Focusing on New Dimensions of Growth and Ushering in a New Stage for China-Africa Cooperation

A keynote speech delivered by Chen Xiaodong, China's Ambassador-designate to South Africa, on October 13, 2020, detailing the evolution of China-Africa cooperation. The speech emphasizes a transition toward market-driven trade, digital economy integration, and infrastructure development, while addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategic importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

• China-Africa cooperation is transitioning from government-led assistance to market-driven trade and investment, moving from general merchandise trade toward production capacity and processing trade.
• China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years, with two-way trade reaching $208.7 billion in 2019, which is 20 times the volume recorded in 2000.
• China's direct investment stock in Africa is $110 billion, with over 3,700 Chinese companies operating there. Specifically in South Africa, investment has exceeded $25 billion and created more than 400,000 local jobs.
• China serves as the largest financier and contractor for African infrastructure, having built over 10,000 km of roads, 6,000 km of railways, 80 power plants, and more than 150 stadiums and conference centers.
• The Mombasa–Nairobi Railway has contributed to Kenya's economic growth by approximately 1.5% and created nearly 50,000 local jobs.
• China is expanding cooperation in the digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, noting that Huawei and ZTE have built 80% of Africa's backbone network infrastructure.
• In response to COVID-19, China pledged to start construction of the Africa CDC headquarters in 2020 and declared the cancellation of interest-free government loans for relevant African countries due by the end of 2020.

APA

Xiaodong, C. (n.d.). Focusing on New Dimensions of Growth and Ushering in a New Stage for China-Africa Cooperation. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Keynote-Speech-by-H.E.-Ambassador-designate-Chen-Xiaodong-of-China-to-South-Africa-1.pdf

Chicago

Xiaodong, Chen. Focusing on New Dimensions of Growth and Ushering in a New Stage for China-Africa Cooperation. South African Institute of International Affairs, n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Keynote-Speech-by-H.E.-Ambassador-designate-Chen-Xiaodong-of-China-to-South-Africa-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Xiaodong |first1=Chen |title=Focusing on New Dimensions of Growth and Ushering in a New Stage for China-Africa Cooperation |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Keynote-Speech-by-H.E.-Ambassador-designate-Chen-Xiaodong-of-China-to-South-Africa-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{xiaodongndfocusing, author = {Xiaodong, Chen}, title = {{Focusing on New Dimensions of Growth and Ushering in a New Stage for China-Africa Cooperation}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Keynote-Speech-by-H.E.-Ambassador-designate-Chen-Xiaodong-of-China-to-South-Africa-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }