Strategic priorities | Saigon Liberation Newspaper

Today, September 4th, the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC 2024) summit is taking place in Beijing, China.

This is the largest diplomatic event with the most foreign leaders in attendance that China has organized in recent years. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend and deliver a key speech at the opening ceremony of the conference.

FOCAC 2024 revolves around the themes of “Governance and National Development,” “Industrialization and Modernization of Agriculture ,” “Peace and Security,” and “Jointly Building a High-Quality Belt and Road Initiative.” These major themes reflect the shared concerns and expectations of China and Africa regarding modernization and development, and are also key directions for building China-Africa cooperation in the new era, aiming to create stronger momentum for building a high-level China-Africa community of shared future.

Following a lull caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, China's flagship economic cooperation program has revived, with Africa as a key focus. Chinese leaders have pledged to undertake new construction projects and boost bilateral trade to support the modernization of the continent and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

According to the Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University in Australia, new Chinese investment in Africa increased by 114% last year, focusing primarily on minerals essential for the global energy transition and plans to revive the economy.

According to data from Chinese Customs, bilateral trade reached a record $282 billion in 2023, but at the same time, the value of African exports to China decreased by 7%, mainly due to falling oil prices.

Professor Tong Wei, from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, believes that through FOCAC, the friendship between China and Africa will deepen. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also affirmed that China considers Africa a top priority in its foreign policy. China is ready to pursue greater achievements in various fields through cooperation with the African Union and elevate the China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level.

THANH HANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/uu-tien-chien-strateg-post757058.html