Politics
20:39, 03-Sep-2018
World leaders applaud Xi's speech at FOCAC
Updated
20:25, 06-Sep-2018
["china"]
Share
Copied
19:14
World leaders including the United Nations secretary-general, African Union commission chairman and African countries presidents applauded China's Africa policy as President Xi Jinping announced a series of collaboration plans including 60 billion US dollars of financing to Africa.
They are convening in the Chinese capital city of Beijing for the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
In a keynote speech delivered at the opening of the FOCAC on Monday, Xi announced eight initiatives with African countries for the years to come, such as infrastructure, trade, investment, green growth, health care and education.
Read more:
To ensure these schemes are implemented, Xi said China will provide 60 billion US dollars of fund to Africa, in forms of government assistance, investment and financing.
World leaders have reacted positively after Xi's announcement.
Guterres: China-Africa collaboration benefits whole world
07:53
Speaking after Xi at FOCAC gathering, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Sino-African collaboration matters to the world.
The win-win cooperation is "necessary for the future we want," Guterres said, adding that the UN will continue to support China-Africa partnership, and more broadly, South-South cooperation, so that all nations in Africa and beyond may enjoy sustainable and inclusive development.
He noted that the South-South cooperation is fundamental for fair globalization, and this summit will contribute to the preparation of the UN conference on South-South cooperation next year.
Moussa Faki: More cooperation needed between AU and China
09:58
African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat praised Xi's announcement in supporting Africa's growth and development, calling on more interaction and cooperation between the two sides.
Faki said the eight initiatives and 60 billion US dollars of assistance the Chinese leader announced "are concrete proofs of China's support to Africa."
"We need to further create synergy between the AU's Agenda 2063 and the Belt and Road Initiative. The AU welcomes the Belt and Road Initiative," said Faki.
Ramaphosa: FOCAC is not new colonialism
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also spoke at Monday's summit, dismissed the claims of Chinese colonialism in Africa. He said the relationship forged under the FOCAC framework is premised on the fundamental and inalienable right of the African people to determine their own future.
He said his government is pleased that President Xi and the Chinese government are open to the trade imbalance between Africa and China, and are endeavoring to reach a win-win outcome that benefits people from both sides.
The Belt and Road Initiative will facilitate trade between Africa and China, and it will encourage Africa's infrastructure building.