprint for the next phase of China-Africa cooperation, with President Xi calling for 10 partnership actions to be implemented within the next three years, covering areas including mutual learning, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people exchanges, green development, and common security.

"During the summit, China and Africa also engaged in strategic communication on the international situation and global governance. Both sides agreed to firmly support each other on issues that bear on each other's core interests and major concerns, protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and promote international fairness and justice. Both sides agreed to jointly practice true multilateralism, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Both sides agreed to work together to tear down small yards with high fences, reject discrimination and prejudice, redress historical injustices, and pursue a path to modernization that brings benefits to all," Wang said.

The 2024 FOCAC summit welcomed the attendance of 51 African heads of state and government, two presidential representatives, the Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Founded in 2000, FOCAC now comprises of 55 members, including China and the 53 African countries it has established diplomatic relations with, as well as the AU Commission.

China, Africa agree on joint efforts to practice multilateralism, advance modernization: FM

China, Africa agree on joint efforts to practice multilateralism, advance modernization: FM

Authorities in east China's coastal provinces Zhejiang and Jiangsu have launched emergency evacuation of residents to help mitigate the impact of Typhoon Bebinca -- the 13th typhoon of the year.

In Zhejiang's Pinghu City, communities have started the relocation work. The old town area of Xindai, home to about 1,400 permanent residents, including some 30 percent elderly, has been a focus of evacuation efforts.

Over 50 elderly residents have been evacuated to a temporary courtyard shelter, where they have plenty of space for meals and walking around. The shelter is equipped with folding beds, food, drinking water and medical staff standing by to address any health concerns.

The province also raised its emergency response for typhoon prevention to level II.

In Jiangsu Province, Nantong City has conducted comprehensive safety inspections and organized evacuations in key areas.

Nantong's Rugao Port on the Yangtze River was shutdown on Sunday afternoon.

All workers at the Zhangjiagang-Jingjiang-Rugao Bridge construction site -- located at a river shoal -- are evacuated ahead of the storm attack.

"From the temporary ferry to the Rugao-Zhangjiagang ferry, we have evacuated a total of 428 people. So far, all construction personnel of the Zhangjinggao Bridge within the scope of this construction site have been evacuated to our shelter," said Ding Xiaoxing, chief engineer of Rugao Water Affairs Department.

Authorities in Nantong has evacuated more than 1,400 people and over 200 vessels along the coastal area under its jurisdiction.

Making landfall in Shanghai on Monday morning, Typhoon Bebinca is the most powerful tropical cyclone directly hitting the Chinese financial hub in more than seven decades.

Zhejiang, Jiangsu evacuate residents as Typhoon Bebinca lands in east China