Fifty African countries and China on Saturday wrapped up a landmark summit vowing to push for homegrown solutions to solve Africa’s peace and security woes.
The leaders met for what South African President Jacob Zuma dubbed “historic” talks, aimed at bolstering ties between the continent and its major trading partner.
In a declaration adopted in Johannesburg, the leaders pledged to “continue to support each other on security matters and maintain peace and security.”
“We remain committed to seeking the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation, and China supports Africa in its efforts to solve African problems through African solutions,” they said in the declaration.
They agreed to implement an Africa-China peace and security plan and “support the building of the collective security mechanism in Africa.”
Forty-eight leaders attended the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which was held for the first time in Africa.
China offered a US$60 billion financial package to target 10 areas, including industrialization, infrastructure, financial services, poverty reduction and peace and security.
Of the overall financial package, US$60 million is to go toward supporting the building of the African Union’s new 25,000-strong multinational standby force, which can respond to crises across the continent.
In January, China deployed a peacekeeping battalion to South Sudan.
South Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Barnaba Benjamin described China’s peacekeeping mission to his country under the auspices of the UN as “a fundamental change in the foreign policy of China.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) told the closing session of the talks that “China and Africa are important forces for maintaining world peace and tranquility, and promoting world development and prosperity.”
“We have the responsibility and the capability to play a bigger role in international affairs,” he added.
Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed al-Dairi welcomed China’s expanding role in Africa from just economic and infrastructure to peace and security.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the decisions of the meeting had “upgraded the partnership to a higher strategic level” and “will alter the trajectory of our continent so significantly.”
Leaders at the summit dismissed suggestions that China was exploiting African resources and becoming a de facto new colonizer.
“That’s nonsense,” Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told China’s CCTV. “China never colonized Africa or anyone. It is them [the West] who plundered Africa and they are still doing so up to now.”
“China is offering win-win partnerships in Africa, and we will benefit from it,” he added.
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