Africa cooperation paves way toward better future

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By Kwizela Aristide Basebya (People's Daily Online) 14:20, September 05, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) delivers a speech at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 25, 2013. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

During his first visit to Africa as Chinese president, Xi Jinping laid a strong foundation for what has become the China-Africa community with a shared future. Speaking at the Chinese-aided Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 25, 2013, Xi outlined his vision.

In his speech titled "Trustworthy Friends and Sincere Partners Forever," Xi announced four principles guiding China's policy towards Africa: "zhen shi qin cheng," meaning sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. These principles largely shape the agenda and initiatives of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

President Xi said that China’s approach to its African partners is rooted in "sincerity." In conducting cooperation with Africa, China emphasizes "real results." In strengthening its friendship with Africa, China focuses on "affinity." Lastly, in resolving problems that may arise in cooperation, China underscores the importance of acting in "good faith."

While reviewing the China-Africa historical relationship, President Xi insisted that the defining features of China-Africa relations are sincerity, friendship, mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development.

Since President Xi announced the four principles, China has remained committed to them. The two sides have cooperated and stood together in various sectors and fields, pressing ahead on the path of solidarity and cooperation. They have stood for justice amid shifting global dynamics and looked out for each other in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions have taken China-Africa relations to new heights and ushered in a new stage of partnership.

China’s focus on "real results" in its relationship with Africa addresses a long-standing gap. For centuries, Africa experienced colonialism, imperialism, continuous exploitation, and an unfair and unjust international order. This system, created by former colonial powers and Western nations, has too often neglected Africa's real needs and development.

The four principles have guided the China-Africa relationship toward modernization and unprecedented human development. These principles have transformed Africa into an engine of economic growth, bringing hope to millions of Africans and, more significantly, elevating the continent’s role in global development.

Since the inception of these principles, whether in FOCAC summits and ministerial meetings, gatherings of China-Africa leaders at multilateral or bilateral levels, or various international forums, President Xi, demonstrating his dedication to Africa’s development, has announced major programs that contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to modernizing the continent. This approach demonstrates China's commitment to turning words into action.

For instance, at the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, President Xi proposed building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, a proposal unanimously endorsed by African leaders.

In addition, leading up to the Eighth FOCAC ministerial conference in Dakar, Senegal, in 2021, China and Africa jointly prepared the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. Under the vision's first three-year plan, China pledged to work closely with African countries to implement various projects.

The Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Dakar, Senegal, Nov. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Yan)

In his speech at the opening ceremony of that conference, President Xi announced nine projects spanning various sectors. These included medical and health, poverty reduction and agricultural development, trade promotion, investment promotion, digital innovation, green development, capacity building, cultural and people-to-people exchange, and peace and security. These wide-ranging programs are already showing tangible results in almost all African countries.

For instance, in the agriculture sector and poverty reduction, currently the backbone of most African economies, President Xi announced that China would undertake 10 poverty reduction and agricultural projects for Africa and send 500 agricultural experts to the continent.

Regarding capacity building and cultural and people-to-people exchange programs, President Xi said China would help build or upgrade 10 African schools and invite 10,000 high-level African professionals to seminars and workshops.

He also vowed that China would implement the "Future of Africa" project, focusing on vocational education cooperation between China and Africa, and also start an employment "through train" scheme for African students in China. Additionally, Xi pledged that China would continue to work with African countries to set up "Luban Workshops" and encouraged Chinese companies in Africa to create at least 800,000 local jobs.