Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opening ceremony

Editor’s note:

China.org.cn presents you a live coverage of the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on the afternoon of September 3, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech.

Please stay tuned for our live updates.

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All time is Beijing Time (GMT+0800).

[18:18] The opening ceremony of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit is over.

[18:16] Faki hails China’s new initiatives and investment for Africa.

[18:15] Faki emphasizes investment in infrastructure and agriculture.

[18:14] Faki: FOCAC to help advance Africa’s integration and development

[18:13] Faki: China’s ties with AU see progress.

[18:12] Faki hails President Xi’s contribution to China-Africa cooperation.

[18:11] Faki: China-Africa cooperation a solid foundation for a new international order

[18:10] Faki: FOCAC to reaffirm multilateralism and work towards inclusive global governance

[18:09] Faki: Unilateralism hampers fair and equitable global order.

[18:08] Faki: The world is undergoing worrying changes such as unilateralism.

[18:07] Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, is delivering a speech.

[18:06] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres concludes his speech.

[18:05] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: South-South cooperation is fundamental for globalization. Efforts should be made to promote financial sustainability in Africa. Climate change should be a focus for China-Africa cooperation.

[18:01] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: China and Africa can unite for progress for humankind. Strong China-Africa ties can promote development.

[18:00] Antonio Guterres, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, is delivering a speech.

[17:57] Kagame: China proven to be a win-win partner and sincere friend.

[17:56] Kagame hails President Xi’s visits to African continent.

[17:54] Kagame: Africa’s wish is to be an integral part of Belt and Road Initiative.

[17:51] Kagame: Open up new pathways for cooperation, such as environmental protection

[17:49] Kagame: FOCAC has grown into a powerful engine of cooperation.

[17:46] Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda and rotating chairperson of the African Union (AU), delivers a speech.

[17:45] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa concludes his speech.

[17:42] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa: Chinese investors can reap the benefits of the massive continental market. Platform like FOCAC should be used to reaffirm multilateralism. Chinese investment in Africa has strengthened trade ties. Great emphasis is needed for people-to-people exchanges.

[17:37] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes new FOCAC initiatives on African continent.

[17:34] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa: 10 Cooperation Plans fully implemented.

[17:25] South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is delivering a speech.

[17:24] Chinese President Xi Jinping concludes his speech.

[17:19] China has honored its 2015 promise to provide Africa with funding support totaling 60 billion U.S. dollars, Xi said, adding that the financing has been either delivered or arranged.

Xi said China will implement eight major initiatives with African countries in the next three years and beyond, covering fields such as industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, and green development.

[17:15] Xi called on the two sides to enhance exchanges, mutual learning and harmonious co-existence of Chinese and African civilizations, and expand personnel exchanges on culture and art, education and sports, think tanks and media, as well as women and youth.

[17:14] Xi called for the alignment of the Belt and Road construction with the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the development strategies of various African countries.

[17:13] Xi called for the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future that assumes joint responsibility, pursues win-win cooperation, delivers happiness for all, enjoys cultural prosperity, ensures common security, and promotes harmony between man and nature.

[17:12] Xi: China will also get actively involved in global governance and stay committed to the vision of consultation, cooperation and benefit for all in global governance. Moreover, China will remain committed to opening-up.

[17:10] Xi said China is ready to work with international partners in building the Belt and Road.

[17:09] Xi: China takes it as its mission to make new and even greater contribution to mankind.

[17:08] Xi: We firmly believe that peace and development are the theme and the call of the times.

[17:07] China takes an open and inclusive approach to cooperation. China stands ready to work with other international partners to support Africa in pursuing peace and development, Xi said. “No one could stand in the way or obstruct international efforts to support Africa’s development.”

[17:04] China takes a people-oriented approach in pursuing practical cooperation with efficiency. With top priority given to the interests of the Chinese and African peoples, China advances its cooperation with Africa to improve the wellbeing of Chinese and African peoples and deliver more benefits to them. “We will fully honor the promises we have made to our African brothers,” Xi said. “No one could, out of their imagination or assumption, deny the remarkable achievements made in China-Africa cooperation.”

[17:03] China pursues common interests and puts friendship first in cooperation. China believes the sure way to boost China-Africa cooperation is for both sides to leverage their respective strengths and for China to complement Africa’s development through its own growth, and for both sides to pursue win-win cooperation and common development, Xi said. “No one could hold back the Chinese people or the African people as we march toward rejuvenation.”

[17:02] Xi: China values sincerity, friendship and equality in pursuing cooperation. The over 1.3 billion Chinese people have been with the over 1.2 billion African people in pursuing a shared future, he said.

The country follows a “five-no” approach in its relations with Africa: no interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries’ internal affairs; no imposition of China’s will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with Africa, Xi said. “No one could undermine the great unity between the Chinese people and the African people.”

[16:59] Xi: Africa’s development has great potential and the continent is full of hope. China-Africa friendship and cooperation have broad vistas, and China and Africa can forge an even stronger comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. China and Africa have embarked on a distinctive path of win-win cooperation.

[16:46] Xi greets Cyril Ramaphosa, South African president, Paul Kagame, Rwandan president and rotating chairperson of the African Union, other heads of state, government and delegations present at the ceremony, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the AU Commission in his speech.

[16:45] The opening ceremony of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit kicks off in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers the keynote speech.

