Tag Archives: Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

Business, Regional

Chakwera satisfied with FOCAC 2024 outcomes

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

By Chikondi Chimala

BEIJING-(MANA)-President Lazarus Chakwera has described the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), as a highly successful Summit.

Chakwera said the 2024 Summit exceeded his wildest dreams as it produced tangible results that would help transform Malawi in areas that need support including infrastructure development, trade and agriculture among others.

“It was pleasing and exciting to note that China has opened up its huge market with 1.4 billion people as Malawi we will take advantage of this with our Agriculture, Tourism and Marketing (ATM) key priority areas to get a slice of the cake to achieve our much-needed development goals.”

We will take up the initiative focusing on agriculture mechanization, modernisation, industrialisation, and value addition to create a base for driving up our export potential,” said Chakwera.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), President Chakwera said he was going back to Malawi a happy person and would not rest on his laurels but make sure that Malawi claims a fair share of the cake as promised by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Delivering his keynote address during the opening session of the Summit, Xi Jinping, promised that China would open up its huge market to African exports and also provide support to Africa in 10 technical areas to help improve trade and cooperation between China and Africa as well as offering over $51 billion to support implementation of the specified areas.

Said Xi Jinping: “To implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB360 billion yuan of financial support through the next three years. This breaks down into RMB210 billion yuan of credit line, RMB80 billion yuan of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB70 billion yuan of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.”

The president also met the management of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO) at their headquarters in Beijing who he requested to consider investing in Malawi’s energy sector. 

“Malawi has enormous potential to generate more energy from solar, wind and geothermal sources,” said President Chakwera, who is in China to attend the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. 

“Your expertise could provide us with the alternative sustainable power sources that we need. We believe that partnering with GEIDCO is crucial for Malawi to further develop the energy sector by utilizing clean energy sources,” he added. 

President Chakwera emphasized that energy is critical for Malawi to realize its Vision 2063, which is being driven through the ATM strategy (Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining). He stated that a minimum electricity demand of 2,200 megawatts for mining, manufacturing, and domestic consumption is necessary.

GEIDCO Chairman and President of the China Electricity Council Xin Baoan said his organisation is ready to collaborate with the Malawi government to create a better future. 

Baoan said his organisation is already exploring opportunities to develop Malawi’s energy interconnections to foster integrated growth across the “power-mining-metallurgy-manufacturing-marketing” sectors. 

Malawi, Regional

Chakwera goes straight into business in Beijing, meets Chinese Veep Zheng

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

By Chikondi Chimala

BEIJING-(MANA)-Vice President of the Peoples Republic of China, Han Zheng, has hailed President Lazarus Chakwera for enhancing relations between the two countries.

Zheng was speaking Monday evening at the Diaoyutai State Guest House when he held bilateral talks with President Chakwera and also hosted him and his delegation to a welcome dinner for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

“We are pleased to welcome you again to China for the Focac Summit. This comes after meeting you during your successful visit in June last year when you delivered the keynote address at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE).

“Relations between our two countries continue to improve and President Xi Jinping looks forward to further discussing more areas of cooperation with you tomorrow during your meeting”, said Zheng.

President Chakwera hailed the support from China and the ever-improving relations between Malawi and China that were formally established in 2008.


Said Chakwera, “Malawi is incredibly thankful to China for its generous support of numerous influential projects in our country, facilitated through grants and concessional loans during our nearly two decades of diplomatic relations.

China has successfully implemented vital infrastructure projects in transportation, education, healthcare and energy. This includes the duplication of the M1 road from Mchinji Roundabout to Kanengo, through grant funding, and the National Fibre Backbone Project II through a concession loan.

The president also hailed the Chinese government which has already conducted a feasibility study for the construction of the Judiciary Complex in Lilongwe through grant financing which he said Malawi awaits a positive response.

Chakwera also expressed Malawis support for the inclusion of the Belt and Road Initiative in this years FOCAC Summit as particularly it emphasizes infrastructure development and regional connectivity projects.

The 2024 FOCAC Summit will among others focus on building relations and cooperation in supporting Africas industrialization, energy and trade as a priority, talent development, accelerating agricultural modernization, belt and road cooperation and agenda 2063 of the African Union, modernization and mutual learning among civilizations, political, peace, and security cooperation as well as poverty reduction.

President Chakwera arrived in Beijing China through the Beijing Capital International Airport earlier on Monday and was welcomed by among others Cao Shumin, Head of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, Beijing Municipal Vice Chairman, Mr. Han, Malawis Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo and Malawi Ambassador to China Allan Chintedza.

The President is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday and is expected to hold meetings with various industry captains and partners with a view of fostering developments in Malawi.

Focac was instituted in 2020 to foster relations between China and the 53 African nations and the African Union (AU) and is held every six years while the ministers conference is held every three years

Politics, Regional

Chakwera safely lands in Beijing for China-Africa Cooperation Summit

MaraviPost

BEIJING-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus has arrived in Beijing, China, to join several African leaders to participate in the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, Chakwera was welcomed by Ms. Cao Shumin, Head of Administration for Radio, Television, and Film of the Chinese government, as well as other Chinese officials, Nancy Tembo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Wang Shifting and Malawian Ambassador to China Allan Chimtedza.

President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, will preside over the official opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit.

FOCAC aims to gather China and African leaders to engage in high-level discussions focused on enhancing strategic communication and coordination, thereby reinforcing the foundation for the continued development of China-Africa relations, as stated in press release from the Department of Foreign Affairs

The 2024 forum, themed ” Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High- Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” will serve as a platform to promote mutual cooperation.

Leaders from numerous African countries and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission will lead delegations to the Summit, while ÜN Secretary- General António Guterres will attend as a special guest.

The conference is set to become an important event, pooling extensive consensus between China and African nations to address shared challenges and build a robust platform for development opportunities.

The 2024 FOCAC marks a significant opportunity for both sides to embark on a new journey toward modernisation, highlighting their commitment to strengthening ties and mutual collaboration.

As leaders gather in Beijing, China expresses its readiness to leverage this crucial moment to elevate the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to unprecedented heights.

Together, China and Africa seek to send a powerful message to the global community about their commitment to participating in and leading the reform of the global governance system.

“Through our partnership, we can tackle challenges that transcend borders, ensuring that development opportunities are accessible to all,” said Chen Xiaodong, Vice Foreign Minister during a media briefing ahead of the summit.

China aims to foster a deeper understanding, cultivate affinity and strengthen the friendship between the peoples of China and Africa.

The summit is envisioned as a comprehensive dialogue that will enable African and Chinese leaders to collectively shape the future trajectory of international cooperation.

As the summit unfolds, participants will engage in discussions centered around economic development, sustainable growth, and strategies for enhancing trade and investment between China and Africa.

Established in 2000, the Forum serves as a partnership platform between China and 53 African states and has successfully occurred eight times since its inception, with the most recent edition held in 2021 in Dakar, Senegal