Xi Jinping hosts African leaders in Beijing for China-Africa Cooperation Forum

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted leaders from numerous African countries at a lavish banquet in Beijing as part of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. China, Africa's largest trading partner, hopes to gain access to the continent's natural resources and has pledged nearly €46 billion in financial aid.

Xi was praised by Chinese state media as a 'true friend of Africa' and emphasized the deepening of relations between China and Africa. The bilateral trade volume between China and Africa in the first six months of this year was nearly €152 billion.

However, critics argue that China's actions have led some recipient countries into overwhelming debt and dependence on Beijing. The Chinese government has provided billions of dollars in loans to African states for the development of critical infrastructure.

The China-Africa Cooperation Forum aims to strengthen political alliances and deepen cooperation in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and investment. Xi proposed the creation of a China-Africa network that would provide land and sea connectivity and coordinated development.

He also promised that the Chinese initiative would create one million jobs in Africa and announced various projects for clean energy, nuclear technology cooperation, and agricultural innovation.