Xi Meets African Leaders - Breakdown of China-Nigeria Joint Statement & China-Zimbabwe Joint Statement

Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, September 04, 2024.

Today too, the bulk of the paper is dedicated to Xi Jinping’s meetings with African leaders. Like yesterday, there is a consolidated report on Xi’s meetings with a select set of African leaders, let’s go through the readouts one at a time. 

First, the Chinese readout of Xi’s meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto says:

“Xi Jinping suggested that the two sides should deepen the China-Kenya comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership by pursuing the goal of becoming ‘three types of partners’. 

• First, the two sides should carry forward friendship and be sincere partners of mutual trust. The two sides should firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty and independently exploring development paths suited to their national conditions.

• Second, the two sides should uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, and be cooperative partners of mutual benefit and win-win results. The two sides should closely synergize the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Kenya Vision 2030, build an East African connectivity hub and industrial belt, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as digital economy, new energy, economy, trade, poverty reduction and agriculture development.

• Third, the two sides should strengthen confidence and be strategic partners in upholding fairness and justice. The two sides should enhance communication and coordination on international and regional issues, work together to safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and promote regional peace and stability.

As per the readout, Ruto said: “China is welcome to continue to increase investment in Kenya and expand bilateral practical cooperation in various fields, especially cooperation in connectivity, new energy, youth and other areas. Kenya highly admires and actively supports a series of major global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping that have played an important leading role in strengthening solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and countries of the Global South. Kenya firmly pursues the one-China policy and is ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China and render firm support to each other.”

“During the summit, China and Kenya will sign a number of bilateral cooperation documents in financing, infrastructure and other fields.”

Second, the readout on Xi’s meeting with President of Chad Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno says that the two countries announced the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership.

Xi said: “China has been Chad's largest trading partner and investment partner for many years in a row, and bilateral practical cooperation has improved the well-being of the two peoples. China is ready to work with Chad to uphold the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, and push for new progress in China-Chad relations. Xi Jinping stressed that the Chinese side highly appreciates Chad’s firm support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns and will, as always, support Chad in pursuing an independent development path and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides should strengthen exchanges, expand consensus on ideas, consolidate political mutual trust and firmly support each other. Both sides should adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results and deepen practical cooperation. Chad is welcome to fully leverage the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit, deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, enhance independent development capacity and achieve common development. China is ready to work with Chad to implement the Global Security Initiative, safeguard national security and stability, and work together as a staunch force for peace.”

As per the readout, the Chad President said:

“Under the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has witnessed rapid development and increasingly rising international standing. Chad admires China's development achievements, appreciates a series of major ideas and initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and is happy to see China's continued development and growth. He believes that China's sustained development will bring more opportunities for the development of Chad, Africa and the world, which is crucial to leading the transformations of the world unseen in a century. Noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said that Chad will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle.”

In terms of deals, what’s on the table is agreements on the implementation of GDI, cooperation on human resources development, peanut and sesame export to China, and news and media.

Third, the readout on Xi’s meeting with Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says:

The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Malawi relations to a strategic partnership…Xi Jinping emphasized that China supports Malawi in exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions, and is ready to share with Malawi opportunities brought by Chinese modernization to help with Malawi's national development. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Malawi in agriculture, telecommunications, infrastructure and other fields, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Malawi. The two sides should make good use of the Confucius Institute at the University of Malawi to promote cultural exchanges and forge closer bonds between the people. China supports the smooth operation of the Consulate General of Malawi in Changsha and encourages the two sides to conduct more exchanges and cooperation at the sub-national level. China is also ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Malawi in international affairs and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”

Chakwera reportedly said “every time he comes to China, it feels like coming home”. He added that “the Belt and Road Initiative and other major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping have provided important opportunities for all countries to achieve common development and prosperity. Malawi stays committed to the one-China policy and supports China in safeguarding its own core interests.”

