Xi Jinping to Hold COVID-19 Response Meeting with African Leaders on the 17th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a special video conference on COVID-19 response with African heads of state on the 17th.

On the 16th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Hua Chunying, announced, "At the China-Africa Special Summit on COVID-19 Response scheduled to be held in Beijing on the 17th, President Xi is expected to deliver the keynote speech."

In addition to African national leaders, United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are also expected to participate in this special meeting.

Amid intense tensions between the U.S. and China over responsibility for the global spread of COVID-19, China, which has close ties with African countries, may use this special meeting as an opportunity to appeal for support from Africa. Since 2000, China has operated the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and has closely engaged with African countries through the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路: land and maritime Silk Road) project.

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