On 4th-6th September, the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was successfully held in Beijing. It is a big friendly gathering of China-Africa family again, and a major event with great significance and far-reaching impact. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Heads of State, Government and delegations from 53 African countries, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Secretary General of United Nations attended the Summit.
Under the theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” Chinese and Africans leaders took stock of the journey of China-Africa friendship, reached a clear political consensus on strengthening cooperation across the board. The Summit adopted unanimously two important documents, namely, Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era and the Action Plan, drawing a blueprint for the future cooperation between China and Africa. The major outcomes of the Summit can be summarized as follows:
Firstly, mutual political trust further enhanced.
China entered into strategic partnerships with all African countries having diplomatic ties with China. The leaders had strategic communication on the international situation and global governance. They agreed to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests, defend the common interests of developing countries, and promote international fairness and justice.
The leaders agreed to follow true multilateralism, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and champion an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. They agreed to oppose discrimination and prejudice, redress historical injustices, and ensure that all will benefit from the modernization process. The Summit has sent a powerful message of China and Africa pursuing development together, and demonstrated the Global South’s unwavering confidence in unity and cooperation.
Secondly, consensus on joint pursuit of modernization reached.
The modernization of China and Africa will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, and open a new chapter in our drive for a community with a shared future for mankind.
It is stressed that we should jointly advance modernization that is just and equitable. China is ready to support all African countries in exploring modernization paths befitting their national conditions, and help ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all countries.
It is stressed that we should jointly advance modernization that is open and win-win. China is ready to deepen cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation projects, and build together a model for the delivery of the Global Development Initiative.
It is stressed that we should jointly advance modernization that puts the people first. China will work vigorously with Africa to promote personnel training, poverty reduction and employment, enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security of the people in the course of modernization, and ensure that all will benefit from the process.
It is stressed that we should jointly advance modernization featuring diversity and inclusiveness. China will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilizations on our way to modernization, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the Global Civilization Initiative.
It is stressed that we should jointly advance modernization that is eco-friendly. China is ready to help Africa build “green growth engines”, narrow the gap in energy accessibility, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and jointly push for the global transition to green and low-carbon development.
It is stressed that we should jointly advance modernization underpinned by peace and security. China is ready to help Africa improve its capacity in safeguarding peace and stability independently, prioritize Africa in implementing the Global Security Initiative (GSI), promote mutual reinforcement of high-quality development and greater security, and work together with Africa to uphold world peace and stability.
Thirdly, actions to implement cooperation planned.
China will work with Africa to take ten partnership actions to deepen cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization.
On Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations. China is ready to work with Africa to build a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and invite 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance.
On Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity. China has decided to give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. China will expand market access for African agricultural products, deepen cooperation with Africa in e-commerce and other areas.
On Partnership Action for Industrial Chain Cooperation. China will foster industry cooperation growth clusters with Africa, push forward the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, and launch an “African SMEs empowerment program.” We will build with Africa a digital technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects.
On Partnership Action for Connectivity. China is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote together high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development.
On Partnership Action for Development Cooperation. China is ready to implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects. We will replenish the China-World Bank Group Partnership Facility to boost Africa’s development.
On Partnership Action for Health. China is ready to establish with Africa a hospitals alliance and joint medical centers. We will send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and launch 20 programs of health facilities and malaria treatment. We will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production, and continue to do what we can to help Africa with epidemic response. We support the development of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen public health capacity in all African countries.
On Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods. China will provide Africa with RMB1 billion yuan in emergency food assistance, build 6,670 hectares of standardized agriculture demonstration areas in Africa, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. We will implement 500 programs in Africa to promote community welfare.
On Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges. China will implement with Africa more solidly the Future of Africa—Vocational Education Cooperation Plan. We will provide 60,000 training opportunities to Africa, mainly for women and youths. We will launch with Africa a Cultural Silk Road program as well as an initiative of cooperation on innovation in radio, TV and audio and visual programs.
On Partnership Action for Green Development. China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation. We will collaborate on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration.
On Partnership Action for Common Security. China is ready to build with Africa a partnership for implementing the GSI. The two sides will conduct joint military exercises, training and patrol, carry out an “action for a mine-free Africa,” and jointly ensure the safety of personnel and projects.
Fourth, China and Seychelles established strategic partnership relationship.
President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting with President Wavel Ramkalawan on the sideline of the Summit. The two leaders announced the elevation of the China-Seychelles relationship to a strategic partnership.
Relations between China and Seychelles have become a model of sincere friendship, equality, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. We will continue to support each other's core interests and major concerns, and in this regard, we appreciate the one-China policy adhered by the Seychelles government and people. We will continue to enhance strategic mutual trust, realize common development and security, with a view to cementing traditional friendship.
In line with the important consensus reached by our two leaders, and under the framework of FOCAC, China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Seychelles in trade, commerce, investment, fishery and blue economy, climate change, education, culture, medical service, maritime security, people-to-people exchanges. Over the past years, we put the tourism as the top priority of bilateral cooperation, and we will pursue two-way cooperation, encouraging more Chinese and Seychellois to visit each other’s country. In this regard, we are working hard to re-establish the air connectivity between Chengdu and Seychelles, and the charter flight is expected to reopen in November. With the resumption of direct flight, I believe that commerce, trade and people-to-people exchanges will be significantly improved. The strategic partnership means a lot to both China and Seychelles. And we are confident that bilateral relations will bring tangible benefits to people of both countries.