On September 12, An article by Chinese Ambassador Yang Titled “Jointly Pursue Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future” was published in Lesotho times. Here is the full text:
From September 4th to 6th, the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was grandly held in Beijing, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Matekane, along with 51 heads of state and government, 2 presidential representatives of African countries, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended this summit.
Under the theme of “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”, the two sides took stock of the journey of China-Africa friendship, commended the progress made in implementing the outcomes of FOCAC, and reached a clear political consensus on strengthening cooperation across the board. Two important documents, the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan, were adopted unanimously.
This summit represents a pivotal moment as China-Africa embarks on a new path toward modernization and elevates the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to new heights. The results are promising, the cooperation prospects are expansive, and the historical significance is profound.
First, China-Africa relations have reached new heights. 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. Thanks to nearly 70 years of tireless efforts from both sides, the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history.
China-Lesotho relations have also reached a new level. On September 2nd, during the meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lesotho's Prime Minister Matekane, the two sides have jointly decided to elevate the China-Lesotho relationship to a strategic partnership. China is ready to work with Lesotho to implement the important common understandings reached by leaders of the two countries, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, constantly enrich the connotation of China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
On the high-level meeting themed “Strengthening Governance Experience Exchanges and Exploring Development Paths to Modernization”, Prime Minister Matekane stated that in recent times, high level exchanges between dignitaries of Lesotho and China signified the importance of bilateral relationship. The exchanges have helped to deepen mutual political trust between the two countries and provided opportunities for leaders to communicate directly and build personal relationships.
Second, China and Africa jointly advance modernization. Modernization is an inalienable right of all countries. 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.
As we are about to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we are going all out to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and pursue national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. Africa is also awakening again, and the continent is marching in solid strides toward the modernization goals set forth in the AU’s Agenda 2063. China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernization will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, and open a new chapter in our drive for a community with a shared future for mankind.
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, 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, 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. Fourth, jointly advance modernization featuring diversity and inclusiveness, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the Global Civilization Initiative. Fifth, jointly advance modernization that is eco-friendly, 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.
Prime Minister Matekane also called on the Chinese side to continue working hand in hand with Lesotho under the vision of “exploring the path to modernization”, and to maintain consistent support for Lesotho, helping it achieve modernization in areas such as agriculture and renewable energy.
A righteous cause attracts strong support, and a journey with many companions progresses far. By achieving modernization through high-quality cooperation, we are confident that it will elevate China-Africa and China-Lesotho relations to greater heights.
Third, a blueprint was drawn up for China-Africa cooperation going forward. President Xi Jinping announced ten partnership actions that China would take with Africa to advance modernization in the next three years, covering the areas of mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people exchanges, green development, and common security. These actions cover various aspects and involve concrete measures, align closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Lesotho National Development Strategy and Lesotho National Reforms Program.
For example, in terms of the Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity, China will voluntarily and unilaterally open its market wider. We 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. For 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 in terms of the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, China will provide Africa with RMB1 billion yuan 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 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. For 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.
President Xi Jinping also stated that to implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB360 billion yuan 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 RMB70 billion yuan 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-Lesotho cooperation. The two sides signed the exchange letter for Emergency Humanitarian Food Aid from Chinese government, confirmed the list of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment donated by the Chinese government, and China promised more training of talents for Lesotho and more workshops particularly on agriculture. And the Lesotho government agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Implementation of the Global Development Initiative between China International Development Cooperation Agency and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning of Lesotho.
The friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans, and passes down through generations. Over 30 years, China and Lesotho have shown respects 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. Looking forward, let us rally Chinese and Lesotho peoples into a powerful force on our shared path toward modernization, 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 brighter future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.