China-Africa summit 2024: What’s in it for Beijing, and for Africa?
Al Jazeera
Beijing is looking to woo African countries with more investment dollars in exchange for better access to raw minerals.
African leaders are converging in China this week for an anticipated high-level meeting with President Xi Jinping as Beijing continues to befriend and expand its influence on the continent amid a silent face-off with Western countries.
The China-Africa summit, which will last from September 4 to 6, will see leaders of African countries meet and discuss policies and cooperation agreements with officials from the continent’s biggest lender and investor. Those agreements will set the tone for the two side’s burgeoning relations for the next few years.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the conference is the “largest diplomatic event” the country has hosted in recent years with the highest attendance of foreign leaders, adding that it was a “grand reunion of the China-Africa big family”.
Agreements in past summits have unlocked unrivalled access to Africa’s raw material markets for Beijing, as well as investment dollars for African countries.
“China shall never waver in its determination to pursue greater solidarity and cooperation with Africa,” the statement added.
