In keeping with a 35-year-long unbroken tradition, where China’s foreign minister’s first official visit at the beginning of a new year is to countries on the African continent, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has paid a visit to Africa.
The week-long tour began on January 6 in Namibia, located in the Southern Africa region, where Wang said China will always be the most trustworthy friend of African brothers and sisters, and always be the most reliable partner in the pursuit of development and revitalization for African countries. Demonstrating careful consideration for regional diversity while also focusing on large countries such as Nigeria and smaller countries such as Chad, Wang visited the Republic of the Congo in Central Africa, Chad at the crossroads of North and Central Africa, and Nigeria in West Africa.
As China is the world’s largest developing country and Africa is home to the largest number of developing countries, it is vital for the two partners to prioritize and strengthen their time-honored friendship. Chinese foreign ministers starting their year-round overseas visits with a trip to countries in Africa underscores the growing deep friendship between China and Africa. It also speaks to the continuity of China’s friendly cooperation with the continent, at a time when African countries are increasingly moving away from the West’s sphere of influence.
Looking back at the past, China and Africa should take the lead in correcting historical injustices, Wang said during an interview on Friday with Chinese media following his visits to Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria. The suffering experienced by African nations throughout history stems not only from colonialism but also from hegemonism and power politics, which are the greatest historical injustices Africa has encountered, Wang noted. As a good friend and partner of Africa, China will unwaveringly support African countries in redressing the historical injustices done to them, firmly oppose any external interference in Africa’s internal affairs, and advocate for special arrangements to address Africa’s concerns in the reform of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said.
The traditional New Year visit to Africa is not only a key highlight of China-Africa diplomacy, often setting the tone for year-long diplomatic engagements with the continent, it also emphasizes that China remains Africa’s most steadfast friend and partner.
Related Posts
China has placed significant emphasis on mutually beneficial partnerships. The Eastern nation sees economic growth as a central pillar for world peace and sustainable development. By placing more financial capital on its engagement with Africa rather than meddling in its domestic politics and internal affairs, China has had a greater impact on the continent compared to the West.
China is the most popular external partner on the African continent as it does not impose its will on the continent, attach political strings on assistance to the developing continent nor does it seek unilateral political gains from financial cooperation with Africa.
In September 2024, of the 54 countries in Africa, 53 attended the Beijing Summit and Ninth Ministerial Conference of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing. China pledged $50 billion in financial support to Africa over the next three years during the FOCAC summit. When asked about the plans for China and the Republic of the Congo, co-chairs of FOCAC, to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, Wang emphasized that China is ready to work with African countries to elevate the reputation of FOCAC and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
No country is too small for China’s friendship and investments, and there is now an even greater focus on strengthening diplomacy with poor vulnerable nations such as Chad and Equatorial Guinea, one of Africa’s smallest countries.
For China, Africa is not a “lost or forgotten continent” but the land of hope, development and dynamism. The 35-year long tradition is reassurance that despite significant changes in the international landscape, China’s support is unwavering, and remains accessible and committed to offering inspiration and much-needed assistance toward realizing a stronger and more developed Africa.
Source: global times.cn
