On September 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), bringing together heads of state, government leaders, and representatives from more than 50 member countries. This landmark event also included the chairperson of the African Union Commission, the secretary-general of the United Nations, and leaders from several international organizations.
The summit set a new record in both the scale of diplomatic events hosted by China in recent years and the number of leaders in attendance. It marks a significant milestone in the history of China-Africa exchanges and collaboration among countries in the \"Global South.\"
FOCAC's 54 member states, encompassing China and 53 African countries, collectively cover an area of approximately 40 million square kilometers, representing about 30 percent of the world's total land area. With a combined population of around 2.9 billion, these nations account for approximately 36 percent of the global population.
The outcomes of the summit are poised to benefit more than one-third of the world's population, fostering shared opportunities for all participants. President Xi emphasized in his opening ceremony speech that \"modernization is an inalienable right of all countries.\" He highlighted that the Western path to modernization has often led to significant challenges for developing nations, advocating instead for China and African countries to pursue their unique paths to modernization tailored to their specific national conditions. This approach aims to address and rectify historical injustices encountered during the modernization process.
The 2024 FOCAC Summit underscores China's commitment to supporting Africa's development and modernization efforts, reinforcing the importance of mutual cooperation and shared growth among nations in the Global South.
Reference(s):
2024 Summit of FOCAC: Moving together for the future of modernization
cgtn.com