In terms of deals, the two sides are to sign agreements on peanut exports to China, news media, development cooperation and other fields.

Fourth, the readout on Xi’s meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani has Xi characterising the relationship as one of “good friends who trust each other and good brothers who help each other.” “China appreciates that Mauritania has stood firmly with China on issues concerning China’s core interests, and will continue to firmly support Mauritania in taking a development path that suits its national conditions.” 

He added that China is willing further cooperate under the BRI framework, “deepen cooperation in areas such as fisheries and infrastructure, give full play to the role of the agricultural and animal husbandry technology demonstration center in aid in Mauritania, accelerate cooperation in Juncao planting technology, and build China-Mauritania relations into a model of friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation between countries.” 中方赞赏毛方在涉及中方核心利益问题上同中方坚定站在一起，将一如既往坚定支持毛方走符合自身国情的发展道路。中方愿同毛方推进共建“一带一路”合作，深化渔业、基础设施等领域合作，发挥援毛农业、畜牧业技术示范中心作用，加快菌草种植技术合作，将中毛关系打造成国与国之间友好交往、合作共赢的典范.

He also talked about the FOCAC meeting enhancing “the voice and representation of the Global South in global governance” and “safeguarding international fairness and justice.”

As per the readout, Ghazouani said that “Mauritania firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely opposes all words and deeds that violate the one-China principle.” He added: “The world is currently facing numerous risks and challenges, and deepening cooperation with China is the hope for Mauritania and other countries to achieve sustainable development.” 毛方坚定恪守一个中国原则，坚决反对一切违反一个中国原则的言行. 当前世界面临诸多风险挑战，同中国深化合作是毛里塔尼亚等国实现可持续发展的希望所在.

“Mauritania and China have highly consistent positions on major issues such as Palestine. Both sides firmly oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries, call for respect for national independence and sovereignty, and oppose violent extremism. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, along with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, provide solutions for achieving common security and development among nations. Mauritania highly appreciates and actively supports these initiatives and looks forward to working closely with China to ensure the success of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, promoting peace and development in Africa and the world.” 毛中在巴勒斯坦等重大问题上立场高度一致。双方都坚决反对干涉别国内政，呼吁尊重各国独立自主，都反对暴力极端主义。习近平主席提出的共建“一带一路”倡议以及全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，为各国实现共同安全和发展提供了方案，毛方高度赞赏、积极支持，期待同中方密切协作，推动此次中非合作论坛北京峰会取得成功，促进非洲和世界的和平与发展.

Fifth, the readout on Xi’s meeting with AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat says:

“In recent years, China and the AU have continued to deepen political mutual trust and maintained close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Xi Jinping said that he is glad to see that the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aided by China for the AU, has been established and put into operation, contributing to Africa’s health cause as well as African people’s health and well-being. China supports the AU in playing a greater role in the cause of China-Africa friendship, and is ready to take this FOCAC Summit as an opportunity to push for more outcomes of China-AU cooperation in various fields and promote the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level. Xi Jinping stressed that the current transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. The Global South, including China and Africa, is growing stronger, injecting stability and positive energy into world peace and development. Africa is an important pole in the world and an important priority in China’s diplomacy. China is ready to enhance political exchanges with Africa, deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, share development experience and promote common development. Xi Jinping called on the two sides to strengthen solidarity and coordination, firmly support each other, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries.”

As per the readout, Moussa Faki Mahamat said: 

“For more than half a century, China has been firmly supporting Africa's struggle against colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination, providing valuable assistance to African countries in various fields such as infrastructure, health, energy, industry and security, and taking the lead in supporting the AU's accession to the G20, which the African side highly appreciates and sincerely thanks. For this reason, the African side firmly pursues the one-China policy and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. The Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and other series of major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are committed to helping people of all countries share peace and development opportunities, which is crucial to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among countries in the Global South and making the global governance system fairer and more equitable. The African side expects China to continue playing a key leading role and make greater contributions to helping Africa achieve modernization and world peace and development.”

