China is celebrating the significant strides made under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa, highlighting collaborative efforts that have transformed infrastructure and connectivity across the continent. At a recent press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith that have guided China-Africa cooperation through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Lin Jian detailed the impressive achievements, including the construction and upgrading of nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges, and close to 100 ports. Notable projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi railway, Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, and the Benguela railway have significantly enhanced transportation efficiency between coastal and inland regions. The Kribi Deep Seaport in Cameroon, capable of handling vessels with over 10,000 tonnes of cargo, has opened new development opportunities for landlocked countries.
In the telecommunications sector, Chinese companies have built more than half of Africa’s wireless sites and high-speed mobile broadband networks, providing services to over 900 million people. With 52 African countries and the African Union Commission signing Belt and Road cooperation agreements, China is committed to helping Africa overcome development challenges.
Looking ahead, China aims to deepen its partnership with Africa by aligning the BRI with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and individual countries' development strategies. This synergy is expected to propel China-Africa connectivity into a fast lane, fostering win-win cooperation and shared growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
