The first ever China Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) kicked off in Changsha, Central China’s Hunan Province on Thursday. The expo attracted exhibitors from 53 African countries to explore the huge potential for China-Africa cooperation. (Photos: Feng Qingyin/GT)
China values its traditional friendship with African countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday. The original aspiration of both sides – based on win-win cooperation and mutual development – will never be forgotten, and that the determination of building a closer community with a shared future will never change over time, regardless how things change in the international sphere, or how individual power interferes the ties, Xi stressed.
President Xi made the remarks during his meeting with leaders from the African continent and the United Nations (UN) on the sidelines of the 14th Group of 20 (G20) summit in Osaka, Japan.
The Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last September has opened up a new era for China-Africa relationship, and China vows to further the ties, added Xi.
Be forerunners of win-win development
President Xi expressed his hope to bring more solid benefits to people from both China and Africa by fully implementing the follow-up actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, which was held last September.
Both sides need to seek greater complementarity between China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation and Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), the development strategies of African countries and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, he added.
China will stick to its promise and support the development of Africa, Xi said.
Be the pioneers of open cooperation
President Xi also pointed out that cooperation with Africa should be under the will of the African countries. That is, the interest of Africa should be well protected, and any kind of "me-first" actions are not welcomed when it comes to cooperation.
China vows to work with the UN and assists the African countries in battling global challenges. He added that China, the UN, and other international partners will seek more collaboration in Africa based on the will of African countries.
Be firm supporters of multilateralism
President Xi has called for the respect for civilization diversification, and for more contributions to be made in protecting the international order.
Any kind of unilateralism, protectionism and bullying behaviors should be abstained, he said, adding that the appropriate demand and rights of developing countries, specifically African countries, should be well taken care of.
Closer China-Africa ties
President Xi hopes to strengthen strategic communication and enhance practical cooperation with African countries and the UN so as to build a new type of international relationship featuring mutual respect, objectivity and win-win cooperation.
The leaders of the African countries who participated the meeting echoed Xi's vision. The practical cooperation between the two sides has responded well to their actual demand, they said.
They spoke highly of China's long-term contributions to the development of the African continent, and appreciated the fact that China has never interfered their internal affairs.
They also vowed to work with China and push for a free trade system that features multilateralism.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also agreed that China has played a vital role in promoting the development of African countries. The UN will fully support and participate in the upcoming cooperation between China and Africa, he said.
At a later press conference, Dai Bing, director general of the Department of African Affairs, China's Foreign Ministry, reiterated President Xi's statement that supporting the development of African countries is a shared responsibility for the international community.
Dai added Africa should be put in the number one position when it comes to cooperation and their will should be fully respected.
