As Africa prepares for the forthcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, both leaders and citizens on both continents are likely to welcome the news that trade between China and Africa has reached a record $282.1 billion by 2023.
Over the past few decades, China has emerged as the second-largest economy globally, after the United States, and has established itself as Africa's leading trading partner and the second-largest with South Africa. More significantly, China has leveraged its historical solidarity and friendly relations with Africa to foster closer socio-economic and political ties. This growing partnership has opened up new educational and employment opportunities for an increasing number of Africans both within and beyond the continent.
Ambassador Wu Peng, speaking at the launch of the book titled "Xi Jinping and the Flourishing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in the New Era," highlighted the transformative impact of enhanced cooperation and solidarity between China and African countries. He noted that in 2023, China-Africa trade reached an unprecedented $282.1 billion, a remarkable 26-fold increase since FOCAC's inception. Additionally, China's foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa has exceeded $40 billion, representing a more than 100-fold growth compared to the year 2000.
Ambassador Wu emphasized that FOCAC, since its establishment in 2000, has played a pivotal role in facilitating collective dialogue and practical cooperation between China and Africa. He described FOCAC as a model for international cooperation with Africa and a benchmark for South-South cooperation.
He also underscored China's long-term commitment to strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries, including South Africa, as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. Currently, 52 African countries, along with the African Union Commission, have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China.
The Ambassador highlighted several key projects that exemplify the China-Africa partnership, including the completion of the African Union Conference Centre, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, and the Maputo-Katembe Bridge. China has constructed or upgraded over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, more than 60,000 kilometers of submarine cables, nearly 1,000 bridges, 100 ports, and over 100 health facilities and schools across Africa.
Chinese enterprises have played a crucial role in building networks that have served over 900 million African people, enhancing Africa's capacity for self-driven, sustainable development, and creating significant opportunities for progress and prosperity for both China and Africa. Ambassador Wu emphasized that FOCAC stands out among global and transregional cooperation frameworks due to its unwavering advocacy for friendship, cooperation, mutual respect, equality, and joint consultation.
Looking ahead, China is committed to working closely with Africa to advance the goals of the African Union's Agenda 2063, support Africa's green development, and facilitate its technological advancement.
In early September 2024, Chinese and African leaders will convene at the FOCAC summit in Beijing under the theme, "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future."
