China/Africa Relations: China to deepen alignment of development strategies with African countries; rejects “debt trap” narrative

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Wednesday met with African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting is part of Qin’s whirlwind tour of Africa.

“The meeting marked the 10th anniversary of the principles of China’s Africa policy sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, which was put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visited Africa for the first time in 2013”, said Qin. “During that period, China-Africa relations have achieved historic milestones and entered a new era of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.”

Qin Gang rejected the debt trap accusation, saying China has always been committed to helping Africa ease its debt pressure.

“China and Africa are good brothers who share the same destiny, and the two sides stand side by side on the road of common development”, Qin said. “Through actively participating in the G20 debt service suspension initiative, signing debt suspension agreements or reaching a consensus on debt suspension with 19 African countries, China has suspended the largest amount of debt among G20 countries. China has also actively participated in the G20 common framework to deal with individual cases of debts for Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia.”

“To solve the debt problem in Africa, we must not only treat the symptoms through debt disposal and other means, but also address the root causes, that is to enhance Africa’s independent and sustainable development capacity. China’s financing cooperation with Africa mainly involves infrastructure construction and productive fields, focusing on improving Africa’s independent and sustainable development capabilities. The so-called ‘debt trap’ is a narrative trap imposed on China and Africa.”

He said 2023 marks a new beginning, which will see China start a new journey of building a modern socialist country. The African Union and African countries will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Chinese side is willing to work with the African side to speed up the implementation of the outcomes of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and promote the deepening development of cooperation in the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”, Qin put forward four suggestions:

The first is to accelerate the promotion of China-Africa physical exchanges and shared ideas.

Qin indicated that the Chinese side would expand exchanges and cooperation with its African counterparts in various fields, back South Africa as rotating chair of the BRICS, and support Uganda in hosting the Summit of Non-Aligned Countries. The two sides will further deepen exchanges and mutual learning of governance and development experience, firmly support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, and lay a solid foundation for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

The second is to continuously deepen the friendly relationship between China and the African Union. China is expected to provide new opportunities for Africa with its own modernization and continue to support the African Union in leading African countries to take a development path that suits their own national conditions.

During the meeting, Qin said China was willing to deepen alignment of development strategies with African countries and the African Union Commission, hoping to boost the process of African integration. This was demonstrated by China backing the African Union’s membership in the G20 and supporting the AU and African countries in playing a greater role in the global governance system.

The third is to promote the upgrading of China-Africa cooperation. China will accelerate the implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC, continue to expand trade with Africa, promote the high-quality development of China-Africa financial and investment cooperation, strengthen new momentum in the areas of health, green development, and digital economy, and provide more assistance in Africa’s economic and social development.

The fourth is to firmly defend the unity and cooperation of developing countries. Both sides will uphold the principles of self-confidence, self-reliance and the common values of mankind, oppose hegemony, bullying and racial discrimination, jointly maintain true multilateralism, promote the democratization of international relations, and strengthen the representation and amplifying the voice of developing countries, particularly African countries, in international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council. The two sides will work together to promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction.

According to a World Bank report, multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors hold nearly three-quarters of Africa’s overall external debt, making up the bulk of Africa’s debt. Qin said it’s time for those lenders to do what they can to help Africa.

“They can and should play a greater role in alleviating Africa’s debt problems. China calls on all relevant parties to contribute to easing Africa’s debt pressure in accordance with the principle of “joint action and fair burden”.