Mr Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) has reiterated the need for Africans to embrace one-China-principle through peaceful process to advance China-Africa shared values.
Faki made this in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which opened on Wednesday in Beijing.
The theme of the summit is: “Join hands to advance modernization and build high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.”
“Africans should know the importance of our national unification, to always support one-China-principle and achieve more meaningful growth through peaceful processes.
“China and Africa shared similar challenges for many years. We share similar historical experience, which determines that we will share same future, joint commitment to sustain independence, economic development and prosperity.”
Also speaking, President Bassirou Faye of Senegal, said the country attaches great importance to China-Africa friendship based on shared values and culture that both parties enjoyed.
Faye, who is also co-Chair of FOCAC since 2018, commended China’s long history of friendship and solidarity with the people of Africa over many centuries.
“I urge African community to remain strong, irrespective of the challenges they face, which we can respond to by strengthening political and economic solidarity that are vital to every country’s growth.
“Particularly, through the BRI of China, railways, agriculture and education, industry, health and other strategic areas.
In his contribution, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, reflected on the progress so far made by Africa countries and China, and on the need to chat a way forward.
Tinubu, who also Chairman of ECOWAS said, “China has consistently demonstrated its commitment to our programmes, not only through financial and developmental support, but also through cultural engagement that brings our people closely together.
“As we keep to our economic ties growing and remain committed to realising mutual progress despite global challenges, we remain resolute in our partnership that offers pathway for achieving more goals through respect for sovereignty and non-interference.”
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa described FOCAC as a valuable platform that supports the effective implementation of the African Union agenda 2063.
According to him, the FOCAC summit reflect our shared desire for modernization, development and progress of the African continent at large.
“We believe this shared desire reflect our partnership toward modernization through the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and the economies that are primed together in pursuing projects across national borders.
“We believe FOCAC can play important role toward achieving this as Africa leaders work to build an interconnected linkages within regions and across countries,” Ramaphosa said.
President Denis Sassou of the Republic of the Congo described China as an all-time friend to Central Africa, saying the sub-region welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 10-partnership action plans designed to jointly advance China-Africa modernization.
“FOCAC has become a platform for dialogue and cooperation on shared history of value of China and Africa, and also our shared commitment to our people.
“This is what unites us and our common wealth, to achieve prosperity and peace for our people through mutual respect and solidarity,” he said
The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu, commended China for its support to Africa in the face of global challenges.
Suluhu said, “In spite of economic challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic China remained committed to redeeming pledges it made, particularly to aligning its programmes with Africa.
“Thus, China’s commitment has been monumental in advancing our mutual development.
“China has been on our side in reducing poverty and development of infrastructure, and work progress in small and medium enterprises,” Suluhu said.
In his speech, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), said that China-Africa partnership can further boost growth between the two parties and advance their economic growth.
“Africa can maximize the potential of China’s support in areas of management, finance and technology.
“The UN fully supports China-Africa partnership on shared goals centered on peace, sustainable development and human rights,” Guterres said. (NAN)
