China never pursues selfish geopolitical gains in Africa: Wang Yi

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China never pursues selfish geopolitical gains in Africa and would never impose its will on others.

Wang made the remarks at the opening of the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, which was attended by foreign ministers and other high-level officials from some 50 African countries.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the opening of the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. [Photo: IC]

China always values Africa, respects Africa and supports Africa, and China’s approach to cooperation with Africa had been different to that of traditional powers, Wang stressed.

China and Africa have similar history, struggles and development tasks, Wang said, adding that China-Africa cooperation is a mutual understanding between brothers, a mutual support between friends, and a pioneer and model of South-South cooperation in the world.

Wang pointed out that the blueprint for China-Africa cooperation in the new era has been worked out and the key lies in implementation.

A general view of the venue for the opening of the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. [Photo: IC]

China is willing to work with Africa to build a community with a shared future for mankind, strengthen the alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative with Africa's development plans, and firmly uphold multilateralism and oppose protectionism and bullying, Wang stressed.

"We always believe that China-Africa cooperation is part of the international cooperation with Africa. It will not only contribute to the common development and shared interest between China and Africa, but also create conditions for greater international cooperation," Wang noted.

"China will encourage the international community to treat Africa equally and increase investment in Africa. We will work with others, and help with the development and rejuvenation of African countries and make life more colorful and rewarding for the African people," he concluded.