Xinhua News Review | True Friends of China and Africa, Pursuing the Dream of Modernization Together

N'Djamena, January 9th (Xinhua) -- True friends between China and Africa, pursuing the dream of modernization together

Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Ze

On the path of modernization, no one can be left behind, and no country can be left behind. "In September 2024, President Xi Jinping proposed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation that China and Africa should work together to promote the" six modernizations "and implement the" ten major partnership actions, "which received a warm response from the African side. At the beginning of 2025, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, was invited to visit four African countries to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and promote the sustainable and in-depth development of China Africa relations. The first visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to Africa at the beginning of 35 consecutive years fully reflects the enduring traditional friendship between China and Africa. China's friendly cooperation with Africa has been consistent, witnessing China and Africa walking side by side on the path of modernization, and confirming the profound connotation of "true friends are those who share the same path".

The true friendship between China and Africa is reflected in the friendship that transcends time and space, mountains and seas, and is passed down from generation to generation. Whether in the turbulent years of striving for national independence and liberation, or in the common development process of seeking mutually beneficial cooperation, China and Africa have always understood, trusted, supported, and helped each other. The Chinese people will never forget that more than 50 years ago, the vast number of developing countries represented by African countries "carried China" into the United Nations. It was with China's leading voice of support that the African Union participated in the G20 summit as an official member for the first time in November 2024. Supporting Africans to solve African problems in an African way, actively participating in the construction of Africa's capacity to maintain peace and security, and holding a special summit on China Africa solidarity against the epidemic... China sincerely supports Africa. Similarly, "firmly adhering to the One China principle", "firmly supporting China's position on core interests such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, and human rights", "firmly supporting the Chinese government's efforts to achieve complete national reunification"... African countries have a firm and clear attitude and stance on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns.

At the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2024, China's bilateral relations with all African countries that have established diplomatic relations were upgraded to the level of strategic relations, the overall positioning of China Africa relations was upgraded to an all-weather China Africa community of common destiny in the new era, and China Africa friendly cooperation stood at a new starting point.

The true friendship between China and Africa is reflected in the mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation between China and Africa. The greatest 'righteousness' of China Africa relations is to use China's development to support Africa's development, ultimately achieving mutual benefit, win-win results, and common development. The Forum on China Africa Cooperation has played an important role in promoting African development and improving people's livelihoods in Africa. It has become a symbol of China Africa solidarity and cooperation, a banner of South South cooperation, and a model for leading international cooperation with Africa. Since the establishment of the forum 25 years ago, China has helped Africa build 100000 kilometers of roads, over 10000 kilometers of railways, nearly a thousand bridges, and nearly a hundred ports. In just the past three years, it has created over one million job opportunities for Africa. The livelihood projects such as food, water supply, and education implemented in Africa have benefited the vast majority of African people.

In 2023, the trade volume between China and Africa reached 282.1 billion US dollars, and China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years; As of the end of 2023, China's stock of direct investment in Africa exceeds 40 billion US dollars, making it one of the main sources of foreign investment in Africa; The 7th China International Import Expo supports 37 least developed countries to participate, providing over 120 free booths and expanding the African product zone; Starting from December 1, 2024, China will grant 100% tariff free treatment to all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries... China will share development opportunities with Africa through practical actions. Dennis Munene, Executive Director of the Central Africa Center at the Kenya Africa Policy Institute, said that China's zero tariff measures will help products from the least developed countries enter the Chinese market, drive African economic development, and assist in poverty reduction.

The true friendship between China and Africa is reflected in their joint efforts to pursue the dream of modernization. At present, China is unswervingly promoting the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation with Chinese path to modernization in an all-round way. Africa is also experiencing a new awakening and making steady progress towards the modernization goal described in the 2063 Agenda of the African Union. After the successful holding of the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2024, China and Africa will join hands and forge ahead in unity to usher in new historical opportunities.

In 2025, the Forum on China Africa Cooperation will celebrate its 25th anniversary. This year, the focus will be on holding a ministerial meeting of coordinators for the implementation of the forum's outcomes, in order to promote more "early gains" in the implementation of the summit's results; Next year, we will jointly host events such as the 70th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and the "China Africa Cultural Exchange Year". By holding the 18th Senior Officials' Meeting of the forum, we aim to accelerate the implementation of the summit's results in the middle section; In 2027, with the preparation for the 10th Ministerial Conference as the driving force, we will promote the comprehensive implementation of the summit results... The "golden signboard" of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation will become brighter and brighter, and China Africa cooperation will continue to take new steps towards modernization.

If you have good relationships, you can be friends for thousands of miles. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa, jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, is in line with historical justice, the trend of the times, and the common aspirations of the 2.8 billion people in China and Africa. China and Africa, working together in the same direction, will surely gather tremendous strength, ignite the modernization wave of the "Global South", and write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind.