International observers have praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit for boosting global confidence, as China and Africa step up efforts to jointly advance modernization and build a high-level community with a shared future.
The FOCAC summit, which took place from Sept 4 to 6 in Beijing, was the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders.
Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the three-day event aimed to strengthen friendship and outline future cooperation between the two sides.
President Xi delivered a keynote speech titled "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a Community with a Shared Future" at the opening ceremony of the summit on Sept 5.
President Xi's speech resonated deeply with African leaders and scholars as they praised Xi for elevating China-Africa relations to a new level and for promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and joint progress between the two sides.
"President Xi Jinping's address today signifies perhaps one of the best summits of Africa and China. I think it comes at a very critical moment in global history, with so many changes. With all this turbulence, Africa and China remain close friends, protecting each other's interests," said David Monye, director of the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
In response to a joint letter from 63 scholars from 50 African countries congratulating the successful conclusion of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President Xi encouraged African scholars to continue providing intellectual support for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and safeguarding the common interests of the Global South.
Justus Thuthi Wanjiru, director of the Corporate Center (CC) at the Africa Policy Institute (API), expressed appreciation for President Xi's recognition of the role played by Chinese and African scholars and encouraged unity based on the Dar es Salaam Consensus between China and Africa to promote academic exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, and develop better policies for bilateral cooperation.
"From today's speech from President Xi, it clearly states that the president is ready and willing to help Africa grow. So, the shared future of the world as we shape it, the youth must be included in this. And the president embraces the young people. He knows there is no future without the young people and that is why in anything he responds to young people. He encourages people-to-people connectivity," said Wanjiru.
African officials and workers welcomed President Xi's announcement of 10 partnership action plans to jointly advance modernization over the next three years. They see this as a clear direction for the further development of China-Africa relations.
"I think in the keynote address, the part that really interests me is the part on trade that will lead to prosperity. That China will open up its market for Nigeria, for African products. In that area, African commodities coming from Nigeria would have a market in China. That is very important for me and for Nigeria, because trade and investment is important for Africa," said Tunde Rahman, senior special assistant to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
President Xi's suggestion to send African governance experts to further deepen the governance process in Africa was also well-received. Rahman praised this initiative as a commitment to fostering dialogue and knowledge sharing, essential for strengthening governance structures on the continent.
"What impressed me the most in President Xi's speech was the emphasis on the green development partnerships among the 10 partnership action plans proposed for promoting modernization. As a Rwandan working for a Chinese company, I took great pride in contributing to the construction of the hydro power station in Rwanda. After watching the speech at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, I gained a deep appreciation for the China-Africa partnership," said Claude, a construction technician at the Nabalongo II Hydropower Station project in Rwanda.
International observers have hailed the China-Africa partnership as a model for win-win cooperation, showcasing how two continents can work hand in hand on the journey of modernization.
"There is also something His Excellency mentioned about industrial chain corporation. This is also important in terms of skills transfer, technology transfer between Chinese companies and African businesses. There will be that kind of collaboration between the business sector. That even the modernization we are talking about here is going to be much easier," said Diane Sayinzoga, head of the Special Economic Zones and Export Facilitation Department under the Rwanda Development Board.
Bhokin Bhalakula, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, echoed the sentiment.
"I was deeply moved by President Xi Jinping's keynote speech. China is applying its own successful experience to support Africa's modernization efforts. At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, President Xi proposed the 10 partnership action plans with Africa to advance modernization. China-Africa cooperation is not only a model for international relations but will also promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. I firmly believe that China-Africa cooperation will boost Africa's economic growth, improve the well-being of African people, and reduce regional conflicts. This will serve as a model for the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity," said Bhalakula.
Inaugurated at its first ministerial conference in Beijing in October 2000, FOCAC now has 55 members comprising China, the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, and the African Union Commission.
Xi's FOCAC speech injects confidence to joint modernization endeavors: global observers
