Wang Yi

From September 4 to 6, 2024, a summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Beijing. This is a major diplomatic action vis-à-vis Africa and the wider developing world amidst accelerating global transformations unseen in a century, and a successful practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Hence the great significance and far-reaching impact of the summit.

The summit is the largest and highest-level diplomatic event hosted by China this year. Leaders of all the 53 African countries enjoying diplomatic relations with China attended the meeting, including 38 heads of state, nine heads of government, four deputy heads of state, and two representatives of presidents, together with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. The U.N. Secretary General, as a special guest, and representatives of more than 30 international and African regional organizations also participated in the summit, as did close to 6,000 Chinese and foreign guests. General Secretary Xi Jinping personally held more than 40 bilateral and multilateral events, including delivering a keynote speech at the summit’s opening ceremony. The summit also included four high-level meetings on national governance, industrialization and agricultural modernization, peace and security, and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation respectively, and a business conference attracting over 1,000 Chinese and African entrepreneurs.

Under the summit theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” Chinese and African leaders renewed traditional friendship, explored good practices of governance, and discussed plans of cooperation, reaching wide-ranging consensus and achieving fruitful results. The two sides unanimously adopted two important outcome documents with distinctive features of the times, namely the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era, and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027). We also elevated the collective characterization of China-Africa relations to a strategic level, i.e. that of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. The summit has received high attention from Africa and the rest of the world. The international community hailed early September as “China-Africa time” or a “Global South moment.” The world also praised the historic summit as a new monument in China-Africa relations and a new benchmark that drives cooperation of the Global South.

I. Affirming a new characterization of China-Africa relations for the new era

China and Africa enjoy a long history of friendly ties. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the two sides have firmly supported each other and fostered a profound friendship in fighting imperialism and colonialism, in striving for national liberation, and in pursuing development and rejuvenation. Looking back on the past seven decades of relations, the two sides have always followed the trend of history, kept abreast of the times, and continually explored shared interests and areas of growth for our cooperation, thus making sure that China-Africa relations grow from strength to strength. The proclamation of a new characterization of China-Africa relations for the new era is one of the core outcomes of the summit. In his keynote speech, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly proposed to elevate the bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic relations with China to the level of strategic relations, and to jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

The new characterization elevates the overall China-Africa cooperation to a new height in response to the new circumstances. China-Africa relations have been growing at a fast pace over the past 70 years, especially since the establishment of FOCAC 24 years ago. The characterization of the relations had already completed a “triple leap”—from the establishment of a new type of partnership at the first FOCAC Ministerial Meeting in 2000, to a new type of strategic partnership at the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2006, and then to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership at the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in 2015. During the summit this year, China established or upgraded strategic partnerships with 30 African countries, thus becoming a strategic partner of all the 53 African countries with whom it has diplomatic relations, and achieving yet another leap in the relations between the two sides. African leaders warmly welcomed the upgraded ties with China, and said they greatly cherish friendship with the Chinese people and firmly regard China as their preferred cooperation partner. As Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the African Co-chair of FOCAC, pointed out, the new characterization of ties and new measures for practical cooperation announced by the Chinese leader once again demonstrated China’s firm resolve to take its cooperation with Africa to new heights.

The new characterization reflects the firm will of China and Africa to jointly navigate the global transformation not seen in a century. Over the years, China and Africa, as natural allies in international affairs, have made important contributions to safeguarding the common interests and legitimate rights of the Global South. The current international situation is complex and challenging, and unilateralism and hegemonism are running rampant. The new characterization carries with it greater responsibility. With a more purposeful understanding of history, China and Africa are determined to stand closer together, and strengthen solidarity and coordination to jointly uphold international fairness and justice. During the summit, China and Africa aligned our strategic positions on the international situation and global governance. The two sides agreed to continue supporting each other firmly on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns; to jointly advance a community with a shared future for mankind and promote delivery of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI); to break the “small yard, high fences,” oppose “decoupling” and supply disruption, and resist unilateralism and protectionism; and to redress the historical injustices suffered by Africa and increase the representation and voice of developing countries, especially African countries, in the global governance system. These strategic understandings further underscore the fact that China and Africa always stand on the right side of history. Working together, we are defending the common interests of developing countries, and sending a powerful message that countries of the Global South are united and growing stronger.

