President Xi Jinping of China on Thursday called for deeper ties towards advancing the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
Mr Xi disclosed this in his keynote address at the opening of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China.
The summit, which started on September 4 to end on September 6, has the theme: “Joining hands to advance modernisation and build a community with a shared future”.
According to him, China-Africa friendship transcends time and space, as well as surmount mountains and oceans, and passes down through generations.
“The founding of FOCAC in 2000 was a milestone in the history of China-Africa relations.
“Over the past 24 years, China has advanced forward hand-in-hand with our African brothers and sisters in the spirit of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with each other, to firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests as once-in-a-century changes sweep across the world.
“We get stronger and more resilient together by riding the tide of economic globalisation, delivering tangible benefits to billions of ordinary Chinese and Africans.
“We share weal and woe in fighting natural disasters and epidemics together, creating touching stories of China-Africa friendship.
“The bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China should be elevated to the level of strategic relations,” Mr Xi said.
He underscored the need for modernisation as an inalienable right of all countries, adding that the Western approach to it has inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries.
President Xi said that since the end of World War II, third world nations, represented by China and African countries, have achieved independence and development one after another.
He said that they also endeavoured to redress historical injustices of the modernisation process.
“China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernisation will set off a wave of modernisation in the Global South and open a new chapter in our drive for a community with a shared future for mankind,” he added.
He underscored the need for both parties to jointly advance modernisation that is just and equitable, open and win-win, puts people first, diverse and inclusive, eco-friendly, and underpinned by peace and security.
Mr Xi assured African countries of China’s partnership in 10 areas that includes industrial chain and development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihood, people-to-people exchanges, green development, common security among others.
“To implement the 10 partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB360 billion an of financial support through the next three years.
“This breaks down into RMB210 billion of credit line, RMB80 billion of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB70 billion of investment in Africa by Chinese companies.
“In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas,” Mr Xi said.
(NAN)
