Efficacious Approach

Among the various remarkable events during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, where leaders from China and 53 African countries discussed ways to deepen cooperation, was the signing of an agreement by China, Tanzania and Zambia to revitalise the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, a landmark project of China-Africa cooperation. Over 50,000 Chinese engineers had gone to Africa to work on its construction, 69 of whom sacrificed their lives for it. “This is the way for us not only to pay tribute to our forefathers, but also to show our commitment to re-energise this railway of friendship in the new era,” said Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and minister of foreign affairs. Wang made the remark on 5 September at a press conference with Foreign Minister Yassine Fall of Senegal, the outgoing African co-chair of FOCAC, and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the incoming African co-chair. Together, they took questions from Chinese and foreign journalists, offering a chance for the world to understand the event and its implications.
October 29, 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign leaders gather for group photos prior to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on 5 September (XINHUA)

Among the various remarkable events during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, where leaders from China and 53 African countries discussed ways to deepen cooperation, was the signing of an agreement by China, Tanzania and Zambia to revitalise the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, a landmark project of China-Africa cooperation. Over 50,000 Chinese engineers had gone to Africa to work on its construction, 69 of whom sacrificed their lives for it.

“This is the way for us not only to pay tribute to our forefathers, but also to show our commitment to re-energise this railway of friendship in the new era,” said Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and minister of foreign affairs.

Wang made the remark on 5 September at a press conference with Foreign Minister Yassine Fall of Senegal, the outgoing African co-chair of FOCAC, and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the incoming African co-chair. Together, they took questions from Chinese and foreign journalists, offering a chance for the world to understand the event and its implications.

A fruitful gathering

Wang broke down the outcomes of the summit into four major parts. Firstly, China now has strategic partnerships with all African countries having diplomatic ties with China, after granting the prestigious status to its relations with another 30 countries during the summit. “China and 53 African strategic partners, standing shoulder to shoulder, will play a greater role in improving the well-being of the Chinese and African people, and safeguarding world peace and stability,” Wang said.

Secondly, the characterisation of the overall China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. Wang said that this progress demonstrates the firm resolve of the Chinese and African people to share weal and woe and march forward hand in hand, and opens a new chapter in the cause of building a community with a shared future for mankind.  

Thirdly, a six-point proposition for China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernisation was articulated. Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Africa should advance modernisation that is just and equitable, that is open and win-win, that puts the people first, that features diversity and inclusiveness, that is eco-friendly, and that is underpinned by peace and security.  

Lastly, the summit drew up a blueprint for future China-Africa cooperation. The two sides adopted the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan for strengthening China-Africa cooperation in the next three years. President Xi announced 10 partnership actions that China would take with Africa to advance modernisation in the next three years.

Recalling the various areas China-Africa cooperation covers from the construction of infrastructure to people-to-people exchanges, Gakosso said that the 2024 FOCAC Summit has been one that builds on past achievements. “It is a continuity of China and Africa’s commitment where mutually beneficial cooperation and proactive solidarity constitute the cornerstone of the relationship,” he said.

An effective mechanism

Responding to a question about the implementation of the outcomes of the eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2021, Fall highlighted the notable progress of China-Africa cooperation in agriculture, industry, and other areas, and concluded that the forum has made concrete contribution to Africa’s social and economic transformation.

According to her, trade volume between China and Africa has grown to $282 billion, which is expected to reach the $300 billion mark by 2025. To better balance trade, China has committed to increasing Africa’s export capacity and further easing inspection and quarantine measures for African products exported to China.

“In this regard, the mechanism for admitting African products to China and the implementation of a 98-percent tariff-free treatment for African countries classified as least developed countries is being implemented. President Xi’s announcement to increase this rate to 100 percent opens up real prospects for cooperation,” she said.

She also emphasised China’s active role in facilitating peace and security in Africa. According to her, discussions have been initiated for the creation of an academy for peacekeeping and combating terrorism and cybercrime in Africa with the assistance of China in order to strengthen the capabilities of African armies. The United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund, established in 2016, and the $200 million China has committed over 10 years could be redirected towards African priorities in peacekeeping operations, combating terrorism and post-conflict peace consolidation.

“Obviously, these tangible results will be multiplied by 10 partnership actions for modernisation that the Chinese side has kindly undertaken within the framework of the new action plan,” she said.

Wang emphasised how FOCAC has enabled both sides to improve the livelihood of African people. According to him, over the past three years, Chinese companies have helped to create 1.1 million job opportunities for Africa. Other livelihood projects, including those for food, water supply and education, are delivering benefits to all African people.

He said China is happy that more countries are turning their attention to Africa, as the progress of Africa is essential to human progress. He believed the FOCAC mechanism is a bright light that shines the way forward for international cooperation with Africa. He urged those cooperating with Africa to uphold justice and equality, and deliver tangible benefits to African people.

Taking the baton of FOCAC co-chair from Senegal, Gakosso expressed gratitude for Senegal’s work as co-chair of FOCAC as well as its positive initiatives and remarkable achievements, and pledged to do the same as the next co-chair. “In the coming three years, we will continue to work to our utmost capacity for the development of the two sides and for the China-Africa friendship,” he said.