Themed "Jointly Promoting Modernization, Building a High-Level China-Africa Community of Shared Future", the FOCAC - the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years - will highlight the common goal of China and African countries in implementing modernization, Xinhua reported.
To support Africa in accelerating its modernization , China has put forward plans and initiatives focusing on three main areas: industrialization , agricultural modernization, and human resource development. These three areas were announced by China at the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in South Africa in August 2023.
Under the Africa Industrialization Support Initiative, China pledges to help Africa expand its manufacturing sector, achieve industrialization and diversify its economy by channeling more resources, investment and finance into industrialization programs.
One of the most visible examples is the Belt and Road Initiative, which has seen significant investments in African infrastructure, such as roads, railways, ports and power plants.
Over the past quarter century, Chinese companies have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000km of railways, nearly 100,000km of highways, about 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports, and 66,000km of power transmission and distribution lines, all creating connecting arteries across the African continent.
Trade between China and Africa is expected to hit a record $282 billion by 2023, according to Chinese customs data. New Chinese investment in Africa surged 114% last year, with a focus on energy transition and projects to revive the economy, according to the Griffith Asia Institute at Australia's Griffith University.
Beyond infrastructure, China is also working with Africa to promote the continent’s green transition through investments in hydropower, wind and solar power, while addressing key challenges in agricultural technology and food security. China and Africa’s shared vision for the future is also reflected in joint efforts in areas such as health care and education.
China's growing engagement with Africa has raised concerns among some Western countries that Beijing could use "debt traps" as a geopolitical tool.
In the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China and Africa are addressing global challenges such as climate change, peacekeeping and sustainable development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a meeting with African leaders in Beijing ahead of the FOCAC conference, said that China and Africa will establish a new position in their relationship and draw up a new blueprint for the development of this relationship.
President Xi Jinping affirmed that China is willing to join African countries in seizing historic opportunities, enhancing strategic trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, and promoting the “Global South” countries to seek peace and development in a turbulent world.
President Xi Jinping is expected to attend and deliver an important speech at the FOCAC Conference on September 5.
