CGTN Français invited African journalists around a round table in the program “Let’s decrypt modern China”. Coming from Sao Tome and Principe, Ivory Coast and Senegal, participants in the discussion focused on the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the results of China-Africa cooperation in 2024 and Global South cooperation.
Africa and China pursue exemplary cooperation that allows each party to benefit mutually. During the year 2024, the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Beijing, reaffirming a common desire of the two parties to walk together to face the challenges of development, peace and of climate change. To appreciate the dynamism of cooperation ties between Africa and China, CGTN Français gave the floor to African journalists. They are Abel Tavares da Veiga, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper Tela Non of Sao Tome and Principe, Souleymane Diam Sy, journalist of the daily Le Soleil in Senegal and Agbadou Tanguy Gildas Gahie, journalist at the Ivorian Agency of Press in Ivory Coast. The round table, co-presented by CGTN French journalists Wu Mengyu and Karim Badolo, opened discussions on FOCAC 2024. Overall, the three participants welcomed the holding of this major diplomatic meeting between the Africa and China.
According to Abel Tavares da Veiga, Sino-African cooperation has a considerable impact on the progress of the world economy. Through an exchange framework like FOCAC, China and the 53 African countries have a say in global development. For him, Africa has enormous agricultural potential which needs to be developed through the modernization of the sector. And China is an ideal partner in this process of agricultural modernization. Taking the example of his country, Sao Tome and Principe, Mr. Tavares indicated that China has contributed to the modernization of the agricultural sector. According to him, China applies the principle of “learning to fish instead of giving fish” in its cooperation with Africa. This philosophy, he said, has left visible imprints in his country through the empowerment of women and development initiatives in the agricultural and livestock sectors. Abel Tavares da Veiga recalled that Africa and China have always maintained economic ties through the ancient Silk Roads. In his opinion, the latest edition of FOCAC was a success as diplomatic relations between African countries and China were elevated to the rank of strategic partnership.
On the same note, Agbadou Tanguy Gildas Gahie of the Ivorian Press Agency declared that the ten partnership actions for the benefit of Africa for the next three years cover a wide spectrum of areas ranging from economy to culture , including safety, health and the environment. “The Partnership Action for Human and Cultural Exchanges reflects a strategy of strengthened cooperation between China and Africa in the fields of vocational training, education, culture and technological innovation. As for my country, Côte d'Ivoire, we hope to derive considerable benefits from this multifaceted cooperation with China,” said Mr. Gahie. To hear him say, the results of China-Africa cooperation are interesting to the extent that China finances major development projects on the continent. “The future prospects of China-Africa cooperation are promising, as the China-Africa economic relationship is undergoing remarkable development. Beyond the impressive trade figures, it is a strategic partnership that is being built and which is marked by new ambitions and new challenges,” suggested the Ivorian journalist.
“Very appreciable benefits”
For Souleymane Diam Sy of the daily Le Soleil in Senegal, the 9th edition of FOCAC was crowned with success with very appreciable economic benefits. The fact for China to release 50 billion dollars for the benefit of Africa attests, according to him, to the dynamism of cooperation between the two parties. “The FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) integrates the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, the African Development Bank's Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ZLECAF) in FOCAC. He praised the dynamism of bilateral cooperation between Senegal and China. According to the Senegalese journalist, China has largely contributed to accelerating the process of anchoring the continent in modernity. His wish, he said, is to see this partnership continue and that the benefits can benefit the populations. “Sino-African cooperation is dynamic. It is called to strengthen itself. The zero customs tariff on 100% of African products, which has already come into force for around thirty countries and for others shortly, constitutes a great prospect. Chinese consumers need African products. We must make it easier for them to purchase these products,” said Souleymane Diam Sy.
Regarding Global South cooperation, the three colleagues maintained that this configuration calls for balance in global governance. The Global South must make itself heard and defend its interests. In the opinion of Souleymane Diam Sy, the Global South refers somewhat to a multipolar and multilateral international order and it is impossible to talk about global development without taking into account the aspirations of the Global South which is a reality.
A new lease of life against poverty
The creation of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty on the occasion of the G20 summit marks, according to the Ivorian journalist, an unprecedented mobilization to eradicate these scourges by 2030. “The Alliance has given the mission of strengthening food security, the fight against malnutrition, supporting small farmers and promoting financial inclusion. For me, the ambition of the Alliance is laudable,” said Mr. Gahie.
Regarding the eight actions launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 summit, Souleymane Diam Sy maintained that they are part of three major initiatives: global development, world peace and world civilizations. For Abel Tavares da Veiga, the eight actions proposed by the Chinese president are structuring initiatives, because they aim to promote sustainable and inclusive development of the world. In addition, Africa's priorities are taken into account in these actions.
The three journalists also discussed the role that the media must play in promoting Global South cooperation. For them, the media must be the voice of this large group which advocates for inclusive governance where the interests of all parties are taken into account.
On the 10th anniversary of the concept of China's major country diplomacy, roundtable participants unanimously recognized the role of China's leader in promoting a stable and prosperous world. For them, Chinese diplomacy is concerned with peace and development in the world for the benefit of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Source: CGTN French
