bangladeshi media: "china-africa relations are about to open a new chapter"
2024-09-02
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an article published on september 1 in bangladesh's new times newspaper, titled: china-africa cooperation opens a new chapter as the 2024 forum on china-africa cooperation (focac) summit approaches, a new chapter in china-africa relations is about to begin. the all-important summit will be held in beijing from september 4 to 6, and the china-africa comprehensive strategic partnership is expected to be further deepened at the summit. for china, the summit is more than just a diplomatic event. it is a commitment to a long-term relationship that promotes shared prosperity and addresses global challenges.
observers on the continent see the summit as a critical opportunity to address major issues, especially africa's infrastructure funding gap, which the african development bank estimates is between $130 billion and $170 billion per year. china, africa's largest trading partner, sees the partnership as vital not only for mutual benefit but also for broader sustainable development goals.
the summit is likely to prioritize cooperation in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and technology. cooperation in these areas can drive growth and innovation. african countries are eagerly awaiting concrete commitments and actionable plans that can be translated into real progress. the outcome of this summit is likely to shape the trajectory of china-africa relations in the coming years.
china’s development over the past 70 years, characterized by innovation and reform, has not gone unnoticed in africa. this model is increasingly resonating with countries in the “global south”, which see in china’s experience a roadmap for their own development. for china, the forum is more than just a diplomatic event, it is a strategic partnership organization that embodies the desire for common progress. by promoting innovation and adapting development strategies to specific national conditions, this partnership provides a vision for a more interconnected and prosperous future.
china’s growing confidence on the global stage is closely tied to its foreign policy goals, especially its goal of strengthening ties with the “global south”. the forum on china-africa cooperation is an important part of this effort. the forum was established with the goal of elevating the traditional ties between africa and china to a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership. since its inception, the forum has played an important role in implementing actions and has brought tangible benefits to both regions.
in his speech at the 8th focac ministerial conference in 2021, chinese president xi jinping outlined a new blueprint for china-africa relations that resonated strongly with african leaders and people. his speech revealed a grand blueprint for future cooperation and demonstrated china's unwavering commitment to strengthening china-africa relations. the 8th focac ministerial conference produced a strong economic cooperation plan that adapts to the changing dynamics of the global economy. at the heart of this plan is the china-africa cooperation vision 2035. the vision prioritizes health, poverty reduction, agriculture, trade, digital cooperation, green development, cultural exchanges, and peace and security.
significant progress has been made in these areas since 2021 and is expected to continue to maintain good momentum. the china-africa cooperation vision 2035 plan not only highlights china's commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership, but also reflects china's broader strategy to address global economic changes while promoting sustainable development.
since the belt and road initiative was proposed in 2013, africa has benefited greatly. china's strategy focuses on developing infrastructure, injecting capital and using skilled labor to remove growth barriers in african countries. its impact is unquestionable. since 2013, china has promoted the construction of more than 6,000 kilometers of railways, more than 6,000 kilometers of roads and nearly 20 ports in africa.
this year's summit takes place in a challenging global environment, with a growing pushback against china by a coalition led by the united states. at the same time, chinese companies have a significant influence on africa's energy sector, with more than 25 gw of installed power generation capacity, accounting for more than 15% of sub-saharan africa's total installed capacity.
the 2024 focac summit, themed "joining hands to promote modernization and build a high-level china-africa community with a shared future", will deepen these ties. such engagement with africa fits into china's broader geopolitical ambitions and has the potential to usher in a new era of cooperation. if implemented effectively, the focac will promote sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships and consolidate china's strategic position on the global stage. (author: imran khalid, translated by qiao heng)
