The Pan Africanist Watchman

China’s massive infrastructure investments in Africa are driving the continent’s economic growth, an African Development Bank (AfDB) official said on February 1.

AfDB Secretary-General Vincent Nmehielle told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that China has financed infrastructure projects through bilateral agreements with African countries as well as via multilateral development financial institutions.

“Overall, I expect the infrastructure projects to be able to open up economies in a way that enables the country to perform, if it is a road or bridge it makes movement of goods easier and this is a driver for growth,” he said during a media briefing on progress achieved in preparations for the 59th Annual Meeting of the AfDB that is scheduled to take place in Nairobi on May 27-31.

The meeting is expected to host about 4,000 delegates representing finance ministers from African countries, senior AfDB officials, development partners as well as the private sector.

Nmehielle added that finance from China has complemented funding from other foreign donors as well as domestic resources in reducing Africa’s infrastructure development gap that is estimated at 170 billion U.S. dollars annually.

China and AfDB jointly developed the Africa Growing Together Fund to finance development projects in Africa.

Wang Yi meets with President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis

 On January 30, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President of the 78th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Dennis Francis in Beijing.

Wang Yi welcomed Francis’s visit to China and said that China is a staunch advocate of multilateralism, a firm defender of the UN Charter, and a firm practitioner of international law.

China will, as always, support the UN’s centrality in the global governance system, and the UN General Assembly in playing a more active and important role in accordance with the UN Charter, and support Francis’s work as President of the UN General Assembly.

Wang Yi said, the world today is afflicted with changes and turmoil and faces unprecedented multiple challenges, and the global development process has taken a marked setback.

China actively calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, promotes global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and stands for greater representation and voice of developing countries.

China will continue to stand firmly on the side of developing countries and make its own efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights of developing countries.

Noting that the United Nations will hold the Summit of the Future this year, Wang Yi said China hopes the summit will devise practical solutions to current prominent and pressing global issues.

China will actively promote the alignment of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative with the UN agenda, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and work with other countries to reactivate and accelerate the global development process and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang Yi said that since the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, the United Nations and its specialised agencies have observed the one-China principle. China appreciates this and opposes any remarks and actions that are inconsistent with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758.

Francis said, the United Nations always abides by the one-China principle, which is the core cornerstone and top priority of the UN system. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and the UN will not deviate from the one-China principle in any form.

Francis thanked the Chinese government for its long-term support for the United Nations and multilateralism and appreciated the important initiatives and propositions put forward by China. During its rotating presidency of the Security Council in November last year, China successfully promoted the Security Council’s first resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli situation, making important contributions to the maintenance of peace.

China is committed to a people-centered philosophy and sustainable development, which is highly in line with the UN vision. The United Nations will hold the Summit of the Future in September this year, aiming to promote peace and stability as well as development and prosperity of all countries.

China’s development achievements have attracted worldwide attention and its successful experience is worth being learned by other developing countries. The United Nations is willing to deepen cooperation with China to jointly address global challenges and promote the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts New Year reception 2024

On January 31, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the New Year Reception 2024 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

More than 400 people attended the event, including diplomatic envoys from various countries to China, representatives of international organisations in China and their spouses, as well as representatives of Chinese government departments.

Wang Yi said in his speech that the year 2023 witnessed instability and transformation in the world, but, more importantly, there was impetus for development and progress. Having emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the world values exchange even more dearly.

Having experienced crises and conflicts, the world pursues peace even more resolutely. “More countries and peoples have come to realise that we humanity are in it together come rain or shine, and the future of the global village lies in our own hands.”

Over the past year, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China’s diplomatic service has risen to challenges and forged ahead with a great sense of responsibility. China has stayed committed to dialogue and cooperation and served as a staunch pillar in healthy interactions between major countries.

China has acted on the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and proven a reliable partner in jointly building the Asian home. China has pursued progress for all and stayed a steadfast member of the Global South.

China has stayed committed to promoting peace talks and served as a critical force for world peace. China has stayed committed to open development and served as a powerful engine of global recovery.

The Chinese people and people from around the world have supported each other on the journey forward. China opened its door wider to share its development opportunities and to welcome friends from around the globe with open arms, thus injecting much-needed stability and positive energy to the world, and making new contributions to safeguarding world peace and advancing common development.

Wang Yi said, the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is also a crucial year in advancing Chinese modernisation on all fronts.

It was made clear that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era.

China stands ready to work with all countries, for the future of humanity and for the well-being of the people, to cement the foundation of peace and security, pool strength for friendship and cooperation, follow the right path of multilateralism, and build a future of development and prosperity.