In November the eighth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) ministerial conference was held in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting adopted the four outcome documents including the Dakar Declaration. In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the launch of nine programs for China-Africa cooperation.

The conference was definitely of great significance for growing the two partners’ traditional friendship, cementing their solidarity and cooperation, and building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. As a follow up to this meeting, FOCAC held a Coordinators’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Eighth Ministerial Conference on August 18 aimed at evaluating what has been achieved so far.

China and Africa have overcome some daunting global challenges, and have achieved some milestones envisaged during the ministerial conference.  One, the duo has safeguarded international fairness and justice. In the face of the various forms of hegemonic and bullying practices, China and Africa have stood closely to each other. China and Africa have become a pillar in defending the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, upholding the purposes of the United Nations Charter, and advocating multilateralism and international fairness and justice.

Secondly, the two partners have kept their focus on development cooperation and have pushed forward cooperation on infrastructure, and completed several major projects since the Dakar Conference. Over three billion has been delivered out of the 10 billion US dollars in credit pledged to African financial institutions. Nearly 2.5 billion US dollars of loans were channeled to Africa’s priority programmes. Chinese companies have also invested 2.17 billion US dollars in Africa.

Third, China and Africa have tackled the global food crisis. This year China has signed exchange of letters with 12 African countries on zero tariff for 98 percent of their export items to China. The latter has provided emergency food assistance to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea. More African agricultural produce has reached the Chinese market through the “green lanes”.

Fourth, the pair have built a strong shield against COVID-19. China has provided 189 million doses of vaccines to 27 African countries. Joint production of vaccines in Africa now has an annual capacity of about 400 million doses. China has made 332 appointments of medical personnel to Africa. Further, about 1,000 Chinese medical experts in Africa have provided services on 250,000 clinical cases, conducted more than 30,000 operations, treated patients in 4,500 critical cases, and trained 3,600 participants from the local medical and healthcare community.

Fifth, China and Africa have advanced resilient and sustainable development by expanding cooperation on clean energy sources including solar and wind. A number of key projects have entered into operation and fruitful discussions held on building Africa’s Great Green Wall. They are also carrying out South-South cooperation in addressing climate change, are building a low-carbon demonstration zones and helped enhance capacity for disaster preparedness and relief.

Sixth, China and Africa have enhanced regional peace and stability. China has put forward the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, appointed its Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, and supported countries in the region in holding the Horn of Africa Peace Conference. China has continued to provide military aid to countries in Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, and helped boost the capacity of countries in the region for preserving peace and stability with their own strength.

In a joint statement of the Coordinators’ Meeting, China and Africa reaffirmed their strong commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the UN-centered international system, including the primary responsibility of the UN Security Council for maintaining international peace and security.

The two sides also stressed the need for an international order underpinned by international law, to practicing true multilateralism, advancing democracy in international relations and upholding equality among all countries regardless of their size, strength and wealth.

They also pledged to continue fighting COVID-19 with solidarity, deepen practical cooperation, promote green development, uphold equity and justice, and synergise China-Africa high quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development Initiative with AU’s Agenda 2063 and national development strategies of African countries. China also firmly supports Africa’s in-depth participation in the activities of the Group of 20, the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa grouping, among other platforms, in playing a greater role in global governance and international affairs.

Later this year, the Communist Party of China will hold its 20th National Congress, thus ushering in a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the African Union (AU), and Africa will embrace new development opportunities. At this new historical starting point, China and Africa need to stand even closer with each other, press ahead toward common development and rejuvenation, and truly build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Fruitful China-Africa cooperation will add fresh impetus to global development, generate positive energy for world stability, and bring new hopes to people around the world. The friendship will continue to be the backbone in South-South cooperation and a fine example in international relations.