The new characterization demonstrates the power of truth of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Since the beginning of the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has set forth a series of major principles guiding China’s foreign policy toward Africa. From sincerity, real benefit, affinity and good faith proposed during his first visit to Africa in 2013, to the announcement at this year’s FOCAC summit of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, China’s foreign policy toward Africa continues to develop in terms of philosophical height, theoretical depth, and practical strength. On the new journey in the new era, China has further strengthened the top-level design and strategic planning for its diplomatic work relating to Africa. It includes the goal of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, the principle of sincerity, real benefit, affinity and good faith, the commitment to pursuing both friendship and interests and putting friendship first, the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation characterized by sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness, high quality Belt and Road cooperation, institutional development of FOCAC, implementation of the GDI, GSI and GCI, and the six-point proposition on the joint endeavor to advance modernization (hereinafter referred to as the six-point proposition). Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China’s foreign policy toward Africa has become well-established, which is in keeping with the times both in theory and practice, and shows ever broader prospects.

II. Opening up new vistas for building a China-Africa community with a shared future

Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out on many occasions that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, and has devoted his personal efforts to it. Over the years, this vision has won heartfelt support and appreciation of African people across all sectors. The elevated relationship marks the first “all-weather” community with a shared future with an entire continent, which starts a new chapter in China-Africa friendship.

China and Africa, having shared weal and woe, are determined to be pioneers in building a community with a shared future. China and Africa, respectively the world’s largest developing country and the continent with the largest number of developing countries, share similar historical experiences, painful struggle in the past and common aspirations for development. Chinese and African people have stood firmly by each other’s side in their fight for national liberation and have worked shoulder to shoulder on the path toward modernization, forging a deep fraternal bond of breathing the same breath, sharing the same future and being of the same mind. A China-Africa community with a shared future is the first one proposed at a regional level, with the strongest base and most extensive coverage. Its elevation to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era signifies that no matter how the international landscape evolves, China and Africa will always remain each other’s most trustworthy true friends, and good partners on the path of development and revitalization.

China and Africa, joining hands with each other, are determined to be the doers in building a community with a shared future. “In conducting cooperation with Africa, we stress the importance of real results.” This is the solemn promise of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and a principle China consistently follows in dealing with African friends. China always focuses on the actual needs of African countries, taking Africa’s concerns as its own concerns and Africa’s priorities its own priorities. Since the inception of FOCAC, especially in the new era, China and Africa have aligned the Belt and Road Initiative and the GDI with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries, and have implemented the ten cooperation plans, eight major initiatives and nine programs under the framework of FOCAC, taking China-Africa practical cooperation to higher levels, greater depth and across wider areas. With a total of 253 articles,the Action Plan adopted at this year’s FOCAC summit has the richest and most substantive outcomes among all FOCAC summits. It fully demonstrates that China-Africa cooperation is result-oriented, pragmatic, inclusive and open, and constantly breaks new ground, and it provides a blueprint for deepening China-Africa cooperation in the coming years.

China and Africa, keeping abreast of the times, are determined to be the pacesetters in building a community with a shared future. Building a community with a shared future for mankind, a public good provided by China to the international community, points out the right direction for the development of the world and the future of mankind. In the new era, thanks to joint efforts, China and Africa have moved from “a closer China-Africa community with a shared future” to “a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future,” and to today’s historical new height of “an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.” It marks a major leap forward of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in the theory and practice of foreign relations, and sets a lofty goal for China and Africa to jointly pursue on the new journey. In a world of turbulence and transformation, the more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people joining hands through weal and woe will be the sturdiest ballast and the most powerful propeller for building a community with a shared future for mankind. China and Africa will play an underpinning role in promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

III. Forging new consensus in the joint endeavor for modernization

Realizing modernization is the abiding aspiration of the Chinese and African people, as well as the legitimate right of all developing countries including Africa. In this changing and turbulent world, how to realize modernization, and what kind of modernization should be pursued? These are questions of historical significance faced by the Global South. General Secretary Xi Jinping, from the strategic height of the future of humanity, made a six-point proposition that for the first time expounds on the joint endeavor of China and Africa to advance modernization, underscoring the need to advance modernization that is just and equitable, modernization that is open and win-win, modernization that puts people first, modernization featuring diversity and inclusiveness, modernization that is eco-friendly, and modernization underpinned by peace and security. The six-point proposition was commended and widely recognized by the African leaders present at the summit as highly relevant and inspiring, meeting the needs of the vast majority of developing countries, and pointing the way forward for global modernization.

The Chinese and African people have gained deeper understanding of the law of achieving modernization. The six points are mutually reinforcing and constitute an integral whole. Equity and justice is the prerequisite. China and Africa will strengthen experience sharing on state governance, and support each other in exploring modernization paths befitting their national conditions. Openness and win-win results is the pathway. China and Africa will deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and jointly implement the GDI. Putting people first is the intrinsic requirement. China and Africa will enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security of people in the course of modernization, and ensure that all will benefit from the process. Diversity and inclusiveness is the lofty objective. China and Africa will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and champion mutual respect and harmonious coexistence of different civilizations. Eco-friendliness is the hallmark. China and Africa will build “green growth engines,” and jointly pursue sustainable development. Peace and security is the fundamental guarantee. China and Africa will attach equal importance to development and security, and work together to uphold world peace and stability. These six points crystallize the Chinese and African people’s joint exploration of the law of modernization, and provide important answers to the questions humanity faces in pursuing modernization.

