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eliminating poverty in africa....

The ongoing 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is expected to elevate Sino-African engagement and cooperation to a higher level, as it is likely to suggest ways to overcome the challenges facing the world and outline the measures needed to consolidate the gains already made by the two sides.

The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held in July, resolved to comprehensively deepen reform and promote high-level opening-up, thereby creating new opportunities for Africa and the rest of the world to share the fruits of China's development.

 

FOCAC Summit to bring the next frontier closer

    By Charles Onunaiju 

 

The robust cooperation between China and Africa, especially after the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Hunan province in 2018, has provided African countries greater access to the Chinese market. Trade between the two sides in 2023 reached $282.1 billion, up 11 percent year-on-year, and Chinese investment in Africa has increased to $40 billion.

Apart from trade and investment, the summit will also give the African leaders an opportunity to discuss with their Chinese counterparts ways to eradicate poverty, because China achieved the monumental task of eradicating extreme poverty in 2020.

As expected, African countries are upbeat about their engagement with Chinese leaders during the summit in Beijing. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, while receiving Chinese vice-foreign minister in Nigeria recently, said that he commends what China is doing in Africa as China helps with capital mobilization for projects that positively impact the lives and livelihoods of our people in Africa.

As a veritable mechanism for Africa-China engagement, the FOCAC has been credited with both being a platform for dialogue and consultation, as well as for enabling practical and tangible outcomes for African countries.

From infrastructure construction, trade and investment to vigorous cultural and educational exchanges, the FOCAC has helped meet the needs of African countries, and ameliorate the historical infrastructure and connectivity deficits on the continent. The second and third FOCAC summits held in Johannesburg and Beijing in 2015 and 2018, respectively, were game-changers for China-Africa cooperation. The two summits outlined critical and targeted areas of cooperation, including infrastructure construction, industrialization, agricultural modernization, healthcare, capacity building, and cultural and educational exchanges, and have contributed immensely to the economic recoveries of African countries, and promoted regional trade under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The FOCAC mechanism has become Africa's most impactful platform for global cooperation through extensive consultations and widening engagements, while consolidating China-Africa cooperation and advancing the construction of a Sino-African community with a shared future.

From Beijing, Africa is likely to get practical inputs, along with promises of more investments, increasing trade and infrastructure construction, which will not only cushion the side effects of economic reform across the continent, but also provide critical support that makes tough economic reform a worthwhile endeavor both in the short and long terms.

Thanks to reform and opening-up, China has performed an economic miracle, becoming the second-largest economy in the world, eradicating extreme poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China's economic journey has been fascinating and its development model perhaps the most successful. But by blindly copying China's development model, African countries cannot achieve much, because the ground realities and the economic and political systems of China and African countries are very different.

Africa-China cooperation has come a long way, but at this historical inflection point, where China needs to strengthen South-South cooperation as a bulwark against the US-led West's China-containment policy, Africa and China need to recalibrate their cooperation mechanisms to ensure they go beyond the normal exchanges.

The challenges created by the increasing global uncertainties mean traditional partners such as Africa and China have to be creative, for they need to not only sustain the momentum of their relationship but also inject a new vitality into their partnership, which can turn the existing opportunities into concrete and tangible outcomes.

The FOCAC summits and other meetings have outlined cooperation issues and accompanying funding support, while African countries have to rise above the summit's glitz to devise a road map for following up the decisions made at the summit. The situation across Africa is too dire for African leaders and officials to be contented with the photo-ops and handshakes that are a part of summits. They have to act, and act now.

China's spectacular economic rise can be attributed to its immaculate planning, robust implementation, methodical follow-ups, and mutually beneficial engagement with other countries. Therefore, African countries have to abandon their casual approach to follow-ups, lackadaisical implementation of economic plans and, instead, follow through development projects and turn economic potential into real gains if they want to emulate China in terms of economic development.

Of course, the ongoing summit will provide the answers to the pressing question of how to achieve sustainable development, maintain global peace, and foster mutually beneficial partnerships, but unless the African countries take practical remedial actions, they cannot overcome the challenges and realize prosperity.

And the FOCAC Summit is widely expected to push for the reform of the global governance system to build a fairer and just world order which adheres to the principle that the world as a whole is a community with a shared future.

The author is research director of the Center for China Studies of Nigeria, an Abuja-based think tank.

 

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202409/05/WS66d8f68aa3108f29c1fca336.html

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

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the american nightmare for all of us.....

mutual prosperity....

By: Malik Ayub Sumbal, Journalist and geopolitical analysis

 

The logo of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) near the China National Convention Center in Beijing, China, August 29, 2024. The FOCAC summit is taking place in Beijing from September 4 to 6. /Xinhua
Editor’s note: Malik Ayub Sumbal, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an award-winning journalist, geopolitical analyst and author of the book Tovuz to Karabakh, A Comprehensive Analysis of War in South-Caucasus. The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Beijing is all set to host African leaders at the landmark 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a key event aimed at deepening political and economic ties between China and African nations.
This summit marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to foster a shared future destiny based on mutual respect and benefit. As Beijing rolls out the red carpet for African leaders, the forum is set to become the biggest participation of African leaders outside of the African Union.
China-Africa cooperation through FOCAC and will not only deepen the existing economic and political bonds, but also elevate the strategic partnership between the two regions. African nations, endowed with rich natural resources, have been historically exploited by the United States and some other Western countries. In the past decades, African nations have increasingly turned towards China for cooperation that promises win-win outcomes. This shift represents a collective move towards setting up partnerships that benefit both sides equally.

