On eve of FOCAC summit, China urges closer Africa ties to counter ‘surging hegemonism’

Dozens of African leaders are gathering for ‘major diplomatic event’ in Beijing as China projects growing solidarity with developing economies

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The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is billed as the biggest diplomatic event to be held by China in years. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00pm, 3 Sep 2024

China and Africa should work together to defend the interests of developing economies to counter “surging hegemonism”, China’s special representative for African affairs said on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Liu Yuxi said that when confronted with “great transformation in our world”, China and Africa would work together to promote peace, contribute to global development, and defend the international order.

“In the face of surging hegemonism and cold war mentality, China and Africa will work more closely together in great solidarity to deepen our cooperation,” he said.

“We will give each other stronger support on issues concerning our core interests and major concerns, and work side by side to safeguard the shared interests of all developing countries.”

Liu’s comments came amid a broader campaign by Beijing to position itself as a leader of developing nations, a move viewed by some observers as seeking to challenge the Western-led order.

On the same day, China and South Africa urged greater representation of developing countries in the UN Security Council, citing the “legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries to play a greater role in international affairs”.