"The Western modernization process has brought profound suffering to the vast majority of developing countries,” Xi told the 51 African leaders gathered in Beijing on September 05, 2024. “As the world undergoes changes unseen in a century, we stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, to resolutely defend each other’s legitimate interests.”
1. Xi pledged over $50 billion in financial support for Africa over the next 3 years, calling China-Africa ties the "best in history".
2. He proposed elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and advancing modernization initiatives that are "open and mutually beneficial".
3. Xi vowed to create 1 million jobs for Africa and support 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent.
4. African leaders praised China's no-strings-attached cooperation, which has greatly promoted Africa's development, and firmly support China's position on Taiwan.
5. Xi dismissed Western allegations of "debt trap diplomacy," asserting that these claims are unfounded and politically motivated, echoing sentiments from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who stated, “I don’t necessarily buy into the notion that when China invests, it is with an intention of ensuring that those countries end up in a debt trap.” This reflects a broader rejection of the narrative by many African leaders who emphasize the positive impacts of Chinese investments on infrastructure development.
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