China Invites Indonesia to Support African Countries, Global South Partners

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China invites Indonesia to jointly support African countries and other Global South partners in achieving development and prosperity.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, conveyed the statement during a press conference on the sidelines of the 2024 FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) Summit taking place in Beijing on September 4-6, 2024. 

The summit brings together China, 53 African countries, and the representatives of the African Union to convene and discuss cooperation between these countries. Previously, Indonesia also hosted the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali on September 1-3 to call for a Global South solidarity.

"China and Indonesia are both major developing countries and important members of the Global South," added Mao Ning on Wednesday.

The Global South refers to developing and low-income countries in Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania, often marginalized politically or culturally. The “Global South” phrase marks a shift from a primary focus on cultural differences to an emphasis on geopolitical power relations.

“In conducting cooperation with Africa, China is committed to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the right approach to friendship and interests,” Mao Ning said.

China and Africa, Mao Ning said, have actively implemented the outcomes of FOCAC. These efforts contribute significantly to the common development of China and African countries and deliver tangible benefits to both. They have also laid a solid foundation for the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

FOCAC is an official cooperation forum between China, 53 African countries (excluding Eswatini), and the African Union. It was first established in 2000 in Beijing and holds a triannual head of state/government level summit.

In 2024, the FOCAC Summit raises the theme "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Building a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." 

Beijing said that since FOCAC was established, Chinese companies have helped African countries build or upgrade over 10,000 km of railways, 100,000 km of highways, 1,000 bridges, and nearly 100 ports. In addition, agricultural technology from China is said to have succeeded in increasing local crop yields by an average of 30-60 percent. 

Meanwhile, based on data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from December 2021 to July 2024, China's imports from Africa reached US$305.9 billion. China has also been Africa's main trading partner for 15 consecutive years. 

ANTARA

Editor’s Choice: Jokowi Receives Visit from Vale Indonesia Officials at Palace   

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News