It is widely expected that the Summit will be a milestone of China-Africa relations and start a new chapter in the construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future.
Deepened Political Trust Stemming from Similar Historical Experiences and Shared Responsibility for the Future
China is the largest developing country. Africa is the continent with most developing countries. They have been closely linked by similar historical experiences and shared responsibility for the future. Deeming Africa as the cornerstone of its foreign policy, China has always adhered to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith in dealing with Africa. For that reason, China is a reliable friend and sincere partner of African countries in their cause to safeguard independence and pursue development.
African countries and people are advancing along the path of modernization chosen by themselves. China is willing to be a partner and supporter along Africa countries' path to modernization. At the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue held in August 2023, China announced the launch of the 'the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization', 'the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization' and 'the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development'.
These three initiatives cover areas that Africa urgently needs to advance modernization, demonstrating China's sincerity in supporting Africa's development with concrete actions. China and Africa have undertaken vivid practices of jointly exploring modernization, promoting win-win cooperation, harmonious coexistence, and common prosperity of civilizations.
Practical Cooperation as Partners to Explore Path to Modernization Suitable to National Contexts and to Pursue the Happiness of People
Since its establishment in 2000, FOCAC has focused on achieving common prosperity and sustainable development for the Chinese and African peoples, adhering to the principle of consultation, contribution and common benefits. It has developed into an important platform for collective dialogue, and an effective mechanism for practical cooperation.
The cooperation in the economic and trade fields under the framework of FOCAC has achieved fruitful results, benefiting Chinese and African peoples.
First is the trade cooperation. In 2023, China-Africa trade volume reached US$282.1 billion, an increase of nearly 11% compared with 2021. Historical highs were updated for two consecutive years, demonstrating the strong momentum and resilience of China-Africa trade.
Second is China-Africa investment cooperation. China has remained as one of Africa's major sources of foreign investment for long. As of the end of 2023, China's direct investment in Africa exceeded US$ 40 billion. Over the past three years, the economic and trade cooperation zones in Africa built by Chinese companies through investment have attracted more than thousand companies. Chinese companies in Africa have created more than 1.1 million jobs, making important contributions to exportation, and government tax income.
Third is infrastructure cooperation. Over the past decade, Chinese companies have signed project contracts worthy of more than US$700 billion in Africa, and achieved more than US$ 400 billion as volume of business. A number of landmark projects and 'small or beautiful' projects have been implemented in the fields of transportation, energy, electricity, housing, and people's livelihood. These projects have effectively promoted local economic and social development.
Fourth is cooperation in emerging fields. As for e-commerce, China and Africa have joined hands to expand the 'Silk Road e-commerce' cooperation and held online shopping festivals featuring quality African products. When the Rwandan Ambassador to China, H.E. James Kimonyo, showed up at the virtual live streaming showroom to promote Rwandan coffee, 3,000 bags of coffee were sold out in a few seconds. Chinese e-commerce companies have proactively explored the Kenyan market and created nearly 10.000 jobs for local youth. In the field of health, Chinese companies have invested in medicine in Mali, Uganda, Cameroon and other countries to improve the accessibility of local medicines in Africa. Countless examples of good practices ae being implemented every day, benefiting Chinese and African peoples.
The FOCAC Summit is about to take place. China and Africa will work together to pursue modernization and better living of Chinese and African peoples. The summit will also provide an opportunity for the further development of China-Rwanda relations. China and Rwanda are working closely to deepen political trust, and promote practical cooperation projects based on that precious trust. I believe that based on the common political will of both sides, the summit will surely lead China-Rwanda bilateral relations to a new height.
Wang Xuekun
