A brief overview of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: South-South Cooperation and Major Country Responsibilities

On 4 September 2024, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit will be held in Beijing.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is a mechanism for collective dialogue between the People's Republic of China and African countries in the context of cooperation between southern countries, established in 2000. The purpose of the Forum is equality and mutual benefit, equal consultation, deepening understanding, broadening consensus, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation. Members of the Forum include the People's Republic of China, the 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, and the African Union Commission.

At a regular Chinese Foreign Ministry press conference on 28 August Beijing time, a spokesman said that supporting Africa's development is a shared responsibility of the international community. China welcomes other countries to increase their attention and investment in Africa, just like China, and is willing to work with the international community to promote the development and prosperity of Africa and the benefit of the African people.

Currently, 52 African countries and the African Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative. The "hard connectivity" of Sino-African infrastructure has reached a new level. Chinese companies have participated in the construction and renovation of more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, nearly 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports, 66,000 kilometers of electric transmission and transformation lines, and 150,000 kilometers of backbone communication networks in African countries. These concrete figures not only highlight China's deep friendship with the southern countries of the African continent, but also act as a silent mirror that quietly but clearly demonstrates China's responsibility as a major country.

CMG