China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Chen Xiaodong, just put the world on notice. During a press conference on Friday, Chen said that now is the perfect time for China and Africa to level up their partnership, with a China-Africa summit happening in Beijing next month.
Chen didn’t hold back, saying that China and Africa need to come together to amplify the voices of the Global South, especially as the world faces some serious changes. “Currently, a once-in-a-century change is accelerating and the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation,” said Chen.
He also highlighted Africa’s “new awakening” as the continent pushes for unity, self-reliance, and integration—something China is ready to support.
President Xi Jinping is gearing up to make big moves at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, which kicks off on September 5th. Xi is expected to announce a new aid package for Africa, showing just how serious China is about this partnership.
Leaders from 53 African countries will be at the three-day summit, the fourth of its kind since 2006. With China being Africa’s biggest trading partner and a major investor, it is clear this relationship is only getting stronger—especially with Africa being a key player in Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
