DAR ES SALAAM -- This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African nations. Over the decades, the friendship has been passed down from generation to generation, and bilateral ties have achieved leapfrog development.

Amid a complex international landscape and accelerated changes unseen in a century, China and Africa have continued to draw strength from the spirit of friendship and cooperation. Their joint pursuit of modernization has set an example for Global South cooperation, and is writing new chapters in building a better world for all.

EVER-LASTING FRIENDSHIP

China and African countries are the world's largest developing country and the continent with the most developing nations respectively. The two sides have always regarded solidarity and cooperation as cornerstones of their partnership.

In 2013, Africa was among the destinations of Chinese President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip after assuming the presidency. During the visit, he put forward the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith as well as the values of friendship, justice and shared interests, which set the tone for the accelerated growth of China-Africa ties in recent years.

Over the past 13 years, Xi has visited Africa five times, charting the course for all-around cooperation between the two sides.

A defining moment came on Sept 5, 2024. In his keynote speech at the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing, Xi proposed elevating China's bilateral relations with all African countries having diplomatic ties with China to the level of strategic relations, and elevating the overall characterization of China-Africa relations to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf noted that China is a trustworthy and reliable partner.

At the grassroots, the friendship is equally evident. In Zimbabwe's Mashonaland East Province, a water well built by China has enabled villagers to grow sweet sorghum. "We will never forget that it was the Chinese who helped us build it," a villager said.

In Ethiopia, entrepreneur Mulu Kemal, who attended a training program under the Global Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program Workshop, thanked Chinese instructors for helping her "find a direction for business development."

The African people have also come to China's aid when it needed help. In the aftermath of the Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes, many African countries made numerous donations, helped build friendship schools for local students. Just as Xi once pointed out: "China and Africa are good friends, partners and brothers who assist and support each other."