Beijing wants the continent to be a stage for international cooperation, not great power competition
Bolstering Beijing’s investment in Africa’s development and modernization during his first overseas trip, China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday the continent should not become a battleground for other countries. rival world powers.
Qin began a five-country tour in Ethiopia on Wednesday, inaugurating the new headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC) built by Chinese engineers. While in Addis Ababa, he met with the Ethiopian leader and visited the headquarters of the African Union. He is expected to visit Egypt, Angola, Benin and Gabon before returning to China.
“Africa should be a big stage for international cooperation, not an arena of great power competition,” Qin said at a press conference with AU Committee Chairman Moussa Faki.
Qin, China’s former ambassador to the US, became foreign minister last month. He continued the tradition of traveling to Africa as the first foreign destination in the new year, which he noted went on for 33 years without interruption.
Speaking at the opening of the Africa CDC, he outlined Beijing’s vision for relations with Africa, saying the two will always have a common future. “no matter how the international environment changes.”
“Today, the world, our times, and our history are changing in ways never before. The collective rise of developing countries is irreversible. Qin adds that China and Africa should “oppose hegemony, bullying, high-handedness and racism, while working together to defend true multilateralism and promote greater democracy in international relations.”
Qin stressed that Beijing’s policy is based on Chinese principles “sincerity, practical results, friendship and good faith, and the pursuit of greater good and common good.”
China “do not make empty promises, the less you force others to do against your will,” he said in a speech at CDC Africa. “When it is handed over to our African friends, the Africa CDC headquarters will be completely run and managed by the AU without any interference from China.”
The United States and its European allies – many of whom were once colonial powers in Africa – have long accused China of practicing “Debt Trap” diplomatic. After meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Qin announced that China would write off part of Addis Ababa’s debt.
Last year, Beijing canceled 23 loans to 17 African countries. Ethiopia has borrowed nearly $14 billion from China since 2000 and has been seeking relief since 2021, citing the devastation caused by the conflict in Tigray.
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