A comparative analysis of China’s cooperation in Africa and the Western exploitation of African resources reveals a stark contrast in the approaches of the two. Beijing’s strategy in Africa is fundamentally different, focusing on mutual benefit and respect. In contrast, the colonial and post-colonial approaches of the U.S. and other Western countries have often led to setbacks, best illustrated by France’s recent challenges in the Sahel region of Africa.

China’s involvement in Africa is most visible through its investments in infrastructure development. Under multiple programs, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has significantly contributed to developing and upgrading infrastructure across the continent. The construction of roads, bridges, railways, and other key infrastructures has facilitated faster transportation and improved communication networks in many African countries. Ranging from Djibouti in the northeast to Nigeria in the west and Angola in the south, about 50 countries across the continent are witnessing rapid infrastructure development through Chinese support. New electricity projects, seaports and airports, highways and water supply projects are aimed at sustainable development instead of extraction alone.

China’s contribution extends beyond infrastructure into critical sectors such as health. The Chinese government has played a crucial role in upgrading healthcare facilities and addressing epidemics across Africa. This support has been instrumental in improving the overall health standards in many regions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese support for African nations demonstrated a sense of humanity and shared friendship beyond borders.

Education is another area where Africa has benefited from its cooperation with China. African students who have been awarded opportunities to study in China’s universities have been equipped with knowledge and skills to contribute to their countries’ development.

In times of emergency or calamity, China has consistently been among the first nations to respond, and it has done so remarkably swiftly. Whether it’s a natural disaster, health crisis, or humanitarian emergency, China has demonstrated its commitment to swiftly providing aid and support to affected regions. The prompt dispatch of medical teams, relief supplies, and financial assistance has often made a significant difference in mitigating the impact of these crises.

China not only supports African nations through emergency aid, but also through various grant projects aimed at supporting welfare projects throughout the continent. Even in the post-pandemic era, China is leading the way through various programs to support governments in their economic recovery efforts. This proactive and compassionate approach has further solidified China’s reputation as a reliable partner in Africa, one that stands by its commitments not only in times of prosperity but also during challenging periods.

Trade between China and Africa has also reached new heights, with China being Africa’s largest trading partner. In the first seven months of 2024, China’s imports and exports to Africa reached 1.19 trillion yuan ($167 billion), a year-on-year increase of 5.5 percent. The implementation of a free trade agreement among African nations could help China and Africa strengthen trade relations more sustainably. Given that China is viewing Africa as a long-term partner, there is a possibility of more diversified and balanced growth in the economic and trade sectors.

China’s approach to Africa is driven by a vision of mutual development and engagement, in stark contrast to the historical exploitation by Western powers. Beijing’s commitment to fostering partnerships that benefit both sides reflects a broader strategy of building long-term, sustainable relationships based on respect, equality, and shared goals.

As 2024 FOCAC unfolds, it will be clear that the China-Africa relationship is poised to reach new heights, setting the stage for a future of strategic cooperation and mutual prosperity.

The Article originally published at CGTN website.

https://theduran.com/focac-2024-strengthening-china-africa-ties-for-a-shared-future/

 

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green projects....

 

BY Xu Qinyi

 

Editor's note: President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that the joint pursuit of modernization by China and Africa will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South and open a new chapter for building a community with a shared future for humanity. Six experts share their views with China Daily's Pan Yixuan on the significance of China-Africa cooperation in the new era as emphasized in the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Excerpts follow：

 

Green development has huge potential

On Thursday, the FOCAC announced the Partnership Action for Green Development under which China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa.

The demand for green development in Africa is significant, as the continent faces notable climate adaptation challenges despite potentially lower emissions compared to other regions. Therefore, Africa needs to focus on two main aspects — climate adaptation and innovative capacity building. This includes enhancing urban governance resilience, ensuring existing projects are climate-adaptive and resilient and fostering industrial cooperation in areas such as exports and new energy development.

When it comes to climate change and renewable sustainable development, the paths are limited, with one key aspect being emissions reduction through technological upgrades and energy efficiency improvements. The process of energy substitution involves using more renewable energy to replace traditional fossil fuels. Cooperation between China and Africa aims to accelerate this transition, not solely through aid but through collaborative efforts.

With the European Union's introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, climate and trade have become closely intertwined, where carbon considerations restrict trade and reshape trade rules. In this context, cooperation between China and Africa, as well as the development of both regions, aims to break free from constraints that could potentially subject developing countries to new carbon-based trade restrictions.

