In a speech at a press and think tank briefing, Ambassador Hu Changchun, the Head of Mission of China to the African Union, highlighted the critical role the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has played over the past 24 years in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between China and Africa.

Ambassador Hu emphasized that FOCAC has been focused on achieving common prosperity and sustainable development for China and Africa, adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. He noted that FOCAC has become an important platform for collective dialogue and an effective mechanism for practical cooperation between the two sides.

Citing a range of figures, Ambassador Hu outlined the tangible results of China-Africa cooperation under the FOCAC framework. This includes China’s direct investment in Africa exceeding $47 billion by the end of 2022, the establishment of over 3,000 Chinese enterprises in Africa, and the construction and upgrading of about 150,000 km of communication backbone networks in Africa, serving 700 million users.

China has also actively supported Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization, talent development, and energy transition through a series of major initiatives announced by President Xi Jinping, the ambassador noted.

Looking ahead to the upcoming FOCAC Beijing Summit, Ambassador Hu expressed confidence that China and Africa will further deepen their solidarity and cooperation, making new contributions to promoting global modernization and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

“The friendship of nations lies in the affinity of peoples, and the affinity of peoples lies in the affinity of hearts,” the ambassador said. “The close interaction between the two peoples has closely linked the Chinese dream and the African dream, writing the most vivid chapter of China-Africa community with a shared future.”