China, Africa ties entering a new stage, officials say

Officials from China and African countries hailed the just-concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as a milestone, saying that a raft of pragmatic measures put forward at the event would deepen cooperation and advance the modernization of China and the continent.

"The summit opens a new chapter in the relationship between Africa and China. We have already cooperated with each other in different areas and are very good friends. But this time we can see that the two sides have shown their commitments to holding hands to work together toward the modernization," said Mozambique's Ambassador to China Maria Gustava.

Gustava deemed the results of the summit as "very positive", appreciating China for the 10 partnership actions which she believed would boost the development of African countries across the board.

She also lauded China for facilitating people-to-people exchanges. "We are building a long-term relationship and the youth could carry on this beautiful and fruitful relationship between two sides."

"The 10 partnership actions will definitely enhance cooperation between African countries and China. I believe Africa will receive good results from this cooperation," Angola's Ambassador to China Joao Salvador dos Santos Neto said.

China promotes the building of an open and inclusive world economy and seeks win-win cooperation and shared benefits, which is not only an important part of modernization of the Global South, but also a significant driving force and great opportunity for the modernization of the Global South, said Du Xiaohui, director general of the Department of African Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry.

China decided to give all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with it, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, making it the first major developing country and the first major economy to take such a step.

"The move reflects the Chinese government's commitment to promoting liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and its firm determination to address development imbalances," Du said.

"It is hoped that major world economies will also demonstrate their responsibilities and take actions to deliver benefits to Africa," he added.

According to Du, China will maintain communication with African countries on the progress of the results of the summit via mechanisms such as the meeting of Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the FOCAC.

Li Ming, acting director of the Department of International Cooperation of China International Development Cooperation Agency, said China would work with Africa to strengthen strategic alignment and deepen development cooperation to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.