Chinese President Xi Jinping and African Leaders Sign Railway Agreement at Beijing Summit
Beijing, China – On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway. This event took place during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.
The TAZARA railway, which spans 1,860 kilometers from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, was originally built with a USD 400 million interest-free loan from China.
The three-day summit, held from September 4-6, is the ninth edition of FOCAC and is considered one of the largest diplomatic events hosted by China in recent years. The summit occurs amidst ongoing conflicts in Africa, West Asia, Ukraine, and China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific region.
During the summit, Xi Jinping also met with several other African leaders, including Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Xi emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation and expressed China’s willingness to work with these countries to achieve modernization and strengthen strategic partnerships.
On Tuesday, China and Nigeria elevated their relationship to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership.’ Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his hope that Nigeria would become China’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa. He welcomed increased Chinese investment in agriculture, manufacturing, and mineral energy to help reduce poverty in Nigeria.
Additionally, the Chinese Export-Import Bank is financing 85% of the USD 5.8 billion Mambilla hydroelectric plant in Nigeria, which is expected to be the country’s largest power plant upon completion in 2030.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Xi Jinping agreed with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to elevate their bilateral relationship.
This summit is seen as an opportunity for China to position itself as a leader of the Global South and an alternative to the US, especially amidst rising tensions with Washington. China aims to make Africa a key market for its green technology, including solar panels and electric vehicles.
In 2021, China pledged to import USD 300 billion worth of goods from Africa by 2024. Many leaders attending the summit are from countries with significant international debt, including Chinese loans, and are seeking more investment and trade to boost their economies.
Since 2013, Xi Jinping has made five visits to Africa and has hosted at least 20 African leaders in China since 2023.
Doubts Revealed
Xi Jinping -: Xi Jinping is the President of China, which is a big country in Asia. He is like the leader of the country, making important decisions.
Samia Suluhu Hassan -: Samia Suluhu Hassan is the President of Tanzania, a country in Africa. She is the first woman to hold this position in Tanzania.
Hakainde Hichilema -: Hakainde Hichilema is the President of Zambia, another country in Africa. He became president in 2021.
MoU -: MoU stands for Memorandum of Understanding. It’s like an agreement between two or more parties to work together on something.
TAZARA railway -: The TAZARA railway is a train line that connects Tanzania and Zambia. It was built to help transport goods and people between the two countries.
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) -: FOCAC is a big meeting where leaders from China and African countries come together to talk about how they can work together and help each other.
Beijing -: Beijing is the capital city of China. It’s where many important government buildings and meetings are held.
Global South -: The Global South refers to countries that are not as rich and developed as countries in the Global North, like the USA and Europe. It includes many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Green technology -: Green technology means using new ways to make energy and do things that are good for the environment, like solar panels and electric cars.
Nigeria -: Nigeria is a country in Africa. It is one of the most populated countries on the continent and has a lot of natural resources like oil.
Comprehensive strategic partnership -: A comprehensive strategic partnership is a very close and important relationship between two countries, where they work together on many different things like trade, security, and technology.