The Chinese and African people have become more proactive in shaping their own future. Developing countries, including China and those in Africa, tried out foreign models of modernization at different points in history and phases of their development, only to reap disorder, failures and even misery. Today, China is pursuing the Chinese path to modernization to build a great modern socialist country and realize national rejuvenation in all respects. Africa is embracing a new round of awakening, and actively exploring paths to modernization in African ways. An awakened mind will unleash forces that can transform the material world. The six-point proposition captures the profound thinking of both China and Africa on their own course of development and represent the aspirations of the Chinese and African people for a better future. As the tide of history surges ahead, China and Africa are more self-assured and confident in their pursuit of modernization. The two sides will be more proactive in building an open world economy, seeking win-win cooperation and shared benefit. The two sides will be more proactive in practicing true multilateralism, standing for equal rights, opportunities and rules for all. The two sides will be more proactive in acting on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, safeguarding a peaceful and secure regional and global environment.

China and Africa are providing greater leadership in the modernization of the Global South. The bright prospect of Chinese modernization has inspired many African countries. A growing number of them are looking East. To gain more insight into China’s success, many African leaders keep a copy of the books Xi Jinping: The Governance of China on their desk. The six-point proposition is consistent with the five characteristics and the essential requirements of Chinese modernization, and is highly compatible with the strong aspirations of the Global South to achieve modernization under the new conditions of current times. It transcends the dogmas Western modernization theories propagate, and fills the gap of theory of modernization for all mankind. It will have a profound, far-reaching impact on modernization processes in the Global South and across the world.     

IV. Drawing a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation in the new era

At the summit, General Secretary Xi Jinping announced that, over the next three years, China would work with Africa to take ten partnership actions for modernization in the areas of mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people exchanges, green development, and common security. These actions are designed in line with the shared aspirations and fundamental interests of the Chinese and African people, and anchored in the practical needs of both sides in their respective pursuit of modernization. They will provide new energy for China-Africa friendship and cooperation.

We will strengthen the exchange of ideas and join hands to broaden the paths toward modernization. China will make continuous efforts alongside Africa to enhance FOCAC, a “golden brand” of cooperation. In implementing the important consensus reached at this summit, we will jointly establish a platform for experience sharing on state governance. With the understanding of the fish-or-fishing analogy we will emphasize capacity building as well as material assistance. We will help African countries break the confinement of old models and explore paths toward modernization that suit their national conditions with enhanced confidence and inner-strength for self-driven development.

We will firmly support each other and join hands to defend international fairness and justice. China will work together with Africa to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, steadfastly support each other’s efforts to safeguard sovereignty and core interests, and oppose external interference, bullying acts and power politics. We will help Africa increase its own capacity for safeguarding peace and stability and take steps on the ground in Africa to implement the GSI, with a view to promoting both high-quality development and high-level security in Africa. We will work together with Africa to champion the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. We will work to increase Africa’s representation in the process of the reforms of the U.N. and the global governance system, stand up for Africa’s legitimate rights and interests, and make the global order fairer and more equitable.

We will deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and join hands to embrace common development. China will work with Africa to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, put the GDI into practice, and open itself wider to Africa on its own accord and unilaterally. This will make it easier for African countries to share in the opportunities presented by China’s mega-sized market. We will strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with Africa in such areas as agriculture, industry, manufacturing, personnel training, poverty reduction, employment and health to build stronger momentum for growth in China and Africa, empower development in China and Africa, and deliver more and tangible benefits to the peoples of China and Africa.

We will intensify people-to-people exchanges and join hands to build bridges of communication. China will work with Africa to build a dialogue partnership for the GCI. We will join hands to hold wonderful events for the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges, and expand friendly exchanges in such areas as vocational education, youth, women, children, science and education, culture, tourism, and the media. We will jointly uphold mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilizations, and open up new prospects for people-to-people exchanges, cultural interaction and mutual affinity between China and Africa.

With the vision and determination to scale new heights, China and Africa are marching on a promising journey hand in hand. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China. The successful Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has sounded the clarion call for China to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. In making new history, we will stay guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, primarily Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and continue to break new ground and press ahead in the greater endeavor of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. China and Africa are setting out to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. This will see the unfolding of new chapters on Africa in China’s major-country diplomacy and new melodies in the symphony of building a community with a shared future for mankind.