On September 4th to 6th, 2024, the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) was held in Beijing. This summit, themed Join Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, brought together leaders from China and Africa to strengthen friendship, discuss cooperation, and look towards the future. Among the attendees was Ouyang Riping, senior advisor on China-Africa cooperation from Shaoyang City People’s Government, who was invited to participate in the related activities of the Beijing Summit.
Established in 2000, the FOCAC has become a gold-standard of China-Africa cooperation and a significant banner for South-South cooperation. This summit marked another grand gathering of the China-Africa friendship family after the 2006 Beijing Summit, the 2015 Johannesburg Summit, and the 2018 Beijing Summit. It was one of the largest and most attended international diplomatic events held in China in recent years and the first major international event held at such a scale and level in recent times.
On the afternoon of September 4th, Mayor Hu Xiaogang of Shaoyang City led a delegation of 16 people, including Ouyang Riping, to attend the 2024 Côte d’Ivoire-China Economic Forum. Vice President Koné of Côte d’Ivoire attended the event and delivered a speech. Other speakers included Ambassador Dosso of Côte d’Ivoire to China, Minister of Trade-Industry Diarra Sory, and Ambassador Wu Jie of China to Côte d’Ivoire.
In the evening, a project investment cooperation and docking meeting between Shaoyang City People’s Government and the Côte d’Ivoire Government was held at the Pearl Hall of Shangri-La Hotel. The meeting was hosted by the Deputy Secretary of the People’s Government, Xie Hongjun. Ouyang Riping introduced the Shaoyang City’s investment in Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural product processing and green energy projects, with an estimated total investment of 9.6 billion US dollars, to be completed within four years.
Representatives from the Côte d’Ivoire Trade-Industry Ministry, the Export Agency, the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in China, and the Economic Department of the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire also attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Deputy Mayor Hu Xiaogang of Shaoyang City attended and gave a speech.
This event highlighted the deepening of China-Africa cooperation and the fruitful outcomes of the Beijing Summit. It demonstrated the strong commitment of both countries to advancing economic development, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, and promoting common development. The summit provided a platform for China and Africa to explore new opportunities for cooperation and build a closer partnership.
As a professional journalist and editor with experience in Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, CCTV, and other prominent news media, it is essential to recognize the significance of such events. The Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is a testament to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between China and Africa. It serves as a reminder that, through mutual understanding, respect, and support, the two sides can achieve even greater success in the future.
In conclusion, the invitation of Ouyang Riping from ‘Xifan Huasheng’ to attend the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum highlights the importance of such events in fostering stronger ties between China and Africa. The summit’s focus on cooperation and mutual development sets the stage for a prosperous and stable future for both sides.
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