SEOUL, Sept. 5 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday praised the exemplary nature of China-Africa relations as African leaders gathered in Beijing for a significant summit aimed at enhancing partnerships. Xi and his spouse, Peng Liyuan, welcomed international guests with a banquet ahead of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
Xi emphasized that the China-Africa community's shared future is grounded in long-standing friendship, which continues to flourish despite global changes. The three-day summit, themed around advancing modernization and building a high-level China-Africa community, represents China's largest diplomatic event in recent years.
Highlighting FOCAC's achievements since its inception 24 years ago, Xi noted the development of infrastructure projects that have transformed lives across Africa. He also underscored the importance of China-Africa cooperation in strengthening the Global South's voice on international issues.
Xi expressed confidence that the combined efforts of 2.8 billion Chinese and African people would lead to significant progress in modernization, benefiting both regions and contributing to a global community with a shared future.
The day also saw Xi meeting with leaders from various African nations, including Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Libya, Gabon, and Cameroon. Notably, China elevated its relationship with Cameroon to a comprehensive strategic partnership and established a strategic partnership with Libya.
Additionally, Xi, along with the presidents of Tanzania and Zambia, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for revitalizing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway, further cementing infrastructure cooperation between the nations.
