Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is kicking off 2024 with his 11th consecutive annual visit to Africa, reinforcing Beijing’s commitment to the continent. From January 13 to 18, he’ll meet leaders in Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire, followed by stops in Brazil and Jamaica—nations with strong African cultural ties.
📅 Since 1991, China’s top diplomats have prioritized Africa for their first overseas trip each year, a tradition Wang Yi has upheld since 2013. This consistency, experts say, reflects a partnership built on ‘steady dialogue and mutual growth’ rather than short-term gains. 🛠️
Despite Western criticism of China’s role in Africa (remember the ‘debt trap’ narrative?), cooperation continues to thrive. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), established in 2000, has delivered tangible results: over 70% of goals from the 2018 Beijing Summit were met by 2021. 💡
From infrastructure projects to BRICS collaboration, China and Africa share a vision as the world’s largest developing economies. As one analyst put it: ‘When two giants align, the global south listens.’ 🌱
Next stop? The 2024 FOCAC summit, where new deals on trade, tech, and green energy could reshape South-South partnerships. Stay tuned! 🚀
