By Kassahun Chanie
The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is an important milestone in the history of China-Africa relations to further heighten into a higher level following the endeavours of China-Africa, Chinese Ambassador to the African Union & Representative to the UNECA Hu Changchun (Amb.) underscored.
The summit underway this September, Under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” brought together leaders from 53 African countries which have diplomatic relations with China and Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
In his address to participants, Ambassador Changchun, took stock of the journey of China-Africa friendship, commending the progress made in implementing the outcomes of FOCAC, and reached a clear consensus on strengthening cooperation across the board.
“As both developing countries and the Global South, China and African countries have been fighting shoulder to shoulder against imperialism, colonialism, and hegemonism, and advancing hand in hand along the path of development, revitalization, and modernization, it is a must to stand in unison. Our deep brotherly friendship has been forged during this process,” he said.
After Xi Jinping became the President of China, he set foot in Africa on his first foreign visit; he put forward the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China’s Africa policy, which pressed the “acceleration button” for developing China-Africa relations, the Ambassador Hu Changchun noted.
Furthering the matter, the summit has also drawn up the third new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation going forward in the African continent to achieve the goal of modernization.
It was noted that nearly 6,000 Chinese and foreign guests, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations as a special guest and representatives from more than 30 international and African regional organizations, attended the great event. //