Interview: ‘FOCAC focusses on deepening China-Africa relationship’

CHINA has been very instrumental in some of the developmental projects in Zimbabwe, all that coming as the Asian giant country is an all-weather friend for the southern African nation.

NewsDay’s Julia Ndlela (NDW) speaks to the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy (SCE), who explains what the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation will mean for Zimbabwe, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to attend.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

NDW: What will this year’s agenda be for the forthcoming Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC)?

SCE: The 2024 Summit of FOCAC will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6 under the theme Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, together with leaders of other African countries and the chairperson of the African Union Commission, will attend the summit.

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On September 5, President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech.

During the summit, President Xi will host a welcoming banquet and related bilateral events for the leaders and representatives invited to the summit.

Besides, four high-level meetings will be held in parallel, covering the topics of governance, industrialisation and agricultural modernisation, peace and security, and high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The summit marks another grand gathering for a big China-African family.

It is also the largest diplomatic event China has hosted in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders.

NDW: What were the resolutions made on the last FOCAC?

SCE: From the “10 co-operation plans” of the 2015 Johannesburg Summit to the “eight major initiatives” of the 2018 Beijing Summit and the “nine programmes” of the 8th Ministerial Conference held in Senegal in 2021, FOCAC has made sure that its proposals are anchored on quantifiable goals and implementation progress records and its actions embody the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests that China upholds in relations with Africa.

The “nine programmes” that were implemented from 2022 to 2024 cover the following areas: medical and health, poverty reduction and agricultural development, trade, investment, digital innovation, green development, capacity building, cultural and people-to-people exchange and peace and security.

In the past three years, China-Africa co-operation in various areas has enjoyed all-round development, which is sincerely welcomed by African countries and people.

China-Africa pragmatic co-operation is poised to hit another all-time high during the forthcoming 2024 FOCAC Summit.

NDW: How do you think Zimbabwe will benefit from the forthcoming FOCAC Summit?

SCE: The upcoming 2024 FOCAC Summit is not merely a meeting, but a reaffirmation of a shared commitment to progress and prosperity for China and African countries including Zimbabwe.

China is a staunch supporter of Zimbabwe in its path to the realisation of Vision 2030.

Although the outcomes of the summit remain to be seen, China’s consistent support for Zimbabwe will never change.

As the FOCAC-enabled actions, together with the BRI and the three Global Initiatives — (the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative) — proposed by President Xi, are highly aligned with Agenda 2063 and Vision 2030, China will work closely with Zimbabwe to create a China-Africa community of shared future in the new era, and continue to support Zimbabwe in socioeconomic development and livelihood improvement.

Besides, President Mnangagwa will pay a State visit to China. This is another historic event for our bilateral relations.

I believe the State visit of His Excellency will write a new chapter of the China-Zimbabwe Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Co-operation.

With no doubt, this visit will forge a fresh start for our bilateral pragmatic co-operation in various sectors.

NDW: From 2000 to date, what have been the notable achievements of FOCAC in both China and Africa?

SCE: The journey of FOCAC over the past 24 years exemplifies the strength and potential of collective effort and mutual co-operation between China and Africa.

First, the FOCAC has bolstered high-level interactions and political trust between China and Africa. Both China and Africa belong to the Global South.

We invariably stand in solidarity with fellow developing countries through thick and thin and are committed to supporting each other on issues of our core interests and major concerns.

China respects African countries’ political and economic choices based on their own national conditions and honour the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of African countries including Zimbabwe.

China also opposes all illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe and will take concrete steps to support the country’s development and its people’s well-being.

Likewise, our African brothers always showcase their firm support for China’s efforts to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty, security and development interests.

Second, the FOCAC has produced fruitful results in practical co-operation. Modernisation is a common pursuit of China and Africa.

From 2000 to 2020, China supported African countries build more than 13 000km of roads and railway and more than 80 large-scale power facilities, and funded over 130 medical facilities, 45 sports venues and over 170 schools.

Besides, China has been the largest investor in Africa for many years. By the end of 2022, China’s direct investment in Africa exceeded US$40 billion. China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

In 2023, China-Africa trade volume reached a record high of US$282,1 billion.

Agricultural products imported from Africa have become a bright spot in growth. In 2023, China’s imports of nuts, vegetables, flowers and fruits from Africa increased by 130%, 32%, 14% and 7% year-on-year, respectively.

China also highlights the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area and supports Africa in strengthening trade integration.

We give continuous support to African countries in promoting African products through platforms including the China International Import Expo and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and welcome African countries making better use of “green lanes” for African agricultural exports to China.

For example, the Zimbabwe citrus has come into the Chinese market, and the first batch was sold out in only one week.

Third, the FOCAC has made people-to-people ties stronger. Mutual learning and people-to-people exchanges and co-operation play an important role in China-Africa friendship.

China has unreservedly shared its technologies, management expertise, development theories and practices with our African partners and friends.

China has strengthened co-operation with Africa in fields such as poverty reduction, health, education, science and technology, environmental protection, climate change and exchanges, among young people.

In the past 20 years, China has trained more than 160 000 African talents. Last year, President Xi put forward the Plan for China-Africa Co-operation on Talent Development last year, which will put huge impetus for the economic rejuvenation of Africa.

NDW: China has been pledging financial support (for example in 2018 and 2015, it pledged US$60 billion to Africa to help with infrastructure), are there any records of any notable infrastructure projects that were done that China oversaw under the fund? If so, please state.

SCE: The excellent bilateral relationship between China and Zimbabwe is taken as a benchmark of China-Africa friendship and a model of South-South Co-operation.

Under the framework of the FOCAC, China-Zimbabwe pragmatic co-operation is fruitful in various areas, especially in infrastructure.

The pledged funds are used to implement the projects and the benefits are tangible. Let me give some examples.

China has supported the construction of well-known projects such as the New Parliament Building, the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse, the High-Performance Computing Centre Project.

The Victoria Falls International Airport upgrading project, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project, the Kariba South Power Station expansion project and the Hwange Power Station Unit 7 and 8 expansion project were also financed by the Chinese government.

The China-aid Phase III of NetOne’s mobile broadband upgrade project is progressing smoothly, improving the quality of mobile communications and network services in Zimbabwe.

China has completed the 1 000 boreholes drilling project, providing easy access to clean water and agricultural irrigation for about 400 000 people to improve the local agricultural development and their livelihoods.