China strengthens strategic cooperation with Africa
In his speech at the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Africa in its development. Through the Belt and Road Initiative and in synergy with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, China is committed to strengthening dialogue and communication with Africa at all levels.
As part of this cooperation, China will support African integration institutions such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the African Union Broadcasting, establishing cooperation mechanisms with these entities.
More concretely, China proposes three priority areas that will strengthen cooperation with Africa:
1. The Initiative for Supporting Industrialization in Africa: China will mobilize resources from its cooperation with Africa and Chinese enterprises to support the development of the manufacturing sector in Africa. The objective is to promote the industrialization and economic diversification of the continent.
2. The African Agriculture Modernization Assistance Program: China will support Africa in expanding its cereal cultivation and encourage Chinese investment in the agricultural sector. There will also be enhanced cooperation on agricultural technologies, particularly in the area of seeds, to promote the transformation of African agriculture.
3. China-Africa Talent Development Cooperation Plan: China pledges to train 500 high-performing African vocational school principals and teachers every year, as well as 10,000 Chinese-speaking talents with professional skills. In addition, China plans to invite 20,000 government officials and technical professionals from African countries to capacity-building seminars and forums.
This strengthened cooperation between China and Africa aims to support industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development in Africa, thereby contributing to the emergence of a more diversified and resilient economy on the continent.
President Xi Jinping also announced that the next conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be held in China in 2024, providing a new opportunity for dialogue and reflection on future development between China and Africa