Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, speaks to the media after meeting with Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo in Brazzavilleon, on Jan 7, 2025. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]
Although some Western media have tried to portray Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's ongoing back-to-back visit to four African countries-Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad and Nigeria — as China's latest attempt to reach out to African countries to diversify its supplies of key mineral resources and oil, something other major economies are doing too, as long as China's cooperation with them is carried out on the basis of equity and according to fair market law there is no cause for criticism.
Wang's visit to Namibia concluded on Monday with the two sides agreeing to work together to promote the implementation in Namibia of the Ten Partnership Actions rolled out at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September, and to take advantage of their structural complementarity in economy, industry and trade to accelerate Namibia's modernization.
Wang's visit to the Republic of Congo the following day sent a similar message, with the two sides agreeing to set an example for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
In particular, they have agreed to continue to bolster the influence of the FOCAC, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. As co-chairs of the forum, the two sides will focus on the Ten Partnership Actions, and outline a clear timetable and road map for the forum's development over the next three years. That will be of strong reference value to other African countries.
It is good to see that, despite the efforts of some Western countries that are trying to drive a wedge between them, China and African countries have reached a broad consensus on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnerships, and they are continuing to solidify the Sino-African friendship and to stand firmly together on issues concerning each other's core interests such as sovereignty, security and development.
China-Africa relations go far beyond the bilateral sphere. China and African countries, as important members of the Global South, are committed to upholding international fairness and justice.
As Wang told his hosts in Brazzaville on Tuesday, China appreciates the unique role the Republic of Congo assumes in international affairs and is willing to work closely with the country to support Africa in achieving peace and stability, addressing climate injustice, advocating for a balanced and orderly multipolar world, and promoting inclusive economic globalization, so as to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
That being said, as Wang's ongoing Africa tour will continue to prove, China-Africa collaboration is not restricted to just natural resources and infrastructure, but also about their joint pursuit for a fair, just and inclusive international order and their shared impetus to promote the common development of the Global South, which accords with the common interests of the world, including the West.
