President: China, Africa should work together to realize development visions
President Xi Jinping has called for China and Africa to join hands for modernization, and work together to create a favorable environment for realizing their respective development visions.
Xi made the remarks late on Thursday while co-chairing the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi returned to China on Friday, wrapping up his five-day tour to South Africa.
Addressing the meeting, Xi proposed concrete steps to promote China-Africa cooperation and contribute to Africa's integration and modernization.
He said that China is willing to launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization and implement the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, adding that Beijing will help Africa expand grain plantation and encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa.
China will host the second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture in Hainan province this November, said Xi, adding that China will provide additional emergency food assistance to some African countries in need to help the continent tackle the current food crisis.
China will also launch the plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, which aims to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges every year, and 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa, Xi said.
He noted that China will host the meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation next year to discuss future development plans to enable both sides to further enhance their traditional friendship, deepen unity and cooperation, and promote vibrant cooperation in various fields.
In 2013, during Xi's first foreign visit as president, he announced that China's Africa policy was based on the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. "Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle," Xi said.
He said that China is comprehensively promoting national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization, while Africa is making every effort to build a new Africa that is peaceful, united, prosperous and self-reliant.
He emphasized the importance of joint efforts between China and Africa to achieve their respective development goals, and urged efforts to promote the building of a fair and reasonable international order, maintain a peaceful and secure global environment, build an open and inclusive world economy, and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.
He urged efforts to firmly oppose the vestiges of colonialism and hegemony in all forms, and to support each other in safeguarding core interests and upholding the legitimate demands of developing countries.
Both sides should advocate dialogue to bridge differences and cooperation to resolve disputes, promote the political settlement of international and regional issues, and safeguard world peace and stability, he added.
Xi emphasized that there are various paths leading to modernization, and it is up to the people of Africa to determine the most suitable development path for themselves.
China firmly supports and is willing to be a partner of Africa in its modernization path, particularly in promoting integration of the continent, he said.
Looking to the future, Xi said that China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of their development strategies, and will continue to support Africa in speaking with one voice on international affairs to keep improving its international standing.
Noting that China will actively promote the African Union's membership of the G20, the president said that China supports making special arrangements on UN Security Council reform to meet Africa's aspiration as a priority. China also calls for multilateral financial institutions to increase the voice and representation of African countries, he added.
Comorian President Azali Assoumani, who serves as the rotating chairperson of the African Union, Senegalese President Macky Sall, who is the co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation from the African side, representatives from subregional organizations of Africa, the presidents of Zambia, Burundi, Djibouti and the Republic of Congo, and representatives from the African Union Commission attended the meeting.
They expressed gratitude for China's support in Africa's integration efforts and assistance during times of difficulty, saying that China-Africa relations are built on unity, friendship and mutual respect.
China's investment and cooperation with African countries have played a crucial role in Africa's development, making China an indispensable and important partner in Africa's modernization process, they said.
The African leaders appreciated and welcomed Xi's initiatives supporting African industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development, saying that these initiatives once again demonstrate China is a true friend and partner that addresses Africa's urgent needs.
The African side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China policy and both sides reaffirmed their staunch support for each other in upholding territorial integrity, sovereignty, security and development interests.
A joint statement of the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue was issued after the meeting.