Xi Introduces Strategic Partnership Initiatives to Bolster China-Africa Relations at FOCAC 2024

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: In a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China is ready to work with Africa to implement 10 partnership actions aimed at jointly advancing modernization. Xi emphasized that with one-third of the world’s population residing in China and Africa, global modernization cannot be achieved without the modernization of these two regions.

The 10 partnership actions, which will be implemented over the next three years, span areas such as mutual learning among civilizations, trade, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture, livelihoods, people-to-people exchanges, green development, and common security. Xi expressed China’s commitment to deepening its relations with Africa, proposing the creation of an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.” Additionally, he suggested elevating bilateral relations with African countries to the level of strategic relations.

Xi highlighted that the China-Africa relationship, now stronger than ever, is the result of nearly 70 years of cooperation. Expounding on the 10 partnership actions, he outlined several initiatives designed to enhance this partnership:

1. Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: China plans to establish platforms for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network, and 25 research centers on China and Africa studies. China will also invite 1,000 members of African political parties to foster deeper exchanges on governance.
2. Trade Prosperity: China will open its market further, offering zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines for the least developed countries that have diplomatic ties with China, including 33 African nations. This move makes China the first major economy to take such a step, offering African countries enhanced access to China’s vast market.
3. Industrial Chain Cooperation: China will launch a Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and an empowerment program for African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A China-Africa digital technology cooperation center and 20 digital demonstration projects will also be initiated.
4. Connectivity: China will carry out 30 infrastructure projects across Africa and promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
5. Development Cooperation: China is ready to implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects in Africa and release a joint statement on deepening cooperation within the Global Development Initiative.
6. Health: China will establish a hospitals alliance and joint medical centers with Africa, send 2,000 medical personnel to the continent, and launch 20 health programs, including malaria treatment initiatives.
7. Agriculture and Livelihoods: China will provide 1 billion yuan (about $140 million) in emergency food assistance to Africa, send 500 agricultural experts, and create a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. These efforts are expected to create 1 million jobs for Africa.
8. People-to-People Exchanges: China will build 10 Luban Workshops and provide 60,000 training opportunities to Africans, focusing on women and youth. The two sides have also designated 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
9. Green Development: China will launch 30 clean energy projects, establish a forum on the peaceful use of nuclear technology, and collaborate with Africa on space exploration and satellite technology.
10. Common Security: China aims to build a partnership with Africa to implement the Global Security Initiative (GSI), providing 1 billion yuan in military assistance and strengthening security cooperation.

To implement these actions, China will provide 360 billion yuan in financial support over the next three years. President Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to working closely with African nations to promote shared development and modernization, marking a new era in China-Africa relations.