China-Africa cooperation unique in modern world history: Republic of Congo FM

China-Africa cooperation is unique in modern world history and has made great contributions to the modernization of Africa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the next co-chair of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Gakosso, together with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Senegalese Foreign Minister Yacine Fall, the African co-chair of FOCAC, met the press following the summit's opening ceremony.

"China-Africa cooperation is a unique example in modern world history. China-Africa cooperation has traveled an extraordinary journey. In the past two decades, it has achieved remarkable success and made tangible contributions to improving the living standards and well-being of the Chinese and African people. More than two decades ago, China extended a brotherly hand to Africa and made great contributions to the acceleration of the modernization of Africa. In the memory of all Africans, no country has ever engaged in such prosperous, exemplary and promising economic and trade cooperation with us as China has. I believe that this remarkable journey will be immortalized in the annals of history," said Gakosso.

China-Africa cooperation covers almost all fields and almost all African countries, including the construction of infrastructure, school buildings and social housing, new technologies development, the improvement of public medical services and water supply in rural areas, said Gakosso.

Gakosso highlighted that this year's FOCAC summit builds on past achievements and continues Africa-China cooperation based on mutual benefit, solidarity, and coordination, with the Belt and Road Initiative helping Africa further realize connectivity

Gakosso said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's dynamic leadership and great foresight has allowed China to become a prosperous world power in a short period of time, and China-Africa cooperation, as the cornerstone of FOCAC, has made China Africa's largest partner.

Gakosso paid tribute to Senegal for its hard work and outstanding achievements as the African co-chair of FOCAC and vowed to enhance China-Africa cooperation for the benefit of both sides.

"We in the Republic of the Congo are committed to pursuing this cause with the same determination, courage and dedication in order to achieve our common development goals for the benefit of the people of China and Africa. We will continue to work hard in the next three years to contribute to Africa's development and China-Africa friendship," said Gakosso.

Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the 2024 FOCAC summit aims to strengthen friendship and outline future cooperation between the two sides.

China-Africa cooperation unique in modern world history: Republic of Congo FM

China-Africa cooperation unique in modern world history: Republic of Congo 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