Beyond Beijing: How Anhui Province is Advancing China-Africa Cooperation
IRAZ Admin
From October 30 to November 5, 2024, the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-Up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the Foreign Affairs Office of the Anhui Provincial People’s Government, and the Anhui Academy of Governance hosted a seminar on Chinese Modernization and African Development. The event brought together 49 representatives from across Africa to foster dialogue and collaboration.
Located in east-central China, Anhui Province, also known as “Wan,” spans 140,000 square kilometers and is home to approximately 72 million people. As a cradle of Chinese civilization, Anhui is playing a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s modernization efforts. The province is actively building capacity in integration, cultural exchange, openness, manufacturing, and technological innovation, solidifying its position in China’s modernization journey.
The Evolution of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
Since the first FOCAC in 2006, the platform has faced skepticism but has grown to become the most significant multilateral framework for South-South cooperation. The 2024 Beijing Summit reaffirmed its importance, with President Xi Jinping elevating China-Africa relations to an “all-weather and all-round China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
At the summit, President Xi announced 10 partnership actions for 2025–2027, encompassing:
Civilization Exchanges
Trade Prosperity
Industrial Chain Cooperation
Connectivity
Development Cooperation
Health Initiatives
Agriculture
People-to-People Exchanges
Green Development
Security
Notably, China removed all tariffs on imports from 33 African countries, committed to expanding market access for African agricultural products, and deepened cooperation in e-commerce. Moreover, a $50 billion financial package was pledged, encompassing investments, aid, and credit lines—marking a 25% increase in China’s financial commitment to Africa.
Anhui’s Contribution to China-Africa Cooperation
In Anhui Province, the seminar on Chinese Modernization and African Development was given equal significance. Through warm hospitality, it was evident that China and Africa are charting a path toward deeper collaboration. Speaking at the Anhui Academy of Governance, Mr. Liu Yuxi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs, emphasized the shared goals of modernization and openness between the two regions.
He highlighted the alignment between China’s modernization principles and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, underscoring six key drivers of modernization:
1. Just and Equitable Development
2. Mutually Beneficial Cooperation
3. People-Centered Progress
4. Diverse and Inclusive Growth
5. Eco-Friendly Innovation
6. Peaceful Development
Mr. Liu also stressed that FOCAC serves as a critical pathway for realizing modernization goals for both Africa and China.
Strengthening Ties Through Engagement
Throughout the seminar, tours and site visits to local areas such as the Anhui Museum, Fangxing Community, Dawan village and Xianghongdian reservoir provided participants with firsthand insights into Anhui’s industrial and cultural advancements. These interactions reinforced the understanding that China and Africa are vital partners in the pursuit of mutual progress. The forum underscored the significance of FOCAC as a platform for fostering peaceful, shared development in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
As Anhui Province continues to contribute to China-Africa cooperation, it exemplifies the potential of localized initiatives in advancing broader international goals, cementing the shared vision of a prosperous future for both regions.