Mali experts encouraged by Xi's speech at FOCAC Summit

Experts in Mali commended Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit for reaffirming China's commitment to the continent while showing respect for African countries' self-determined development pathways.

Mahamadou Sanogo, a research lecturer at the University of Legal Sciences in Bamako, said that Xi's speech hit on key issues that resonate with the needs of people across Africa.

"It is a speech that appeals to everyone. President Xi raised a lot of issues that are in favor of the African continent. China raised the issue of African independence and Africa cannot be independent without having key and strategic partners. He also raised the issue of cooperation between China and some African countries. The Chinese president then addressed the issue of realizing Africa's goals, human resources training, poverty reduction and employment, peace and security. He also mentioned that China and Africa account for one third of the world's population. This means that without China and Africa, there will be no real development," Sanogo said.

The expert said he was happy to hear substantiative proposals in the speech, noting that concrete steps must be taken to achieve progress.

"In a way, China and Africa share the same path in the process of development. China therefore wants to have key strategic partners to achieve a win-win partnership. Today, we need action because we have seen that when partners often talk, fundraising can be problematic," he said.

Aliou Sissoko, chairman of the Chinese Friends Club Association highlighted that Xi's speech indicated a willingness to engage in true dialogue with Africa rather than dictating what is best for the continent.

"President Xi Jinping's speech was a very fabulous speech, an integration speech that shows China's commitment to Africa. Today, the proposals that have been made by President Xi Jinping are very beneficial for Africa. It is about ensuring that Africa can make concrete proposals in the context of its development, on infrastructure, agriculture, new technologies, and especially to set up a system to combat insecurity here in Africa. So, with the 50 billion U.S. dollars available to Africa, it is up to us to know what our priorities are. Based on that, we will try to define the right position for Africa and to help China also to help us. It is true that China has good intentions, but we Africans must have good proposals ourselves so that China can facilitate investment and so that Africa can benefit from this relationship for Africans. And it is up to us now to tell China what we want, and like that, it will facilitate the development of the continent," Sissoko said.

Held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, the 2024 FOCAC summit attracted over 50 African leaders, who highlighted the common pursuit of China and African countries in realizing modernization.

During the summit, both sides unanimously adopted two important documents -- a declaration on jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and an action plan of the FOCAC for the next three years.

Mali experts encouraged by Xi's speech at FOCAC Summit

Truck drivers and their cargoes sought refuge in a Shanghai activity hub as Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades, made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing heavy rains and winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.

In the Pudong District, situated on the southeastern tip of Shanghai, the impact of Typhoon Bebinca was stark, with trees and road signs uprooted, construction sites disrupted, and bicycles scattered across the ground.

Shanghai is not prone to strong typhoons, but local authorities have made emergency plans.

In Lingang Special Area, an activity hub was transformed into a temporary shelter for over 130 truck drivers and their cargoes.

"With such strong winds, it's not safe to park my truck on the street. Trees could fall. Parking here is a safer choice. The service is good here. It's clean, and it also provides food. We can take a shower here," said Wang Shaodong, a truck driver from east China's Anhui Province.

"The Donghai Bridge has been closed, as the typhoon is approaching. That's why we came here. They provide us with bedding, and air conditioners were turned on. So we are staying here. There are also meals downstairs," said Gong Xiangge, a hazardous cargo driver from east China's Shandong Province.

"We call these truck drivers 'men living on wheels.' The 13th typhoon [of this year] brought gales, with maximum wind speed reaching 36.9 meters per second, so danger may come at any time. So staying on the side of the street is unsafe for both trucks and drivers," said Fan Jianrong, deputy director of Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group.

Although traffic resumed on all roads and bridges across Shanghai starting from 20:00 on Monday, precautions are still in place as Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th of the year, has formed in the northeastern Pacific and could follow a similar path to Typhoon Bebinca.

The director of the center said that the shelter remains open to those in need, ensuring that assistance is readily available for individuals affected by the poor weather.

Truck drivers seek shelter as powerful typhoon hits Shanghai