A section of the Chinese-built EastWest Highway in El Tarf Province, Algeria (XINHUA)

Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and upholding justice while pursuing shared interests in developing China’s relations with Africa put forth by Chinese President Xi Jinping, China-Africa relations grew at an accelerated pace in 2023, and gained further momentum in building a stronger China-Africa community of shared future. 

It was a busy year for China-Africa cooperation. In April, the seventh China-Africa Youth Festival was held in Beijing. In May, the 12th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tank Forum was held in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. In November, the China-aided state-of-the-art reference laboratory was inaugurated inside the premises of the Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and in the same month, the Second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture was held in Sanya, Hainan Province. 

In August 2023, President Xi attended the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, which enhanced the traditional friendship between China and Africa, built new consensus on South-South cooperation and added positive energy to peace and development. While in the country, President Xi co-chaired with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue. The BRICS Summit made a decision to invite Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran and Ethiopia to join the group. 

In addition, China boosted its support to the African Union (AU) in playing a bigger role in global governance. In August 2023, at the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue, President Xi again stressed that China would work actively to support the AU’s full membership in the G20. In the following month, the G20 agreed to grant permanent membership to the AU. 

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in October 2023 in Beijing. A host of African leaders including President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the forum. African countries are active and important participants of the Belt and Road Initiative. Cooperation projects on roads, electricity, communications and ports have spread across Africa, enhancing their capacity for independent and sustainable development. 

Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of the continent’s own development goals, such as the AU Agenda 2063 and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and will continue to support Africa in improving its international standing. China will host the ninth FOCAC meeting in 2024. It is a major event in China-Africa cooperation where the two sides draw up new plans for development. It is believed that China and Africa will carry forward the traditional friendship, enhance solidarity and coordination, and bolster comprehensive cooperation.