Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said on Friday that now is “the right time” to deepen cooperation between China and Africa, ahead of an upcoming China-Africa summit in Beijing next month.
Chen told a press conference on Friday that China and Africa should use the meeting to sound a “strong voice” for the Global South in the reform of global governance.
“Currently, a once-in-a-century change is accelerating and the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation,” said Chen.
“China and African countries are both important members of the Global South, and Africa is experiencing a new awakening by actively promoting the process of unity, self-improvement, and integration,” he added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on September 5th, China’s foreign ministry announced on Friday.
Xi will deliver a keynote speech in which he will announce a new package of aid to Africa, said Chen.
Representatives of 53 African countries that are members of the FOCAC will take part in the three-day summit – the fourth to be held since 2006.
As a key player in Africa, China is Africa’s largest trading partner and a significant source of investment.
The continent is also a significant part of Xi’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).