AU Leaders and Moussa Faki Reaffirm Support for One-China Principle at FOCAC Summit

AU Leaders and Moussa Faki Reaffirm Support for One-China Principle at FOCAC Summit

Mr. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), has called on African nations to continue embracing the One-China Principle as a means of strengthening China-Africa relations. Faki made this statement during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, held in Beijing.

The summit, themed “Join Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” highlighted the mutual commitment to advancing modernization and shared values between China and Africa.

Faki emphasized the importance of peaceful processes to achieve national unification and meaningful growth. “China and Africa share similar historical challenges, and our joint commitment to independence and economic prosperity will shape our future together,” he said.

Senegalese President Bassirou Faye, co-chair of FOCAC since 2018, also reaffirmed the strong bond between China and Africa, citing the long-standing friendship and cultural ties that have sustained their partnership. Faye encouraged African nations to strengthen political and economic solidarity, particularly through China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has impacted key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and education.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Chair of ECOWAS, acknowledged China’s continued support for African development, both financially and culturally. He emphasized the importance of maintaining economic ties and mutual respect in overcoming global challenges.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised FOCAC as a key platform for realizing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which focuses on modernization and development across the continent. He noted that FOCAC plays a critical role in enhancing interconnectedness through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

President Denis Sassou of the Republic of the Congo and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu commended China’s commitment to Africa, particularly in addressing challenges like poverty reduction and infrastructure development. Suluhu highlighted China’s efforts in supporting Africa’s growth, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the China-Africa partnership as a catalyst for economic growth, emphasizing the potential for collaboration in areas like technology, finance, and sustainable development. Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s support for the partnership, which aligns with goals of peace, human rights, and development.