A dance performance during this year's Africa Day celebration held in Beijing, May 25, 2024. [Photo courtesy of African Union Representative Office in China]

"Africa Day is an important annual event in celebration of the African people's struggle for independence and unity," noted Chen Xiaodong, vice minister of foreign affairs, at the Africa Day celebration held in Beijing on Saturday. 

Themed "Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century," this year's event highlighted the significance of education and skill development in shaping Africa's future. To promote Africa's education system, China has contributed substantial investments for the building of schools, vocational training facilities and other educational infrastructure across the continent. 

Apart from education, strengthening unity and cooperation with Africa in various fields is also an unwavering strategic choice for China, Chen emphasized.

In terms of economic collaboration, China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for the last 15 years. Chen noted that in the first four months of this year, China-Africa trade reached $95.4 billion, up by 4.1% year on year, with Chinese imports from Africa standing at $39.5 billion, up by 11.4% year on year.

Chen also mentioned the importance of recent growth in people-to-people exchange programs, saying that events such as the China-Africa Youth Festival and "Here is Africa" tourism promotion campaign have further enhanced mutual understanding and affinity between the Chinese and African people. 

He added that, through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and African Union's (AU) Agenda 2063, China will continue to work in solidarity with Africa toward a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

Martin Mpana, dean of the foreign diplomatic corps in China and Cameroon's ambassador to China, stressed the leading role China has played in empowering Africa's human resources. He encouraged Chinese state-owned and private enterprises to welcome African students and trainees to undertake practical internships that would complement the theoretical knowledge they have learned in educational institutions. 

Mpana perceived the upcoming summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is scheduled to take place in Beijing in September, as a good opportunity to discuss how to enhance Africa's educational strength and transfer related Chinese-produced technologies to Africa.

Additionally, Mpana applauded China's move to become the first G20 member to clearly and unequivocally declare its support for membership of the African Union.

Africa Day falls on May 25 every year. The event was set to mark the establishment of the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the AU, on May 25, 1963.

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