Defense, Jusice and Security Minister Kagiso Mmusi flanked by Foreign Secretary and Namibia's High Commissioner
The Pan Afrikanist Watchman
China will work with Africa to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, uphold international fairness and justice, promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative, and build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
This was said by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory letter to the Second China-Africa Peace and Security Forum that was held on 25th July.
President Xi said that realizing enduring peace and universal security is a common aspiration of the Chinese and African peoples.
China has always worked to develop relations with Africa, with a commitment to upholding the greater good in the pursuit of shared interests and following the principles of sincerity, pragmatism, affinity and good faith.
China is ready to work with its African friends to adhere to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
Upon invitation by China’s Ministry of National Defence, Botswana Minister of Defence and Security Hon. Kagiso Mmusi attended the second China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on 25th July via video link.
China-Africa Think Tanks Forum held in Beijing
On 20th July, the 11th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum opened in Beijing. China’s Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.
He said that at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC last year, President Xi Jinping summed up the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
“In the past few decades, we have upheld this spirit and achieved a large number of noticeable and tangible outcomes in China-Africa development cooperation, benefiting the well-being of people”.
The two-day meeting focused on the theme of ‘Promoting the Spirit of China-Africa Friendship and Cooperation with Joint Action on the Global Development Initiative’.
Senior Chinese diplomat attends “Nelson Mandela International Day” Commemoration
On 18th July, Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of China’s Foreign Ministry Wu Peng, upon invitation, attended the “Nelson Mandela International Day” commemorative activity held by the South African Embassy in China.
Wu hailed Mr. Mandela’s contributions to the peace and reconciliation of mankind, the emancipation of Africa and the development of China-Africa relations.
He said that China has always held high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and actively implemented the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and will continue to support the cause of peace and development in Africa, further strengthen solidarity and coordination with Africa, achieve win-win cooperation and bring more benefits to the Chinese and African peoples.
20th CPC National Congress to set China’s main tasks in next 5 years
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), scheduled for the second half of this year, will look ahead to China’s two-stage development plan toward the middle of the 21st century and outline strategic tasks in the next five years in particular.
Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remarks at a workshop for provincial and ministerial officials, held from 26th to 27th July.
President Xi said the 20th CPC National Congress will be a very important event taking place at a crucial moment, with China embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country.
He called for efforts to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and write a “brand new chapter” of fully building a modern socialist country.
The 20th CPC National Congress will make arrangements on strategic tasks for the country and important measures to be taken in the next five years, a period that is crucial for achieving the Party’s second centenary goal.
President Xi presides over symposium for soliciting advice on economic work
Chinese President Xi Jinping on 25th July presided over and addressed a symposium for soliciting opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and economic work in the second half of the year from non-CPC personages.
President Xi said that China’s economy is resilient, has great potential and is full of vitality and the fundamentals of the Chinese economy will remain sound in the long run.
Xi fully affirmed the economic achievements made in the first half of the year and stressed effectively coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development.
He underlined upholding the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, the full, accurate and comprehensive implementation of the new development philosophy, deepening the supply-side structural reform, accelerating the building of a new development paradigm, and advancing China’s high-quality development.
China successfully launches Wentian lab module to its space station
China successfully launched its space station lab module Wentian, the largest spacecraft ever developed by the country, into orbit on 24th July.
The Long March-5B Y3 rocket, carrying Wentian (which means “quest for the heavens”), blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China’s Hainan Province.
About eight minutes later, the lab module separated from the carrier rocket and entered its preset orbit. The China Manned Space Agency (CMS) declared the launch mission a complete success.
With a length of 17.9 meters, a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters and a takeoff weight of 23 tonnes, the Wentian module is the largest, and heaviest spacecraft China has developed.
The lab module will provide a bigger platform for scientific experiments in space. It is mainly for space life science research. The module is equipped with laboratory cabinets for life ecology, biotechnology and variable gravity science.
Xi sends congratulatory letter to World Youth Development Forum
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the World Youth Development Forum on 21st July. Xi said that the youth represent hope and are the architects of the future.
China always regards young people as the driving force of social development and encourages them to unleash their youthful vitality when participating in and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Xi expressed his hope that the forum will become an important platform where young people worldwide can contribute to global development.
He also called on the youth to promote the Global Development Initiative with concrete actions and facilitate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The forum was held online and offline from 21st to 23rd July, with nearly 2,000 youth representatives from over 100 countries in attendance.
Chinese premier vows further efforts to deepen opening-up
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the Special Virtual Dialogue with Global Business Leaders hosted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Beijing on 19th July, vowing China’s further efforts to deepen high-level opening-up and foster a market-oriented world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework.
Li stressed that it is important to enhance unity and coordination, firmly defend and promote economic globalization, deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and advance balanced, inclusive and sustainable development that delivers for all.
The dialogue was moderated by Executive Chairman of the WEF Klaus Schwab. Nearly 400 business leaders from over 50 countries participated.
China puts forward Initiative on Global Food Security
When attending the Group of Twenty (G20) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Bali Island on 8th July, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi expounded on China’s stance on food and energy security, and put forward a cooperation initiative on global food security on behalf of the Chinese side.
Wang said that food and energy bear on the sound performance of the world economy and the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Under the current situation, the G20 should shoulder its due responsibility and establish a partnership on commodity cooperation. He put forward eight proposals:
