Tuesday September 3, 2024
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrives in Beijing, China, greeted by a vibrant cultural display, as he attends the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. (Photo: SONNA)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit from September 4th to 6th. This summit marks China's first major diplomatic event since the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together over a dozen African leaders to discuss strengthening ties and advancing modernization across the continent.
The summit, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, is themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." Leaders from Africa are set to engage in several key sessions alongside Chinese officials, focusing on collaborative efforts to drive economic growth and development in both regions.
National flags from Somalia and other African countries have been raised in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, signaling the arrival of African leaders for the summit.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to attend the summit and deliver a speech.
The event officially kicks off on September 5th, following a banquet hosted by President Xi on September 4th for the visiting African leaders and their spouses. Beijing has heightened security measures, with streets and bus stops adorned with banners declaring the summit's message of "Joining Hands for a Brighter Future."
China, Africa's largest trading partner, reported bilateral trade worth $167.8 billion in the first half of 2024, highlighting the deep economic ties between the two regions. However, China's involvement in Africa, including extensive infrastructure projects funded by large loans, has also stirred controversy due to concerns over the debt burdens on African nations.
As part of the summit's proceedings, President Xi has already begun bilateral meetings with several African leaders, including those from South Africa, Guinea, Eritrea, Seychelles, Djibouti, Togo, Comoros, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to Xinhua News Agency.