Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong announced on Friday that now is “the right time” to deepen cooperation between China and Africa, ahead of the upcoming China-Africa summit in Beijing next month.
Speaking at a press conference, Chen emphasized the importance of the meeting for amplifying the voice of the Global South in the reform of global governance. “Currently, a once-in-a-century change is accelerating and the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation,” said Chen. “China and African countries are both important members of the Global South, and Africa is experiencing a new awakening by actively promoting the process of unity, self-improvement, and integration,” he added.
The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will commence on September 5th, with Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the opening ceremony. Xi is expected to deliver a keynote speech and announce a new package of aid to Africa, according to Chen.
Representatives from 53 African countries, all members of FOCAC, will participate in the three-day summit. This will be the fourth summit since the forum’s inception in 2006.
China, as Africa’s largest trading partner and a significant source of investment, continues to play a pivotal role in the continent’s development. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a cornerstone of Xi’s foreign policy, also prominently features Africa as a key region for infrastructure and economic projects.
The summit is anticipated to further solidify the strategic partnership between China and Africa, fostering greater economic cooperation and mutual development.
