Chinese FM proposes principles for int'l cooperation with Africa

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has proposed three principles for the international community when cooperating with Africa.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, put forward the proposals on Thursday when meeting the press together with Senegalese Foreign Minister Yacine Fall and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

He said China expects all countries engaged in cooperation with Africa to uphold justice.

Achieving modernization is not a privilege exclusive to a few countries, and African nations also have the right to development, Wang said.

It is imperative to be attentive to Africa's voices and respect African people's aspiration to explore their own development paths, he said.

He added that international cooperation with Africa should be pragmatic, calling on all partner countries to walk the talk and deliver tangible benefits to African people.

On China's valuable experience drawn from its long-term cooperation with Africa, Wang said China does not interfere in Africa's internal affairs and sincerely provides assistance to Africa without attaching any political conditions.

Closely aligned with Africa's development needs, China's assistance not only focuses on infrastructure but also includes "small and beautiful" projects that improve people's livelihoods, and helps Africa enhance its capacity for independent development, Wang said.

He stressed that China does not engage in geopolitical games, and opposes stoking bloc confrontation in Africa or taking advantage of Africa for selfish interests.