New Positioning, New Goals, New Initiatives

From September 4th to 6th , the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation（FOCAC）was grandly held in BeiJing, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with 51 heads of state and government and 2 presidential representatives of African countries, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended this summit. After six years, Chinese and African leaders gathered again in Beijing to renew friendships, discuss cooperation, and envision the future together. The summit officially adopted two outcome documents: the” Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era” and the “Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)” This summit marks a significant event as China and Africa embark on a new journey toward modernization and elevate the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to new heights. The outcomes are fruitful, the prospects for cooperation are vast, and the historical significance is profound.

Ⅰ. New Positioning: partnership relations closer than ever

Together in solidarity through thick and thin. In 2000, the first Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC was held in Beijing. Over the past 24 years, high-level interactions between China and Africa have become increasingly close, political trust has deepened, delivering a leap in China-Africa relations from “a new type of partnership” to “a new type of strategic partnership” and to “a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership”. The practical cooperation has been highly fruitful, China-Africa trade volume has increased from $10.5 billion in 2000 to $282.1 billion in 2023, nearly a 26-fold increase. Direct Chinese investment stock in Africa has grown from less than $500 million in 2000 to over $40 billion today. Over the years, China and Africa have constructed and upgraded nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly a thousand bridges, and nearly a hundred ports. Exchanges in various fields between China and Africa have become unprecedentedly active, with flourishing tourism, cultural, youth, and media exchanges, further solidifying the foundation of public support.

Currently, China-Africa relations have reached a new level. On September 5th, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Beijing Summit that bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China be elevated to the level of strategic relations, and that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

As significant representatives of major developing countries and emerging economies, China-Nigeria relations have also reached a new level. On September 3st, during the talks between President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was in China for a State Visit and to attend the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, the two Presidents have agreed to upgrade the China-Nigeria relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and build a High-level China-Nigeria Community with a shared future. After the talks, the two Presidents jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as “the Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative”, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic development, the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, peanut exports to China, and news media. The two Presidents also issued the “Joint Statement Between The People’S Republic Of China And The Federal Republic Of Nigeria On Establishing A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership And Building A High-Level China-Nigeria Community With A Shared Future”.

Their strengthened strategic cooperation will propel a new dynamic for China-Africa relations in the new era and lead the Global South to march together.

Ⅱ. New Goals: China-Africa and China-Nigeria’s joint pursuit of modernization

Modernization is a shared dream of China and Africa. As a new form of human civilization, Chinese modernization breaks the myth that “modernization equals Westernization,” demonstrating that developing countries have both the right and the ability to explore modernization paths suited to their own conditions. It provides inspiration and reference for Africa’s independent exploration of development paths and the realization of “African modernization.”

At BeiJing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced that China and Africa should jointly advance “six characteristics of modernization”. First, jointly advance modernization that is just and equitable, increase exchanges of governance experience with Africa, support all countries in exploring modernization paths befitting their national conditions, and help ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all countries; Second, jointly advance modernization that is open and win-win, deepen cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment, promote exemplary, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation projects, and build together a model for the delivery of the Global Development Initiative; Third, jointly advance modernization that puts the people first, promote personnel training, poverty reduction and employment, enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security of the people in the course of modernization, and ensure that all will benefit from the process; Fourth, jointly advance modernization featuring diversity and inclusiveness, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilizations on our way to modernization, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the Global Civilization Initiative; Fifth, jointly advance modernization that is eco-friendly, China is ready to help Africa build “green growth engines,” narrow the gap in energy accessibility, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and jointly push for the global transition to green and low-carbon development; Sixth, jointly advance modernization underpinned by peace and security, China is ready to help Africa improve its capacity in safeguarding peace and stability independently, prioritize Africa in implementing the Global Security Initiative (GSI), promote mutual reinforcement of high-quality development and greater security, and work together with Africa to uphold world peace and stability.

Only by working together can China and Africa pursue the dream of modernization. President Xi Jinping pointed out at the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue held last August that “On this path to modernization, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa.”

The Joint Statement between China and Nigeria also highlights four key areas for cooperation: Building High-level Strategic Mutual Trust, Enhancing High-level Cooperation of Development, Strengthening High-level Mutual Assistance on Security and Promoting High-level Mutual Learning. These areas underscore the crucial fields for collaboration and development between the two countries.

