China, Africa on shared mission for better future

"Community with a shared future" has become so prominent in Chinese diplomacy lately that it should come as no surprise that the 2018 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation passed its Beijing declaration on Tuesday promising to build a "closer China-Africa community with a shared future".

China is not the only one making promises to Africa. But what is special about those from Beijing is, they are not made with the intention of imposing its will on African countries.

As he did in 2015, President Xi Jinping has earmarked $60 billion, including grants, interests-free and concessional loans, to support the 2019-21 action plan that was announced on Tuesday. Unlike other similar development aid programs extended to Africa, this assistance has no political strings attached. For as Xi said, China respects and supports Africa, as over the years it has proven to be "a good friend, good partner and good brother".