The first press briefing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on September 2, 2024 in Beijing, focusing on the progress in Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa.
The first press briefing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on September 2, 2024 in Beijing. (Photo by Duan Jianghan/Nanfang Daily)
Since China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, it has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 52 African countries and the African Union. This has led to a series of cooperation plans with nations such as Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Morocco, aligning with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and addressing the continent's developmental aspirations, according to Xu Jianping, director general of the Department of Regional Opening-up of the National Development and Reform Commission.
He noted that Chinese enterprises have been pivotal in Africa's infrastructure development, contributing to over 10,000 kilometers of new and upgraded railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, and the construction of numerous bridges, ports, and electricity transmission lines.
Healthcare has been another cornerstone of China-Africa cooperation. As of June 9, 2024, China has established over 130 medical facilities, including the China-Africa Friendship Hospital and the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, and has forged partnerships with 46 African hospitals. This has elevated local healthcare standards, Xu elaborated.
He added that the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine in Africa has effectively helped the local people combat diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Climate change is also a focus, with China and 17 African nations signing 19 South-South cooperation MoUs. Over 400 African officials, experts, and technicians have received training in adapting to and mitigating climate change, according to Li Yonghong, deputy director general of the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China.
In terms of agricultural collaboration, China has dispatched 432 agricultural experts to 11 African countries and shared vital techniques to improve agricultural productivity. Concurrently, African agricultural exports to China continue to grow by more than 10% annually, and China has become Africa's second largest market for agricultural products, Xu said.
He furthered that trade between China and Africa has flourished, with a record-high of 282.1 billion USD in 2023, solidifying China's position as Africa's top trading partner for 15 years. This has been a catalyst for Africa's economic growth, improved living standards, and job creation.
As the FOCAC summit approaches, China is poised to sign additional Belt and Road cooperation plans with African nations, further deepening ties and expanding the scope of collaboration. The National Development and Reform Commission has initiated a coordination mechanism for Belt and Road cooperation with Ethiopia and the African Union, with plans to extend this to other African countries to streamline the implementation of cooperation plans.
The 2024 FOCAC Summit, set to be the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, will convene from September 4 to 6 in Beijing. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will attend as a special guest, and representatives of relevant international and regional organizations will also participate as observers.
Reporter | Lydia Liu, Duan Jianghan (Nanfang Daily)
Editor | Steven Yuen, Monica Liu, James
