Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since the 2015 FOCAC Johannesburg Summit, China has fully implemented the ten cooperation plans adopted at the
Summit. A large number of railway, highway, airport, port and other infrastructure projects as well as a number of
economic and trade cooperation zones have been built or are under construction. Our cooperation on peace and
security, science, education, culture, health, poverty reduction, and people-to-people interactions has deepened.
The US$60 billion financing pledged by China has been either delivered or arranged. These ten cooperation plans
have brought huge benefits to the African and Chinese peoples. They have fully demonstrated the creativity, rallying
power and efficiency of China-Africa cooperation, and lifted China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative
partnership to new heights.
To build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, China will, on the basis of the ten
cooperation plans already adopted, launch eight major initiatives in close collaboration with African countries in the
next three years and beyond.
First, China will launch an industrial promotion initiative. We have decided to open a China-Africa economic
and trade expo in China; we encourage Chinese companies to increase investment in Africa, and will build and upgrade
a number of economic and trade cooperation zones in Africa. We will support Africa in achieving general food security
by 2030, work with Africa to formulate and implement a program of action to promote China-Africa cooperation on
agricultural modernization. We will implement 50 agricultural assistance programs, provide RMB 1 billion of emergency
humanitarian food assistance to African countries affected by natural disasters, send 500 senior agriculture experts to
Africa, and train young researchers in agri-science and entrepreneurs in agricultural business. We will support Chinese
companies in Africa to forge alliance of corporate social responsibilities. We will continue to strengthen cooperation
with African countries in local currency settlement and make good use of the China-Africa Development Fund,
the China-Africa Fund for Industrial Cooperation and the Special Loan for the Development of African SMEs.
Second, China will launch an infrastructure connectivity initiative. We have decided to jointly formulate a
China and Africa infrastructure cooperation plan with the African Union. We will support Chinese companies in
participating in Africa’s infrastructure development by way of investment-construction-operation or through other
models, with focus on enhancing cooperation on energy, transport, information, telecommunications and cross-border
water resources. We will work with Africa to undertake a number of key connectivity projects. We will support Africa
in developing the Single African Air Transport Market and open more direct flights between China and Africa. We will
facilitate bond issuance by African countries and their financial institutions in China. On the basis of following multilateral
rules and procedures, we will support African countries in making better use of financing resources of the Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank, the New Development Bank, and the Silk Road Fund.
Third, China will launch a trade facilitation initiative. We have decided to increase imports, particularly non-
resource products, from Africa. We support African countries in participating in the China International Import Expo.
The least developed African countries participating in it will be exempted from paying exhibition stand fees. We will
continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on market regulation and between customs authorities, and implement
50 trade facilitation programs for Africa. We will hold, on a regular basis, marketing activities for Chinese and African
brand products. We support the building of the African Continental Free Trade Area and will continue to hold free trade
negotiations with interested African countries and regions. And we will set up relevant mechanisms to promote
e-commerce cooperation with Africa.
Fourth, we will launch a green development initiative. We have decided to undertake 50 projects for green
development and ecological and environmental protection in Africa to expand exchanges and cooperation with Africa
on climate change, ocean, desertification prevention and control, and wildlife protection. A China-Africa environmental
cooperation center will be set up, and more policy dialogue and joint research on environmental issues will be
conducted. The China-Africa Green Envoys Program will be implemented to strengthen Africa’s human capacity
for environmental management, pollution prevention and control, and green development. A China and Africa bamboo
center will be established to help Africa make bamboo and rattan products. China will also work with Africa to raise
public awareness of environmental protection.
Fifth, we will launch a capacity building initiative. China will share more of its development practices with Africa and
support cooperation with Africa on economic and social development planning. Ten Luban Workshops will be set up in
Africa to provide vocational training for young Africans. China will support opening of a China and Africa innovation
cooperation center to promote youth innovation and entrepreneurship. A tailor-made program will be carried out to
train 1,000 high-caliber Africans. China will provide Africa with 50,000 government scholarships and 50,000 training
opportunities for seminars and workshops, and will invite 2,000 young Africans to visit China for exchanges.
Sixth, we will launch a health care initiative. China has decided to upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs
for Africa, particularly flagship projects such as the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and
Prevention and China and Africa Friendship Hospitals. Exchange and information cooperation will be carried out
on public health. Cooperation programs will be launched on the prevention and control of emerging and
re-emerging communicable diseases, schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. China will train more medical
specialists for Africa and continue to send medical teams that better meet Africa’s needs. More mobile medical
services will be provided to patients for the treatment of cataract, heart disease and dental defects. And targeted
health care services will be provided to women and children of vulnerable groups in Africa.
Seventh, we will launch a people-to-people exchange initiative. China decided to establish an institute of African
studies to enhance exchanges with Africa on civilization. The China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Plan will be
upgraded. Fifty joint cultural, sports and tourism events will be organized. China welcomes Africa’s participation in the
Silk Road International League of Theaters, the Silk Road International Museum Alliance and the Network of Silk
Road Art Festivals. A China-Africa media cooperation network will be established. More African culture centers will
be opened in China and more Chinese culture centers in Africa. Qualified African educational institutes are welcome to
host Confucius Institutes. More African countries are welcome to become destinations for Chinese tour groups.
Eighth, we will launch a peace and security initiative. China decided to set up a China-Africa peace and security
fund to boost our cooperation on peace, security, peacekeeping, and law and order. China will continue to provide
military aid to the AU, and will support countries in the Sahel region and those bordering the Gulf of Aden and the
Gulf of Guinea in upholding security and combating terrorism in their regions. A China-Africa peace and security forum
will be established as a platform for conducting more exchanges in this area. Fifty security assistance programs will be
launched to advance China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and in areas of law and order, UN
peacekeeping missions, fighting piracy and combating terrorism.
To make sure that these eight initiatives are implemented on the ground, China will extend US$60 billion of financing to
Africa in the form of government assistance as well as investment and financing by financial institutions and companies.
This will include US$15 billion of grants, interest-free loans and concessional loans, US$20 billion of credit lines, the
setting up of a US$10 billion special fund for development financing and a US$5 billion special fund for financing imports
from Africa. We encourage Chinese companies to make at least US$10 billion of investment in Africa in the next three
years. In addition, for those of Africa’s least developed countries, heavily indebted and poor countries, landlocked
developing countries and small island developing countries that have diplomatic relations with China, the debt they have
incurred in the form of interest-free Chinese government loans due to mature by the end of 2018 will be exempted.