Two other reports on the page. 

First, there’s a report on Xi’s meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. They announced the elevation of China-Nigeria ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Xi said that over the past fifty years, “China and Nigeria have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and embarked on a path of joint self-reliance and win-win cooperation”. 建交半个多世纪以来，中尼始终相互尊重、平等相待，走出一条联合自强、合作共赢之路.

“Xi Jinping emphasised that both sides should enhance strategic mutual trust, maintain a strategic and long-term perspective in viewing and developing bilateral relations, and firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns. They should strengthen the alignment of development strategies, form a new pattern of pragmatic cooperation with complementary advantages and mutual benefit, promote the coordinated and integrated development of infrastructure, energy and mineral industries, and create new growth points for cooperation such as digital economy and new energy. It is hoped that the Nigerian side will protect the safety of Chinese personnel and projects in Nigeria. It is important to strengthen cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding. China supports Nigeria in its efforts to combat terrorism and maintain regional stability, and hopes Nigeria will play a greater role in international and regional affairs. China is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with Nigeria to jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.” 习近平强调，双方要增进战略互信，坚持从战略高度和长远角度看待和发展双边关系，在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上坚定相互支持。要加强发展战略对接，形成优势互补、互利共赢的务实合作新格局，推动基础设施、能源矿产同产业联动融合发展，打造数字经济、新能源等新的合作增长点。希望尼方保护在尼中方人员和项目安全。要加强人文交流，增进相互认知。中方支持尼方打击恐怖主义、维护地区稳定，在国际和地区事务中发挥更大作用，愿同尼方加强多边协调配合，共同维护发展中国家利益.

As per the readout, Tinubu said that “Nigeria hopes to become China’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa. Nigeria welcomes more Chinese enterprises to make investments and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, mineral resources, energy and infrastructure in a bid to help Nigeria and West Africa achieve modernization and effectively get rid of poverty, and it is willing to provide sound security conditions for this purpose.” 尼方希望成为中国在非洲的最大贸易投资合作伙伴，欢迎更多中国企业赴尼投资，拓展农业、制造业、矿产能源、基础设施等领域互利合作，助力尼日利亚和西部非洲现代化建设，有效摆脱贫困，尼方愿为此提供良好安全条件.

He also said that “Nigeria firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to continue to firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests”. 尼方坚定奉行一个中国政策，愿同中方继续在涉及彼此核心利益问题上坚定相互支持. 

The two sides also issued a joint statement. Xinhua has the English text. Key excerpts:

• The Nigerian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any form of ‘Taiwan Independence’ or interference in the internal affairs of China and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

• The two sides reiterate their firm support to each other in independently seeking a development path that suits their own national interest and will further strengthen exchanges on experiences of governance. Nigeria highly commends that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have made great transformation through a Chinese path to modernization, and subscribes to the opinion that the Chinese path to modernization expands options of development and solutions of practices for mankind in seeking modernization. They also commended each other’s efforts towards the prioritization of sustainable development and economic growth through the implementation of various developmental initiatives aimed at achieving poverty alleviation and enhanced food security.

• Nigeria applauds and supports the vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. Both sides pledge to support each other’s efforts in multilateral affairs, including the UN, the G20 and BRICS. Both sides agree to support the increased calls for UN Security Council reforms with balanced geographical representation to reflect current geo-political realities. Both sides agree that human rights, including the right to development, are a common cause for all humanity and oppose the politicisation of human rights issues, i.e. the interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

• China supports the West African countries in addressing differences through friendly dialogue and consultations and to carry forward the regional integration. In this regard, China also urges other international actors to refrain from actions that could turn the region into a space for geopolitical contestation.

• China supports the import of more quality products from Nigeria into its market. Nigeria is willing to strengthen its partnership with China in the development of energy and mineral resources and to work with Chinese companies to set up plants in Nigeria to meet local consumption and export needs. China will encourage more competent Chinese companies to invest in Nigeria to contribute to the diversified and dynamic development of Nigeria’s economy.

