China and Africa have a long history of mutually beneficial cooperation based on equality and respect, and 2025 has ushered in a new chapter for furthering joint development with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting four African countries at the start of the year.

Wang's Africa tour marks the 35th year that Chinese foreign ministers have made the continent their first overseas destination at the start of the year. Eric Orlander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project told Reuters that the decision on which countries to go to each year rarely follows any external logic, but rather resonates in Africa as a reminder of China's consistent commitment to the continent.

In a press briefing after meeting with President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso in Brazzaville, Wang highlighted the important role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in promoting Africa's development and improving the well-being of African people.

Over the past three years, more than one million jobs have been created in Africa thanks to the thriving China-Africa cooperation. The livelihood projects implemented in Africa such as those related to?food security, water supply, and education, have benefited the people of many African countries, Wang said.

According to a report released by the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments in August 2024, Chinese enterprises participated in the construction and upgrade of over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, 1,000 bridges, 100 ports and 66,000 km of power transmission and distribution lines in Africa.

China also helped build more than 130 hospitals and clinics in Africa, sent medical teams to 45 African countries and established cooperation with 46 African hospitals, which facilitates the improvement of local medical and healthcare level.

Data from China's General Administration of Customs showed that the total export and import value of China to Africa in the first 11 months of 2024 reached 266.8 billion USD, an increase of 3.5 percent year on year, demonstrating the strong trade vitality and resilience between China and Africa.

Starting from December 1, 2024, China gave all the least developed countries (LDCs) with which it has diplomatic relations, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, including 33 countries in Africa, another step to boost trade.

"China has become central to Africa's policy, as an actor and an inspiration," Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an African-owned consultancy, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Cliff Mboya, a research fellow at the Ghana-based Afro-Sino Center of International Relations, told Deutsche Welle that, "Africa's long-term development plans are being put into consideration. We are seeing China aligning with the Agenda 2063, proposed by the African Union, for example."

As co-chairs of FOCAC, China and the Republic of the Congo have developed a "timetable" and "roadmap" for the development of the?forum over the next three years, Wang noted, adding that China is ready to work with African countries to further boost the well-established credentials of FOCAC, making their contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.