A decoration for the 2024 Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is seen on display near the China National Convention Center in Beijing on August 30, 2024. This year's FOCAC will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Photo: VCG

In response to media questions about the highlights of China-Africa cooperation this year and the outlook for China-Africa relations in the coming year, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that China-Africa relations achieved fruitful results in 2024 despite a turbulent international landscape.

Mao said that we celebrated a historic gathering of the China-Africa friendship family, with nearly 6,000 guests, including leaders from all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, the UN Secretary-General, and other international dignitaries, convening in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Mao noted we witnessed a major strengthening in China-Africa friendly relations, with China's bilateral ties with all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China being upgraded to the level of strategic partnerships. As a result, China-Africa relations were upgraded to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

We observed significant growth of China-Africa cooperation, as the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC announced the six key propositions and the 10 partnership actions for jointly advancing modernization between China and Africa. A number of landmark projects and "small but beautiful" projects have been implemented and are thriving across Africa, the spokesperson said.

We witnessed the solidarity of the Global South, with China and Africa as key members in the collective rise of the Global South. Through the Beijing Declaration, the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC voiced unified opposition to hegemonism, bloc confrontations, and the practices of "decoupling" and "disrupting supply chains," the spokesperson said.

Looking ahead to 2025, China is dedicated to implementing the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC's outcomes and the important consensus reached by China and African leaders. Together with African countries, we will strengthen policy and development strategy alignment, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, foster cultural exchanges, and continue to firmly support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns. We will enrich the connotation of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, jointly safeguarding the common interests of the Global South and promoting international fairness and justice, thus contributing to global peace and development, Mao said on Tuesday.

Global Times