Beijing Hosts 9th Ministerial Meeting of China-Africa Cooperation Forum

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on Tuesday in Beijing, serving as a crucial precursor to the upcoming FOCAC Beijing Summit. The conference attracted over 300 participants, including foreign ministers and economic ministers from 53 African member countries, alongside representatives from the African Union and other regional and international organizations.

The conference provided a platform to review the progress made since the Eighth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in 2021. Key reports highlighted the outcomes of China-Africa development cooperation and China’s assistance to Africa over the past three years. Participants also reviewed and approved the agenda and draft outcome document for the forthcoming summit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who also serves as a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the significant impact of the rising Global South, represented by China and Africa, on the development of global society.

“This summit will surely set a new milestone for the Global South to move forward together toward modernization,” Wang stated, underscoring the deepening ties between China and Africa.

Wang noted that since the last ministerial conference, the partnership between China and Africa has reached new heights, with China being Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. The two sides have enhanced connectivity and jointly advanced key global initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative.

“Stronger solidarity and coordination among the 2.8 billion Chinese and African people will surely inject new momentum into Global South cooperation,” Wang remarked.

Representatives from African nations expressed their commitment to working closely with China to ensure the success of the upcoming summit. They also conveyed their readiness to deepen comprehensive cooperation with China to achieve shared development and prosperity.

The FOCAC Beijing Summit is expected to further solidify the foundation for China-Africa relations and chart a new course for future collaboration.