• Nigeria welcomes the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Global Initiative on Data Security proposed by the Chinese side and appreciates China’s efforts in promoting the rights of developing countries in artificial intelligence, network, data and other fields.

• The two sides agree to deepen cooperation on the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries. China proactively supports Nigeria in developing its domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports and free trade zones, towards achieving integrated development and connectivity for industries. The two sides will make joint efforts to fully support Nigeria’s geographical and development advantage in West Africa to establish Africa’s flagship projects on cross-national and cross-regional cooperation.

• The two sides encourage flexible and diverse regional and monetary and financial cooperation such as local currency swaps, to facilitate trade between China and Nigeria and make contributions to global financial stability. The two countries agree to carry out international cooperation on financial intelligence on anti-monetary laundering/ countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and support Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the order of its financial and foreign exchange markets and to crack down on financial crimes, including money laundering.

• China commends Nigeria’s leading role in ECOWAS and its efforts towards bringing stability to the region, it supports Nigeria to play a strong leading role in the regional affairs including fight against terrorism and managing differences. The two sides agreed to stay committed to safeguarding peace, security and stability in the region, including the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.

• China supports Nigeria in its capacity building, such as upgrading its science and technology for its military equipment and intelligence gathering expertise, to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and abroad, as well as at the regional and international levels. The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between security agencies to enhance their capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests and make joint efforts to maintain regional and world peace.

The deals inked between the two sides cover BRI, GDI implementation, peanut export to China, and news and media cooperation.

Finally, there’s a report on Xi’s meeting with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. As per the readout, Xi said that China-Zimbabwe “cooperation has achieved remarkable results, becoming a model of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.” He added: “both sides should uphold the original intention of friendship and build a ‘five-star iron-clad’ 五星铁杆 cooperation framework, across the pillars of political, economic, security, cultural, and international cooperation, to jointly establish a high-level China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future.” 双方要秉持友好初心，构建以政治、经贸、安全、人文、国际协作为支柱的“五星铁杆”合作架构，携手构建高水平中津命运共同体.

China supports Zimbabwe in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, opposes foreign interference and illegal sanctions, and is willing to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Zimbabwe and continue to firmly support each other. China is willing to deepen the docking of development strategies with Zimbabwe, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in investment, trade, infrastructure, energy and minerals, clean energy, digital economy and other fields, build a China-Africa interconnection network, and help Zimbabwe and Africa enhance their independent development capabilities. China is willing to continue to provide scholarships for outstanding Zimbabwean students to study in China to promote people-to-people exchanges. China highly appreciates Zimbabwe’s support for various global initiatives and propositions proposed by China, congratulates Zimbabwe on its assumption of the rotating presidency of the Southern African Development Community, and is willing to strengthen international cooperation with Zimbabwe, promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and jointly defend international fairness and justice. 中方支持津方维护主权、安全、发展利益，反对外来干涉和非法制裁，愿同津方加强治国理政经验交流，继续坚定相互支持。中方愿同津方深入对接发展战略，拓展投资、贸易、基础设施、能源矿产、清洁能源、数字经济等领域互利合作，打造中非互联互通网络，助力津巴布韦和非洲提升自主发展能力。中方愿继续为津巴布韦优秀学生来华学习提供奖学金，促进民心相通。中方高度赞赏津方支持中方提出的各类全球倡议和主张，祝贺津巴布韦担任南部非洲发展共同体轮值主席国，愿同津方加强国际协作，弘扬和平共处五项原则，携手捍卫国际公平正义.

Xi added that China “supports Africa in becoming an important pole of world political, economic and civilizational development”.

