FOCAC summit fruitful platform for cooperation: Cape Verdean PM

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) represents a fruitful platform for cooperation between the two sides, said the Prime Minister of Cape Verde Ulisses Correia e Silva, who is in Beijing for the ongoing 2024 FOCAC summit.

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

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), Silva said Cape Verde looks forward to achieving win-win results with China through the platform.

"It [FOCAC] is a great platform, where China and Africa can carry out political dialogue and achieve win-win results. Agreements can be signed by both sides, particularly in financing, public fund development, and investment attraction. This will facilitate increased collaboration between Chinese companies, including private businesses, and investors from African nations, like Cape Verde, to collectively explore markets. This enables us to better improve economic development and tackle developmental challenges effectively," he noted.

The Cape Verdean Prime Minister also praised the concept of a China-Africa community with a shared future and acknowledged its achievements in various fields.

"The concept of China-Africa community with a shared future is exactly what we need for our future. China has always set an example for developing countries. Its development strategy is highly pragmatic and has yielded fruitful results. China has made significant investments in human capital, a key factor in its success, which is similar to Cape Verde. While people often attribute China's success to infrastructure development, I believe that its success also stems from investments in human resources, education, knowledge, science, technology, and innovation. These are the factors contributing to the different levels of development among nations. China also has robust mechanisms to ensure national stability. The country has successfully eradicated poverty, a significant challenge faced by Africa. Therefore, the China-Africa community with a shared future also offers a reference for the development path we are seeking," he explained.

Silva also stressed China's crucial role on the international stage.

"On the international stage, China plays a fundamental role as a key participant in maintaining peace and security. China is a major global player and a populous nation, and its development also influences the development of other countries through avenues like consumer and production markets. The common development between China and African nations can lead to a more balanced distribution of production and income," he said.

FOCAC summit fruitful platform for cooperation: Cape Verdean PM

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