The Chinese capital city of Beijing is hosting the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) from September 4 to 6. For 3 days, African and Chinese leaders focus on the theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” FOCAC, friendly and pragmatic, is important in promoting the traditional friendship between China and Africa, consolidating solidarity and cooperation, and building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized, "Although separated by a long distance, good friends always feel close." The friendship is constantly being strengthened and the cooperation has yielded fruitful results. In 2000, at the joint initiative of China and Africa, FOCAC was created. This opened a new chapter in the collective dialogue and shared development between China and Africa. Over the past 24 years, FOCAC has come a long way. The number of member countries is growing, its mechanism is constantly being perfected, and China-Africa relations of friendship and cooperation are progressing rapidly and comprehensively.

In the face of all kinds of hegemonic acts and intimidation, China and Africa stood side by side. Through joint and coordinated efforts, China and Africa have become pillars of safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguarding international multilateralism, fairness and justice.

FOCAC, by promoting the establishment of a China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, has already become the standard-bearer of China-Africa cooperation. This is welcomed by the Chinese-African people and highly appreciated by the international community. Successful China-Africa cooperation means constantly injecting new momentum into global development, constantly bringing positive energy to global stability, and constantly giving new hope to the people of the world. We are convinced that China-Africa friendship will withstand hardship and turbulence and will always be a pillar of South-South cooperation and a fine example of international relations. At the beginning of a new historical era, FOCAC will certainly be successful, and China and African countries can take this opportunity to strengthen their traditional friendship and promote fruitful cooperation.

This article is translated from an original article on Financial Afrik:

https://www.financialafrik.com/2024/09/06/tribune-renforcer-lamitie-sino-africaine-dans-un-monde-en-pleine-mutation/