Xi Jinping Unveils Gift Package to Africa... Debt Relief and COVID-19 Response Support

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] China is expanding its influence in Africa under the pretext of responding to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Chinese President Xi Jinping personally stepped in to waive debt repayments to Africa and promised priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.

On the 18th, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, filled pages 1 and 2 with the contents of the "China-Africa COVID-19 Response Special Summit" held the previous evening. President Xi delivered a keynote speech via video conference under the theme "Join forces to overcome difficult times together in response to COVID-19." The keynote speech contained a bundle of gifts from China to Africa.

From the beginning of his speech, President Xi emphasized the close cooperative relationship between China and Africa. He stated, "China and Africa are standing shoulder to shoulder, supporting each other in the fight against COVID-19. Through unity, friendship and trust have been further solidified. Regardless of changes in the international situation, the determination to strengthen cooperation between China and Africa will never waver."

He continued, "We must firmly join hands to fight COVID-19. China will continue to provide epidemic prevention supplies to African countries and spare no effort in dispatching medical expert teams. China will advance the schedule to start construction of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within this year, realize the China-Africa cooperation 'Health and Hygiene Action,' and accelerate the construction of China-Africa Friendship Hospitals. Once the COVID-19 vaccine development is completed and commercialized, China will prioritize benefits for African countries," he promised.

He also unveiled economic support packages.

President Xi pledged, "Within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which has been established and operated since 2000, China will waive repayment of zero-interest debts due at the end of 2020 for African countries." He also referred to the G20 debt repayment suspension agreement, stating, "We will further extend the debt repayment suspension period for the poorest countries, including African nations." He urged, "The international community, especially developed countries and financial institutions, should take stronger actions on African debt relief."

President Xi added, "China supports the establishment of a free trade zone on the African continent. We support securing supply chains through building industrial chains with Africa and seek cooperation in new business areas such as digital economy, smart cities, clean energy, and 5G." Seemingly conscious of Western countries, he said, "Let us strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative (육·해상 Silk Road)," while also emphasizing opposition to "the politicization of COVID-19, racial discrimination, and ideological prejudice."

At a meeting attended by major African heads of state, United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the gifts offered by President Xi carried the character of an open courtship toward Africa. Amid ongoing US-China conflicts on trade issues as well as responsibilities for COVID-19 spread, the Hong Kong security law, and South China Sea disputes, it is interpreted that China is seeking to expand its influence in Africa under the pretext of COVID-19 support.

Meanwhile, according to research data from Johns Hopkins University, China lent over $143 billion (approximately 174 trillion KRW) to 49 African governments and state-owned enterprises from 2000 to 2017. The Jubilee Debt Campaign (JDC), which is conducting a debt relief movement for poor countries, estimates that China holds about 20% of Africa's total debt.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.