Mnangagwa was full of praise. He said that “under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has made great development achievements, and many Chinese technologies and enterprises are at the leading level in the world. The series of important reform measures launched by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will not only further enhance the well-being of the Chinese people, but will also have a significant impact on the future of the Global South and even mankind.” 在习近平主席领导下，中国取得伟大发展成就，很多中国技术和企业在世界处于领先水平。中国共产党二十届三中全会推出的系列重要改革举措，不仅将进一步增进中国人民福祉，也将对全球南方乃至人类的未来产生重大影响.

“Zimbabwe is willing to strengthen exchanges in party and state governance experience with China, deepen cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, minerals, new energy and other fields, and help Zimbabwe’s modernization process. Zimbabwe thanks China for speaking up for Zimbabwe on international occasions, appreciates China’s constructive role in international and regional affairs such as the Ukrainian crisis and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, supports the series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to work closely with China in multilateral cooperation. Zimbabwe adheres to the one-China principle… 津方愿同中方加强治国治党经验交流，深化基础设施、农业、矿产、新能源等领域合作，助力津巴布韦现代化进程。津方感谢中方在国际场合为津方仗义执言，赞赏中方在乌克兰危机和巴以冲突等国际地区事务上发挥建设性作用，支持习近平主席提出的系列全球倡议，愿同中方密切多边协作。津方坚持恪守一个中国原则，愿继续做中国在南部非洲的坚定亲密朋友，同中方一道推动津中全面战略合作伙伴关系取得更大发展。预祝此次中非合作论坛北京峰会取得圆满成功，成为促进非中合作的战略性成果.

The two sides issued a joint statement. Xinhua has the English text. Key excerpts:

• Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, the two countries have maintained high-level development of bilateral relations, deepened traditional friendship, further strengthened political mutual trust, firmly supported each other on issues of core interests, achieved fruitful outcomes in their practical cooperation, and coordinated closely on international affairs, setting a fine example of China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation. The China-aided New Parliament Building Project and National Pharmaceutical Warehouse Project, and the China-funded Hwange Power Station Expansion Project, Robert Mugabe International Airport Expansion Project, and NetOne National Mobile Broadband Phase III Project were well implemented, and are the epitome of bilateral practical cooperation.

• The two sides reaffirmed staunch support for each other to pursue a development path suited to their respective national conditions, and opposition to external interference in the internal affairs of both countries. Zimbabwe highly commends the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the people-centered development philosophy of the Communist Party of China, and spoke highly of the great achievements that have seen China  score significantly in economic and social development over the past 10 years and more, including the historic elimination of absolute poverty in China, which marks an outstanding contribution to the poverty alleviation and development endeavor of mankind. Zimbabwe recognizes the whole-process people’s democracy practiced in China ensures that the Chinese people enjoy the broadest democratic rights and are the true masters of the country. Zimbabwe holds the view that the Chinese path to modernization offers a new option for developing countries in their pursuit of modernization.

• “The two countries have consistently and firmly supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. China reaffirms its firm support for Zimbabwe’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and calls on the United States and other Western countries to remove all the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe as soon as possible. Zimbabwe underscores that unconditional support for the one-China principle remains a hallmark of its foreign policy, and recognizes that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China. Zimbabwe firmly opposes any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ and reiterates the position that it will not engage in any form of official interaction with Taiwan and will support all efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification. Zimbabwe opposes any action that undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and reaffirms its support for China’s positions on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang. Zimbabwe highly appreciates the support by China in resisting the illegal sanctions imposed by the United States and other Western countries.

• Zimbabwe highly commends and firmly supports the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, mining, environmentally friendly traditional and new energy, transportation infrastructure and policy consultation under the framework of the GDI. The two sides pledged to play active roles within the Group of Friends of the GDI to accelerate the initiation and implementation of co-funded projects such as the Juncao technical assistance, Rural Community Solar e-Facility program, and Upgrading of Irrigation Facilities. China will support Zimbabwe’s industrial upgrade and self-generated sustainable development by encouraging more competitive Chinese enterprises to invest in Zimbabwe.

