Liu Yuxi (center), special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs, speaks during a press briefing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Sept. 3, 2024. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]

China will remain a steadfast partner in Africa's modernization journey, said Liu Yuxi, special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs, during a press briefing on Tuesday for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Highlighting the opportunities that China's modernization will bring to African nations, Liu emphasized that both sides will work together to explore modernization paths that align with their unique historical, cultural and developmental contexts. He added that China and Africa will continue to expand exchanges at both national and local levels, deepening cooperation in areas such as governance, modernization and poverty reduction.

The FOCAC Summit from Sept. 4-6, one of China's largest major diplomatic events in recent years, is expected to produce a declaration and action plan that will further strengthen the China-Africa partnership. These documents, Liu stressed, will uphold the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy. 

Bilateral trade between China and Africa reached a historic high of $282 billion last year, while China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and is its largest export destination. Moreover, China's stock of investment in Africa has reached $400 billion, showcasing the resilience and vitality of China-Africa cooperation against a challenging economic backdrop.

"China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has become a highlight in international development cooperation," Liu said.

He also noted the significant achievements in bilateral cooperation. For instance, China assisted in the construction of the tallest building in Africa, the 385-meter-high Iconic Tower, while the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is nearing completion. The new national stadium built in Cote d'Ivoire with help from China successfully hosted the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing the charm of African football to a global audience. Meanwhile, African products like coffee, essential oils, citrus fruits and avocados are being imported into China.

Under the framework of the FOCAC, China and Africa have deepened exchanges in areas such as poverty reduction, education, health, science and technology, environmental protection, youth and women's cooperation. Meanwhile, important platforms for people-to-people exchanges have also been established, including the China-Africa Think Tank Forum and the China-Africa Youth Festival.

Regarding the upcoming three-day summit, Liu said that it is a meeting that builds on past achievements while innovating for the future, reviewing and summarizing past successes and charting a new blueprint for future economic and trade relations. Leaders from both sides are expected to discuss major cooperation plans, enhance governance exchanges, and provide important guidance for the next phase of the FOCAC.

"I believe this summit will introduce more initiatives to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa, fostering greater enthusiasm and confidence among all stakeholders," Liu said.