By Edith Mutethya, Xing Yi and Jan Yumul
New action plan proposed by the president reflects deepening China-Africa co-operation
International observers have lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech delivered on September 5 at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, saying that it was a demonstration of a renewed impetus in the deepening relationship between China and Africa.
Xi said in the speech that China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernisation will set off a wave of modernisation in the Global South and open a new chapter in the drive for a community with a shared future for mankind.
He proposed that bilateral relations between China and all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China be elevated to the level of strategic relations.
He also proposed that the overall characterisation of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, highly commended China-Africa relations. “The China-Africa partnership is a pillar of South-South co-operation,” he said on social media. “Today in Beijing, I stressed the UN’s commitment for this co-operation and the deep reforms the global financial architecture needs to ensure development leaves no one behind.”
Deniz Istikbal, a researcher at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research in Turkiye, said Xi’s speech reflects a deepening and evolving China-Africa relationship.
“By proposing that China’s relations with African countries be elevated to strategic relations and positioning it as an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, China is emphasising a long-term, resilient and multifaceted relationship,” Istikbal said.
He said President Xi’s modernisation proposals indicate China’s intention to solidify its role as a major partner for Africa in global affairs, while deepening the relationship as one built on mutual respect, trust and long-term collaboration.
“The summit highlighted the strategic importance that China places on its relationship with Africa, which is distinct from the Western approach,” he said.
Dennis Munene, executive director of the China-Africa Centre at the Africa Policy Institute in Kenya, said Xi’s remarks exemplified the true principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.
“Delivered with a focus on mutual respect and shared benefits, Xi’s speech reignited the dream of an African renaissance,” he said.
To ensure that Africa experiences true modernisation, Munene said President Xi unveiled 10 partnership action plans that will revolutionise bilateral and multilateral China-Africa co-operation.
XN Iraki, an associate professor at the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, said the speech was very focused on the key issues. He said the statements in Xi’s speech, such as “modernisation is an inalienable right” and “well-balanced material and spiritual advancement is a lofty objective of modernisation” show that China understands Africa.
Carlos Lopes, a professor at the University of Cape Town’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, said the significance of Xi’s speech lies in its ability to consolidate Sino-African interests in defence of multilateralism. He said the focus on the green transition, digital advancement and technological transformation, signals a strategic shift towards sustainable and modern growth paths.
Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club and the CEO of London Export Corporation, said his company sees the future plans as stated in President Xi’s speech as the stimulus for fresh growth and innovation, for addressing global poverty and producing sustainable development.