A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far. By achieving modernization through high-quality cooperation, we are confident that it will drive China-Africa and China-Nigeria relations to new and greater heights.

Ⅲ. New Initiatives: 10 partnership actions for modernization focus on comprehensive collaboration

” The Principle of Sincerity, Real Results, Affinity, and Good Faith” is China’s enduring policy principle toward Africa. At BeiJing summit, President Xi Jinping proposed that in the next three years, China will work with Africa to take the following ten partnership actions for modernization, further demonstrating that China will not be a hypocritical ally of Africa that only “pays lip service”, but will be a true friend that always “walks the walk”.

First, the Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations, build a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and 25 centers on China and Africa studies, and invite 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance.

Second, the Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity, China have decided to give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, expand market access for African agricultural products, deepen cooperation with Africa in e-commerce and other areas, and enter into framework agreements on economic partnership for shared development with African countries to provide long-term, stable and predictable institutional guarantee for trade and investment between the two sides.

Third, the Partnership Action for Industrial Chain Cooperation, build with Africa a digital technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects so as to embrace together the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.

Fourth, the Partnership Action for Connectivity, China is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote together high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development.

Fifth, the Partnership Action for Development Cooperation, China is ready to release the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative with Africa, implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, replenish the China-World Bank Group Partnership Facility and support Africa in hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sixth, the Partnership Action for Health, establish with Africa a hospitals alliance and joint medical centers, send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and launch 20 programs of health facilities and malaria treatment. We will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production, and continue to do what we can to help Africa with epidemic response. We support the development of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen public health capacity in all African countries.

Seventh, the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, China will provide Africa with RMB 1 billion yuan (nearly $140 million) in emergency food assistance, build 100,000 mu (about 6,670 hectares) of standardized agriculture demonstration areas in Africa, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. We will implement 500 programs in Africa to promote community welfare. We will also encourage two-way investment for new business operations by Chinese and African companies, enable Africa to retain added value, and create at least one million jobs for Africa.

Eighth, the Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges, China will implement with Africa more solidly the Future of Africa—Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, establish together an engineering technology academy, and build ten Luban Workshops. We will provide 60,000 training opportunities to Africa, mainly for women and youths. We will launch with Africa a Cultural Silk Road program as well as an initiative of cooperation on innovation in radio, TV and audio and visual programs. The two sides have agreed to designate 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Ninth, the Partnership Action for Green Development, China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation. We will create a China-Africa forum on peaceful use of nuclear technology, establish together 30 joint laboratories, and collaborate on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration. All this is designed to help with green development in Africa.

Tenth, the Partnership Action for Common Security. China is ready to build with Africa a partnership for implementing the GSI, and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation. We will give Africa RMB1 billion yuan of grants in military assistance, provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa, and invite 500 young African military officers to visit China. The two sides will conduct joint military exercises, training and patrol, carry out an “action for a mine-free Africa,” and jointly ensure the safety of personnel and projects.

President Xi Jinping also stated that to implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB 360 billion yuan (nearly $51 billion) of financial support through the next three years. This breaks down into RMB210 billion yuan of credit line, RMB80 billion yuan of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB 70 billion yuan (nearly $10 billion) of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.

During the BeiJing summit, we have already witnessed new practical measures in China-Nigeria cooperation. The two countries jointly signed the “Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative”, both countries remain committed to advancing high-level cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC Conference outcomes with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Agenda of the Nigerian Government to jointly promote high-level practical cooperation across board, focused on key areas including infrastructure, trade and investment, industrial development, digital economy, green development, energy resources, finance, science and technology, agricultural cooperation, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and talent development, and cultural exchanges. The plan outlines specific cooperation projects and priorities in these fields.

The friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans, and passes down through generations. over 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, both countries have shown respect to each other and treat each other as equals. The relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of international changes, the mutual trust has been enhanced continuously, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes. The two countries have embarked on a path of seeking strength through unity for a win-win cooperation.

Looking to the future, let us build on our “new positioning,” anchor our “new goals,” and implement “new initiatives”, ignite a wave of cooperation in advancing modernization and building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, while amplifying the voice of progress for the Global South and contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind., and join hands to bring about a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.