Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called for closer international collaboration to deliver tangible benefits to Africa.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, made the remarks when meeting the press together with Senegalese Foreign Minister Yacine Fall and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso during the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Briefing the media on the summit's major outcomes, Wang said all the participants reached a consensus that the 2024 FOCAC summit is a complete success, with China elevating bilateral relations with all African countries that established diplomatic ties with it to strategic partnership level.
Over the 24 years since the establishment of FOCAC, the cooperation between the two sides has played a significant role in promoting development in Africa and improving the livelihoods of the African people, Wang said.
"According to available statistics, around 100,000 kilometers of roads, over 10,000 kilometers of railroads, around 1,000 bridges and 100 ports have been built or upgraded as a result of China-Africa cooperation. China has sent medical teams to almost all African countries. These teams have reached out to remote rural areas, finishing around 230 million treatments. Over the past three years, Chinese companies have helped create 1.1 million jobs in Africa. China's livelihood projects, covering a wide range of sectors including food, water supply and education, are delivering benefits to people across the continent," he said.
He also stated that China's cooperation with Africa reflects a fundamental philosophy that guides the Communist Party of China (CPC), and also demonstrates the commitment of the Chinese people to internationalism. China will continue to provide comprehensive support for Africa's modernization.
"Our mutually beneficial cooperation enjoys endogenous driving force and it is a historical inevitability. FOCAC is not only a significant signboard of China-Africa friendship but also a stellar example of South-South cooperation. More importantly, it serves as a bright light that shines the way forward for international cooperation with Africa," he continued.
Meanwhile, he stated that China has developed distinctive characteristics in its collaboration with Africa. There are a number of principles.
"First, we do not interfere with Africa's internal affairs. Our support is sincere and no political conditions are attached. Second, we work to meet the needs of Africa. We focus both on infrastructure projects which will help drive overall development, at the same time, we focus on small but practical livelihood projects to help Africa, enhance its ability for self-driven development, and transform Africa's advantageous human and natural resources into drivers of development and benefits for the people. Third, geopolitical games are not a choice for us. We oppose creation of bloc confrontation on the continent, and we also oppose the action of exploiting Africa for selfish interests. We will work under the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith as proposed by President Xi in our collaboration with Africa. This summit will be our opportunity to work hand in hand for modernization and build the China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era," he said.
In addition, China calls on the international community to reach agreement on international cooperation with Africa.
"First, uphold justice. Modernization is not the prerogative of a few countries. African countries are also entitled to the right of development. Considering that African countries once fell victim to colonial exploitation, developed countries must shoulder their responsibility and strengthen North-South cooperation and scale up investment in driving Africa's development. At the same time, we will continue pursuing South-South cooperation and form strong international synergy for this. Second, uphold equality. We must factor in the concerns of African countries and respect their right to find development paths of their own. Any condescending approach or attempts to dictate terms must be rejected. Third, advocate results-oriented cooperation. We must match our words with actions. We must deliver tangible benefits for African people through our concrete cooperation," he said.
The 2024 FOCAC summit was attended by 51 African heads of state and government, two presidential representatives, Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Founded in 2000, the FOCAC now comprises of 55 members, including China and the 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, as well as the AU Commission.
Chinese FM calls for closer int'l collaboration to deliver tangle benefits to Africa
Chinese FM calls for closer int'l collaboration to deliver tangle benefits to Africa