[15:57]   China and Africa to deepen economic cooperation during Beijing Summit

China has been the largest trade partner for Africa nine consecutive years and it has continued to encourage its entrepreneurs to invest in helping African countries upgrade their industries and improve economic structures.

[15:17] China stands ready to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with the African countries to build a road of high-quality development that is suited to national conditions, inclusive, and beneficial to all, Xi said in his keynote speech themed “walk together towards prosperity” at the meeting, also the Sixth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs. 

[14:19]  Photos: ‘Colorful Africa’ photo exhibition displayed at FOCAC media center

[13:46] China supports the African countries in jointly building the Belt and Road to share the win-win outcomes, President Xi Jinping said Monday when addressing the High-Level Dialogue Between Chinese and African Leaders and Business Representatives.

[13:42] The inauguration ceremony of Representative Mission to the People’s Republic of China for the African Union was held in Beijing on Sept. 2.

[12:22]  Opinion: China’s new development approach in Africa

Haifa Said is an editor and journalist focused on international and China-related affairs

China departs from the Western donor-recipient style of engagement with Africa and offers instead a new approach of international cooperation, with development at its core.

[11:42] Calling the UN “the flag of multilateralism,” Xi said the world has been more in need than ever of multilateralism and a stronger UN as the rising unilateralism and protectionism is dealing a blow to the international order and the system of global governance.

[11:40] Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4.

[10:44] Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks on Sunday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), agreeing to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership of the two countries to a new level.

[09:28]  Opinion: Sky is the limit for China-Africa cooperation

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. 

​The Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) provides a major opportunity for the two sides to create stronger win-win links.

[08:50] During the FOCAC Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping on behalf of the Chinese government will put forward the specific vision on building a China-Africa community with a shared future, and announce proposals and measures by the Chinese side to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in the future, Wang said, adding that the summit will be a historical one that will enhance China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

[08:49] This year marks the 18th anniversary of the establishment of FOCAC and the forum has become a model of South-South cooperation and a banner of international cooperation with Africa, Wang said.

[08:48] Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan co-chaired the meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies.

[September 3, 08:46] The Seventh Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held on Sunday in Beijing.

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[15:30] 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit: What to expect

Xi Jinping’s speech

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to propose new ideas to strengthen relations with Africa and announce new measures for pragmatic cooperation.

Reunion

This year is the third time the summit has convened, following the inaugural 2006 summit in Beijing and the 2015 summit in Johannesburg, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Two documents 

The summit will conclude with the signing of a declaration and an action plan, providing guidelines for China-Africa cooperation for the next three years.

Future cooperation 

The summit aims to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, further dovetail China’s Belt and Road Initiative with African development, set a new path for a higher level of China-Africa cooperation and deepen people-to-people exchanges.

[15:19]  Video: What do I get from reading ‘Xi Jinping: The governance of China’

 

[15:11] On September 4, Xi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will separately chair the two rounds of discussion. Both Chinese and African leaders will exchange ideas on China-Africa relations and international and regional issues of common concern, according to Wang.

[15:10] Xi and some African leaders will attend and deliver speeches during the opening ceremony of the High-Level Dialogue of China-Africa Leaders and Business Representatives, and the 6th China-Africa Business Forum, on the morning of September 3.

[15:09]  Various African leaders and the chairman of the African Union (AU) will attend the summit, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General as the special guest and 27 international and African groups as observers.

[15:08] The speech will expound China’s new ideas on strengthening relations with Africa, and announce new measures for China’s pragmatic cooperation with Africa, Wang said.

This summit will be a significant diplomatic event hosted by China this year and attended by the largest number of foreign leaders. We believe that with the joint efforts of China and Africa, the Beijing summit will be a great success and establish a new historical monument of China-Africa friendly cooperation.

[15:03] Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced Wednesday.

[15:00]  China, Africa to strengthen military exchanges, cooperation: Ministry of National Defense

The Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said on Thursday ahead of the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),

Looking back at history, the Chinese military and the military of African countries have maintained a relationship of sincerity and friendliness. Military exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have made historic contributions to helping African countries fight against colonialism and achieve national liberation and independence.

[14:38] FOCAC has held two summits gathering leaders of China and African countries, one in Beijing in 2006 and another in Johannesburg in 2015.

[14:30] Ren Minghui, WHO assistant director-general for communicable disease, told China.org.cn.

China’s experiences are relevant to African countries as they both “have similar diversity of geography, culture, and population.

[14:26] Under the FOCAC framework, there are regular consultations at ministerial and senior-official levels, and between the Chinese Follow-up Committee and the African Diplomatic Corps in China. Sub-forums on business, youth, health and poverty reduction, and many others, have also been set up.

[14:25] FOCAC was founded in 2000 and its membership had grown to have China, 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, and the African Union Commission as of June 2018, according to the FOCAC website.

[14:20]  UN official hails China’s contribution to improving public health in Africa

UNAIDS Country Director Amakobe Sande has applauded China’s contribution to African countries in improving their public health, saying that China has provided “a wealth of urgently needed support” ranging from infrastructure construction, technology, financial assistance, and personnel training, in an exclusive interview with China.org.cn, ahead of the High-Level Meeting on China-Africa Health Cooperation which began on August 17 in Beijing.

[14:15] Media center of FOCAC 2018 Beijing Summit started trial operation on Wednesday.

[September 2, 14:00] The 2018 Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held on September 3 and 4 under the theme of “China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation.”