• The two sides agreed to sign the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Avocado to China. China welcomes more quality Zimbabwean agricultural products to enter the Chinese market.

• The two sides will enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the mining sector, including sharing of experiences on policies related to the regulation of rare earth and strategic minerals. Zimbabwe will further improve and optimize its business environment, and welcomes Chinese businesses to invest in Zimbabwe’s development of new energy value chains, so as to support Zimbabwe’s efforts to upgrade industrial chains and boost its capability for self-generated development.

• The two sides agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Investment and Economic Cooperation Working Group, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Unimpeded Trade Working Group, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development under the framework of the China-Zimbabwe Joint Economic and Trade Committee. 

• On GSI, the statement says: “The two sides agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation, and the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as climate response, food security, disaster prevention and mitigation, and mediation of international disputes. China will provide a new batch of emergency food assistance to support Zimbabwe in coping with drought and food crisis”.

• Zimbabwe supports the Global AI Governance Initiative proposed by China.

• Under GCI, the document says: “The two sides agree to cooperate in the preservation of ancient cultural heritages, folklore and traditional knowledge as they form the bedrock of human civilization. China and Zimbabwe acknowledge the importance of strengthening exchanges and cooperation in such fields as science, education, art, sports, media and tourism. The two sides agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on Media Exchange and Cooperation. Zimbabwe commends the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations established at the proposal of China.” It also talks about cooperation in health and talent development.

• Zimbabwe highly appreciates and firmly supports the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping, commends President Xi Jinping for championing the humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, and endorses China’s call for an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

• Zimbabwe highly commends China for being the first G20 member state to support the AU’s full membership in the G20.

• Zimbabwe appreciates the important role played by China in promoting political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and supporting the Palestinian people’s just cause, and is willing to actively support and join the Common Understandings on Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis to promote deescalation and create conditions for a ceasefire. Both sides share the view that the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine should not shift global attention from other hotspots across the world including in Africa.

On Page 2, there’s a report (related English report) with comments from Liu Yuxi, special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs. Liu talked about the expectations from the FOCAC meeting. Liu said that the meeting plans to adopt two outcome documents, namely the Declaration and the Action Plan. 

“These documents, Liu stressed, will uphold the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy. Bilateral trade between China and Africa reached a historic high of $282 billion last year, while China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and is its largest export destination. Moreover, China’s stock of investment in Africa has reached $400 billion, showcasing the resilience and vitality of China-Africa cooperation against a challenging economic backdrop.”

SCMP’s report on this says the following:

“Speaking ahead of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Liu Yuxi said that when confronted with ‘great transformation in our world’, China and Africa would work together to promote peace, contribute to global development, and defend the international order. ‘In the face of surging hegemonism and cold war mentality, China and Africa will work more closely together in great solidarity to deepen our cooperation,’ he said. ‘We will give each other stronger support on issues concerning our core interests and major concerns, and work side by side to safeguard the shared interests of all developing countries’.”

Another report on Page 2 informs that the 8th China-Africa Entrepreneurs Conference will be held on the sidelines of the summit on September 6. More than 400 business representatives from more than 40 African countries have been invited to this event.

Other Stories:

First, China and the United States will hold the second meeting of the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s. US Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta will visit China from Sept. 4 to 6 and co-chair the meeting with China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin. 

Second, the full text of the Shanghai Declaration of the 2024 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges is available. Five key points:

1. The participants supported BRI, GDI, GSI and GCI, saying that these “have offered concrete and workable pathways toward building a community with a shared future for mankind.”

2. “The participants spoke positively of China's proposal of humanity's common values, i.e. peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom.”

3. “The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 must be observed by all member states. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.”

4. “Climate change is a global challenge that requires a joint response by all countries within the multilateral framework.”

5. “Protectionist measures violate the laws governing economic development and market principles, and are not conducive to global economic development.”  

As per the report more than 200 people, including 49 foreign parliamentarians from 43 countries on five continents, attended the forum.