Johannesburg - All eyes will be on Sandton, Johannesburg, today, as leaders from China and Africa meet to cement their economic and political relations.
The two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) gets underway this morning, which will be chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Jacob Zuma.
As many as 50 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the summit where they will be building on past achievements for a brighter future.
The summit will allow the two sides to renew friendship and explore co-operation, charting the course for practical co-operation in various fields in the next three years.
It is also seen as a summit to promote South-South co-operation, which will in-turn encourage North-South dialogue, and help move the international governance system towards greater equity and fairness.
African countries and China share a common aspiration for faster progress in industrialisation and agricultural modernisation as well as economic independence and sustainable development.
The trade relationship has grown rapidly in the past 15 years, though largely skewed in China's favour.
Data reveals that trade volume between China and Africa has soared from US$10 million to US$220 billion.
During the same period, China’s direct investment in Africa has sharply increased from US$500 million to US$30 billion.
There are said to be more than 3 000 Chinese companies running their businesses in Africa, according to official statistics.
This has come with many deals with China and with a pledge to help Africa industrialise -- a key part of the African Union 2063 vision.
Already it has invested multibillion US dollars in infrastructure development projects such as building railways and roads.
Last night, a welcoming banquet attended by African leaders and the Chinese President took place.
“The upcoming summit will inevitably lift the Africa-China relationship to a new height,” said President Zuma at the banquet, calling on all the leaders to make joint efforts to ensure a successful summit so as to lay a solid foundation for deepening Africa-China cooperation in the future.
President Zuma's remarks reflected the common expectation of the African countries.
President Xi delivered a speech at the banquet, pledging China's commitment to pushing forward its friendship with Africa.
President Xi expressed China's willingness to strengthen economic ties with the African countries in areas such as investment and finance, infrastructure construction, manufacturing, agriculture, production capacity and health care, as well as cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
“China and Africa should work together to translate the superiority of their friendship into momentum for win-win cooperation and common development, and translate rich natural and human resources on the continent into economic power and people's wellbeing,” the Chinese President said.
Earlier on Thursday, President Xi meet with AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, where he pledged support for the AU's role in regional and global affairs.
President Xi called on China and the AU to enhance political mutual trust, perfect the mechanism of dialogue and forge a strategic partnership.
Building economic ties
On economic ties, the President said the two sides should synergise their development strategies through pushing forward production capacity cooperation.
China is ready to provide assistance to Africa in addressing its bottleneck problems of outdated infrastructure and shortage of skills.
President Xi also urged both sides to strengthen cooperation in disease control and prevention and people-to-people exchanges.
China has always adhered to the principle of "African issues should be addressed by the African people in the African way", President Xi said.
He said China will never interfere in the internal affairs of the African countries.
Dlamini Zuma thanked China for its long-term help to Africa, especially the timely and valuable assistance in the fight against the Ebola epidemic.
She also expressed gratitude to China for its support to the AU in improving its peace-keeping ability. She said Africa is ready to work with China in achieving Agenda 2063, the blue print of Africa's development. – SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua
