At 8pm Beijing time on June 17, President Xi Jinping presided over a special summit. This is the third time he has attended an international multilateral conference since the war. Facing the worst global public health emergencies since the end of the Second World War, Chinese and foreign leaders crossed different time zones and gathered together through video to discuss plans for solidarity in anti-epidemic and narrate Sino-African brotherhood.
Which foreign leaders attended this special summit?
The China-Africa Solidarity Anti-epidemic Summit was jointly initiated by China and the African Union’s rotating chairmanship, South Africa, and China-Africa Cooperation Forum’s co-chairman, Senegal.
The African Union is short for the African Union and currently has 55 member states. In February of this year, South African President Ramaphosa took over as the African Union’s rotating chairman for a period of one year. The AU Commission is the permanent administrative body of the AU. On the evening of the same day, Chairman of the African Union Commission Faki was also invited to attend the special summit.
△ Great Hall of the People. (Photographed by Shi Cheng, CCTV reporter)
The China-Africa Cooperation Forum was established in 2000 and currently has 55 members from China, 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, and the AU Commission. At the 2018 Beijing Summit, Senegal took over as the co-chair of the forum. In February of this year, President Xi sent a letter to Senegalese President Saler to congratulate the China-Africa Cooperation Forum on its 20th anniversary.
△The scene before the special summit. (Photographed by Shi Cheng, CCTV reporter)
Leaders of African countries such as the member states of the African Union Summit Bureau and the rotating presidency of important subregional organizations in Africa also attended the special summit that evening. The list includes: Egyptian President Sisi, Congolese President Zisekdi, Algerian President Teben, Gabon President Bongo, Kenyan President Kenyatta, Mali President Keita, Niger President Isoufu, Nigerian President Buf Harry, Rwandan President Kagame, Zimbabwe President Mangangwa, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abbi.
△ National flags and flags of international organizations. (Photographed by Duan Dewen, CCTV reporter)
That evening, UN Secretary General Guterres and WHO Director General Tan Desai attended the meeting as special guests. Prior to this, the heads of these two international organizations had jointly attended the opening ceremony of the G20 Leaders' Special Summit on New Coronary Pneumonia and the 73rd World Health Assembly video conference with President Xi.
Unity! Unity! Still united!
That night, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech entitled "Unite in Fighting against Epidemic Diseases and Overcoming Difficulties" . President Xi said that at the most difficult time for China to fight the epidemic, Africa has sent precious support, and we have to bear in mind. After the outbreak of the African epidemic, China took the lead in supporting it and stood firmly with the African people. He reiterated that no matter how the international situation changes, China's determination to strengthen China-Africa solidarity and cooperation will never be shaken.
This is the familiar voice of African brothers. Five years ago, President Xi said at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that despite the emergence of various threats and challenges, the determined will of China and Africa to share the same storms and difficulties together will not change.
△Chairman Xi Jinping delivered an important speech here. (Photographed by CCTV reporter Peng Hanming)
Since the outbreak, President Xi Jinping has made five phone calls with leaders of four African countries including Ethiopia, Egypt, Namibia, and South Africa. "Unity" is a high-frequency word. On the evening of May 15th, during a phone conversation with South African President Ramaphosa, President Xi said that under the current situation, China and Africa need more destiny in common, unite against the epidemic, and overcome difficulties than ever before. China will continue to stand firmly with African brothers and sisters. Ramaphosa responded that China is a true friend and a partner that South Africa and African countries can rely on when facing difficult challenges.
△On April 30, South African President Ramaphosa personally experienced wearing protective equipment purchased from China, and expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its vigorous assistance in the smooth delivery of materials. (From the social media of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa)
At this special summit, China and Africa issued a united voice. President Xi Jinping said that unity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons to fight the epidemic. We are opposed to politicizing the epidemic and labeling the virus, opposing racial discrimination and ideological prejudice, and firmly defending international fairness and justice. The "Joint Statement" issued by the summit said that the African side supports China's position on the Taiwan and Hong Kong issues and supports China's efforts to maintain national security in Hong Kong according to law.
The brothers are concentric and their profits are broken. As President Xi said at the summit, in the face of the epidemic, China and Africa are more united, and friendship and mutual trust are more consolidated.
Cooperation! Cooperation! Still cooperate!
At present, both China and Africa are faced with the arduous task of fighting the epidemic, stabilizing the economy and protecting people's livelihood. President Xi pointed out at the summit that in order to overcome the impact of the epidemic, we must strengthen the cooperation in building the “Belt and Road”, accelerate the implementation of the outcome of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and focus our cooperation on health and hygiene, resumption of production and improvement of people’s livelihood. The field leans.
△ On April 22, Senegal held a handover ceremony of materials for China's assistance to the fight against the new coronary pneumonia epidemic. The anti-epidemic materials were donated by the Chinese government and two Chinese-funded enterprises in Serbia. (Provided by CCTV reporter Han Chu)
China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the most concentrated continent among developing countries. The Chinese dream is connected to the African dream. President Xi announced China-Africa "Top Ten Cooperation Plan" in 2015 and announced China-Africa Cooperation "Eight Major Actions" in 2018, which is to help Africa's development and revitalization.
△ A hospital in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, has five “Made in China” intelligent robots, each measuring 50 to 150 people per minute on average. (Data map)
Since the outbreak, President Xi has always cared about the African people. On May 18, he made six suggestions at the opening ceremony of the 73rd World Health Assembly video conference, including "increasing support for African countries." President Xi said that the public health system in developing countries, especially in Africa, is weak, and helping them build a line of defense is the top priority of the international fight against epidemics. African countries should be provided with more material, technical and human support.
Regarding the China-Africa Special Summit held by this joint initiative, President Xi said that the actual implementation of the Beijing Summit commitments is also a contribution to international cooperation in the fight against epidemics.
△On May 12, Zimbabwe President Manganguwa received the Chinese Anti-epidemic Medical Experts Group at the Presidential Palace and delivered a speech on National Television. Once again, he thanked China for helping Zimbabwe fight the new coronary pneumonia epidemic. (Provided by CCTV reporter Ma Peimin)
action! action! Still act!
One action is better than a dozen programs. The special summit held in a special period is to rush to solve the problems that need to be solved urgently, and it is to call on the international community to take action and outperform the epidemic.
△On May 23, the Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team arrived in Congo (Brazzaville) to train medical staff for the New Coronary Pneumonia designated hospital in Pointe Noire. (Provided by CCTV reporter Bai Jie)
President Xi said in his keynote speech that China will continue to fully support African anti-epidemic actions, continue to provide material assistance to African countries, send medical expert groups, and assist African parties to purchase anti-epidemic materials in China. He also announced that China will start construction of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention within this year. "The News of Current Affairs" learned that the aid to the construction of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control is an important part of the "health and health action" in the "eight actions" proposed by President Xi at the Beijing Summit.
△On April 28th, experts from the CDC and the experts from 22 African countries and Chinese experts held an anti-epidemic experience exchange meeting on the global new coronary pneumonia combat sharing platform. (Provided by CCTV reporter Ma Peimin)
A month ago, President Xi said at the opening ceremony of the video conference of the 73rd World Health Assembly that China will work with members of the G20 to implement the “Deferred Debt Repayment Initiative for the Poorest Countries”. At the special summit on the 17th, President Xi stated that China will work with G20 members to implement the G20 debt relief initiative and called on the G20 to further extend its Debt relief period of relevant countries including countries.
△On May 10, Prime Minister Camille of the Republic of Djibouti awarded the Chinese expert team for anti-epidemic medicine to Djibouti. Leader Zeng Yong was awarded the "Independence Day Medal of the Officer Grade". (Provided by CCTV reporter Ma Peimin)
President Xi also promised at the special summit that after the new crown vaccine was developed and put into use, he would be the first to benefit African countries.
Producer丨Shen Yong
Writing 丨 Gong Xuehui Yu Zhenyi
Vision丨Chen Kuo