Chinese FM’s New Year Visit:

A Lasting Tradition for an Enduring Friendship

By Yi Xin

As we enter 2025, China’s diplomacy once again starts with a trip to the African continent. This fine tradition of making Africa the first destination of the year for China’s Foreign Minister’s visit overseas has been an unwavering and unparalleled feature of China’s diplomacy for the past 35 years. Building on the momentum generated for the overall China-Africa relations at the Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last September, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria is yet another affirmation of China’s commitment to the continent and the Global South.

A Bond of Genuine Friendship

The friendship between China and Africa is rooted in similar historical experiences, founded on mutual respect, and underpinned by a shared vision for national development and a better life for the people.

Back in the 1970s, it was the steadfast support of African nations that facilitated the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the U.N., a historical moment affectionately remembered as China being “carried into the U.N. by African brothers.”

China, on its part, has stood shoulder to shoulder with Africa through the decades. From the fight for national sovereignty, freedom, and independence during the colonial days to the pursuit of revitalization and urbanization in the new era, China has extended both moral support and tangible assistance to Africa, whenever and wherever needed.

The FOCAC Beijing Summit last September marked another milestone in China-Africa relations: China’s bilateral relations with all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China was elevated to a strategic level, and the overall characterization of China-Africa relations was raised to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

A Partnership for Mutual Gains

Unlike what is touted by some, China-Africa cooperation is anything but “transactional.” Rather, it is about building a shared future where both can thrive; it is about creating a partnership not only beneficial in the short term but sustainable in the long run; and it is about ensuring that the benefits of development are accessible to all and not exclusive to a few.

From the ten cooperation plans, the eight major initiatives and the nine programs to the recently announced ten partnership actions, more and more ambitious measures have been put forward under the FOCAC framework to energize the development of African countries through China-Africa practical cooperation. With synergy forged between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, China-Africa cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes, benefiting all African countries with diplomatic relations with China and more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people.

The CBD of the New Administrative Capital in Egypt, the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, the headquarters of the Africa CDC in Ethiopia, the No.1 National Highway in the Republic of the Congo, Luban Workshops, massive and diverse renewable energy projects, and significantly, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for 33 least developed countries in Africa…all these projects and initiatives stand as testament to a win-win China-Africa partnership.

A Commitment to Everlasting Friendship

In the vast constellation of China-Africa friendship, the bond between China and Namibia stands out as a luminous example, and reflects the deep trust and shared values that underpin the broader China-Africa partnership.

The traditional friendship between China and Namibia was forged in as early as the 1960s when Namibia was fighting for national independence. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1990 only one day after Namibia hosted its independence celebration. Over the past 35 years of diplomatic ties, they have been continuously strengthening their traditional friendship. Particularly with the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018, cooperation between the two countries expanded into wider areas and gained new momentum.

The two countries’ cooperation under FOCAC is well-aligned with Namibia’s National Development Plans and Vision 2030. The four China-assisted schools in Zambezi and Kavango West have improved access to school education for local children. The many infrastructure projects China has participated in have made economic and social contribution to Namibia, bringing better jobs and services and improving people’s lives. Following the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Nangolo Mbumba in Beijing last September, the two countries agreed to foster new cooperation highlights in areas like agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, mining, and science and technology, which will surely deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.

A Vision for a Shared Future

As exemplified by Namibia, Africa is a continent of hope and opportunity. With its potential fully unlocked, Africa is set to embark on a journey toward greater prosperity, which will undoubtedly contribute positively to global development and the progress of humanity.

In this process, China has been, and will continue to be, a wholehearted partner for Africa. In particular, given the unprecedented changes in the global landscape, stronger cooperation between China and Africa can provide the certainty and stability that the world desperately needs.

In this context, Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit presents an excellent opportunity to plan for the future of China-Africa relationship and carry forward China-Africa friendship, which, in the words of Namibian Ambassador to China Dr. Elia Kaiyamo, is a “patriotic obligation and historical mission” for generations to come.

Yi Xin is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator.

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