On August 24, 2023, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping co-chaired the China-Africa Leaders Round Table Dialogue with the theme “Promoting African Integration and Jointly Building a High-Level Africa-China Community with a Shared Future.” The event was initiated by the Chinese government to emphasize their political commitment to African regional and continental integration.
Prominent figures gathered to discuss developmental challenges
The roundtable brought together prominent figures from various African regions, including the Chairs of the eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the African Union Chair, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Chair, and the African Union Commission Chairperson. Their participation highlighted the importance of addressing developmental challenges and engaging with the Chinese Head of State and Government to devise strategies for supporting regional economic growth.
President Ramaphosa directs political discourse
As Co-Chair, President Ramaphosa actively directed the political discourse, ensuring that relevant messages on African development reached Chinese authorities. He emphasized several crucial points, such as the significance of China-South Africa bilateral relations and the connection between the BRICS Summit’s outcomes and the Roundtable’s discussions.
Furthermore, President Ramaphosa accentuated the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as the principal platform for Africa-China engagement, emphasizing its role in supporting the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 and the importance of joint monitoring and evaluation. He also acknowledged the transformative impact of infrastructural development on the African continent and urged FOCAC to support the North-South Corridor projects of the Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI).
Key priority areas for development outlined
As Africa enters the second decade of Agenda 2063, President Ramaphosa outlined key priority areas for development, including the full operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and urging specific Chinese support in this regard. He also called for enhanced cooperation in international affairs and multilateral institutions, such as upholding the UN-based global system and UN Security Council Reform aimed at overall African development.
Collaborative efforts for a stronger future
The China-Africa Leaders Round Table Dialogue marked a pivotal moment in fostering political commitment and collaboration between China and the African continent. With both leaders’ dedication to addressing developmental challenges and promoting integration, the event emphasized the potential for a stronger, more prosperous future for Africa and China. As we reflect on the dialogue’s success and its implications for the international community, it is evident that such initiatives pave the way for a brighter, more harmonious world.
