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Zhao Lijian Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
It will be the 32nd consecutive time for Chinese foreign ministers to start their year-round overseas visit with a trip to Africa.
Since 1991, Africa has been the destination for Chinese foreign ministers’ first overseas visit, heralding a new year of foreign exchanges. This fine tradition of China’s diplomacy has been going on for 31 years rain or shine.
This fully demonstrates the priority China gives to China-Africa relations, the growing profound friendship between China and Africa, and China’s firm support for Africa’s seeking strength through unity, development and revitalisation.
This has been applauded by our African friends and the rest of the international community.
China is the largest developing country, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries.
As fellow developing countries, China and African countries are faced with the common task of safeguarding sovereignty, opposing hegemony and achieving development.
We are not only comrades-in-arms in the fight against hegemonism, but also partners in pursuit of development and revitalisation, and important forces defending international fairness and justice.
Neither the evolving international landscape nor the raging COVID-19 can weaken the will and determination of China and Africa to maintain friendly exchanges, enhance strategic communication and render each other firm support or diminish China’s attention and support to Africa. This is integral to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
The eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference was successfully held in Senegal a month ago.
President Xi Jinping summarised and crystallised the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation at the meeting, put forward four proposals on building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and announced nine programs of practical cooperation between China and Africa, which have been highly commended by African friends and stood as a new milestone in China-Africa relations.
After chairing the conference in person, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay another visit to Africa to uphold the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation put forward by President Xi, carry forward the fine diplomatic tradition, advance the implementation of the meeting outcomes including the nine programs, work for early harvest to improve Chinese and African people’s welfare, and inject new impetus into building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
Online Reporter