The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opened in Beijing on Thursday morning, with Chinese President Xi Jinping set to deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”, the three-day event aims to strengthen friendship and outline future cooperation between China and Africa.

The FOCAC summit this time is the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, drawing the attendance of over 50 African leaders and the UN secretary-general.

Before the ceremony, Xi met leaders from African countries and international organizations and posed for group photos with them at the Great Hall of the People, where the opening ceremony is held.

African Times has published this article in partnership with Xinhua News Agency