Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
China's Xi vows to raise relations with Africa to a ‘strategic’ level
China's President Xi Jinping (bottom) speaks at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, September 5, 2024

CHINA’S President Xi Jinping vowed to raise relations with Africa to a “strategic level,” during his keynote speech to the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation today.

Speaking to dozens of African leaders at the opening ceremony of the Beijing forum, Mr Xi promised billions in loans and private investment over the next three years

Mr Xi said: “We have always understood and supported each other, setting an example for a new type of international relations.”

China has become a major player in Africa since the forum was founded in 2000. 

Chinese companies have invested heavily in mining for the resources to support the country’s industries and its development banks have made loans to build railways, roads and other infrastructure under Mr Xi’s highly successful Belt and Road Initiative.

African leaders have welcomed China’s assistance and are working with the Chinese to more closely align aid with the continent’s development goals. 

China, has become sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner.

Mr Xi outlined 10 “partnership actions to support the broadening relationship with Africa.”

These actions included training for African politicians and future leaders, a further opening of the Chinese market, agriculture demonstration areas, vocational and technical training, green energy projects and 1 billion yuan (£106 million) in grants for military assistance.

Many African nations have taken a non-aligned stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine which has led to political friction with the United States.

During talks with Mr Xi earlier this week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “As our history demands, South Africa will continue to pursue progressive internationalism. 

“Building on the firm foundation of solidarity, we continue to provide support in promoting our interests, those of the African continent and the global South.”

On the trade front Mr Xi said China would eliminate tariffs on products from most of the world’s poorest countries, including 33 in Africa, in an expansion of existing tariff exemptions.

The relationship has moved beyond trade and investment to take on political overtones as China seeks allies in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world for its competition with the United States to define the norms governing the global economy and how countries interact with each other.

Mr Xi said: “Modernisation is an inalienable right of all countries.” 

But, the president added: “The Western approach to it has inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries. Since the end of World War II, Third World nations, represented by China and African countries, have achieved independence and have been endeavouring to redress the historical injustices of the modernisation process.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Ambulance workers on the picket line outside London Ambulance Service (LAS) in Deptford, south-east London, February 10, 2023
Features / 26 June 2025
26 June 2025

I found myself alone as the sole reporter at Britain’s largest union conference, leaving stories of modern-day slavery and sexual exploitation going unreported: our socialist journalism is just as vital as the union work we cover, writes ROGER McKENZIE

School support staff members of Unison during a rally outside the Scottish parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, September 27, 2023
Unison Conference 2025 / 19 June 2025
19 June 2025
People join civil society groups led by Stand Up To Racism during a counter-protest against a rally endorsed by Tommy Robinson in central London, October 26, 2024
Unison Conference 2025 / 17 June 2025
17 June 2025
Similar stories
In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Chin
World / 18 April 2025
18 April 2025
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, centre right,walks toget
World / 17 April 2025
17 April 2025