Countries aspire to reduce emissions and contribute to the global community's development, but it is crucial to prevent carbon emissions from being misused as a pretext for imposing new trade barriers. Ensuring that multilateral mechanisms function effectively is key to preventing the manipulation of international trade rules under the guise of carbon reduction and sustainable development, thereby hindering trade development. In this process, cooperation between China and Africa remains pivotal.

Xu Qinyi is an assistant professor at the School of International Studies, and researcher at the Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Peking University.

 

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202409/06/WS66da673fa3103711928a6746.html

 

 

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industrial cooperation....

 

China-Africa cooperation improves African industrialization

 

In a recent interview with #ChinaPerspectives, Ye Hailin, dean of China-Africa Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Chinese people often say, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Therefore, the fundamental purpose of promoting industrial cooperation in Africa is to assist Africa in its own industrialization.

This is aimed at resolving the longstanding imbalance between industrial and agricultural sectors in Africa that originated during the Western colonial era, thereby preventing African countries from becoming mere markets for Western industrial products. China has sufficient experience, technology and funding to help Africa achieve this goal.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202409/06/WS66da757ca3103711928a67ce.html

 

 

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

cooperation.,..

Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov

The issue of complementarity between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in the context of interaction with allies and partners on the African continent is more relevant than ever and is beginning to receive official support.

Indeed, this Russian-Sino-African interaction represents another nightmare for the representatives of the regimes of the Western planetary minority.

Proven complementarity in a multipolar world

No matter how the political representatives and propaganda of the Western minority regimes try to harm the ever-growing strategic and comprehensive cooperation between Russia and China, the result is obvious. Moscow and Beijing not only confidently continue their path towards strengthening strategic bilateral relations in various areas of interaction, but are also gradually moving towards implementing a policy of complementarity at the global level, including, of course, in African countries, relations with which are of primary importance for both Russia and China.

In fact, the issue of complementarity between Russia and China in Africa is not new in itself. But if a few years ago it was mainly expressed at the expert level, which was already a major concern for some Western propaganda instruments aimed at the African public, now Sino-Russian cooperation on the African continent is beginning to be addressed at the official level.

More precisely, this was stated by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation, Zhang Hanhui, at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok that is, China is ready to cooperate with Russia in Africa and that this is an extremely important direction: "This is very important. We are ready." – said Zhang Hanhui. Asked how China plans to jointly resolve crises on the African continent, the diplomat replied that the PRC and the Russian Federation are already cooperating on African issues within the framework of the UN and other international organizations and this cooperation will continue to strengthen.

This is what had to be demonstrated. one more time. Indeed, what is being observed today is precisely the destruction of all attempts by Western regimes and the planetary minority to divide the supporters and promoters of the multipolar world order. As well as the destruction of Western initiatives in Africa, as well as terrorist puppets, that the collective West covers and sponsors.

The problems for the Western minority are only just beginning

As for the future prospects, one thing is more obvious today than ever – the problems of the West, both in Africa and in the countries of the Global South in general, are really just beginning. And this at a time when the West is already howling about the many difficulties and challenges that have been “created” for them by the main forces of the multipolar world, first and foremost of course Russia and China, and this is especially true on the African continent. Where Western neocolonial regimes have long been accustomed to openly dominate, crush and plunder.

And by the way, it is no coincidence that today Westerners no longer so much mention Russia and China individually as "threats" to the interests of the West in African countries, but increasingly speak of a common Russian-Chinese threat to the interests of the planetary minority on the continent. Naturally, the narcissistic, cynical, arrogant, hypocritical and criminal representatives of this planetary Western minority turn a deaf ear when it comes to hearing what the inhabitants of the African countries themselves want. Their expectations, their preferences for interaction, as well as the fully justified reproaches addressed to the West - Western regimes and their primitive propaganda do not want to hear anything.

Although, on the other hand, this is once again an advantage for the supporters of Pan-African values ​​on the continent, and in general for all those who support the contemporary multipolar world order. In other words, and despite all the West's disconnection from reality, it promotes its own ousting from the continent through its arrogance and openly dirty policies. This is without even addressing the fact that it has absolutely nothing to offer today in comparison with China and Russia. The era of predation and savage exploitation is increasingly a thing of the past. As for real and mutually beneficial cooperation, the West simply cannot offer anything serious.

This is why the gradual officialization of Sino-Russian complementarity in Africa is tantamount to a catastrophe for the interests of the Western planetary minority on the continent. And as for the problems of this same minority, they are far from over.

Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov

source: New Eastern Outlook

 

https://en.reseauinternational.net/russie-chine-et-complementarite-en-afrique/

 

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colonial games....

The colonial footprints in Africa paint a bitter picture of socioeconomic exploitation and political repression, and at its heart are Britain and France. These countries operated different complex yet similar systems of colonial governance. To this end, unmasking their colonial games is necessary for a better understanding of how this complex chain of mechanisms impact the continent today.

READ MORE:

https://www.rt.com/africa/603630-real-barbarians-french-british/

 

 

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critical africa....

U.S. vs CHINA: Global Race is ON for Critical Minerals as the Focus Shifts to Africa's Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh6IOBvYW3U

 

 

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.