China summit furthers AU development plan

Strengthened China-Africa
relations following South
Africa’s hosting of the Forum
on China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC) last week will boost
the continent’s quest for
industrialisation and skills
development.
Delivering the opening
address at the Sixth
Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC
last week, the Minister of
International Relations
and Cooperation, Maite
Nkoana-Mashabane, said
that Africa’s relations with
China had already had a big
impact on addressing Africa’s
development challenges,
including infrastructure
development and skills
development exchange.
“Agreements reached
during the FOCAC summit
have significantly boosted
the African Union’s
implementation plan of
Agenda 2063, which is
designed to achieve key
deliverables such as improving
railway connectivity, road
infrastructure, sea ports
and air transportation and
developing agriculture and
agro-processing, amongst
others,” she said
Chinese foreign affairs
minister, Wang Yi, added
that China reiterated the
country’s commitment to
investing in Africa’s trade and
development. He pointed out
that there were currently over
3 000 Chinese companies with
interests in Africa.
CAPTION
Joining hands… from left Gao Hucheng, China’s Minister of
Commerce; Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister
of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-
Mashabane; and Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies. Photo: DIRCO