Cabo Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva has announced that China will make a new donation of US$28.5 million to the African archipelago following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, in Beijing.
Correia e Silva said was in Beijing to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which ends today, praising it as “a platform for dialogue and cooperation that has allowed the strengthening of our relations” and noting that China has been “an important partner” in his country’s development.
Li said the two countries should deepen cooperation in infrastructure construction, the blue economy, green development, digital economy, tourism, agriculture and more. China also indicated its willingness to further expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as healthcare and education.
[See more: Cabo Verde signs a new health deal with China]
FOCAC has been held every three years since 2000. Around 300 Chinese and foreign representatives attended the 2024 iteration, including delegates from 53 African countries and major sub-regional organisations.
The summit has been described by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the “largest diplomatic event” Beijing has hosted in recent years. Agreements signed during the three-day event will set the tone for China-Africa relations for the next few years. Much of those agreements will centre on industrialisation, agricultural advancements, security and cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Cabo Verdean delegation, in statements made before flying to Beijing, said its goals centred on outlining new areas of cooperation with China, particularly in regards to the digital and energy transitions, areas where China’s expertise could be a major boon to the small island nation.
