CHINA’S President Xi Jinping vowed to raise relations with Africa to a “strategic level,” during his keynote speech to the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation today.

Speaking to dozens of African leaders at the opening ceremony of the Beijing forum, Mr Xi promised billions in loans and private investment over the next three years

Mr Xi said: “We have always understood and supported each other, setting an example for a new type of international relations.”

China has become a major player in Africa since the forum was founded in 2000. 

Chinese companies have invested heavily in mining for the resources to support the country’s industries and its development banks have made loans to build railways, roads and other infrastructure under Mr Xi’s highly successful Belt and Road Initiative.

African leaders have welcomed China’s assistance and are working with the Chinese to more closely align aid with the continent’s development goals. 

China, has become sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner.

Mr Xi outlined 10 “partnership actions to support the broadening relationship with Africa.”

These actions included training for African politicians and future leaders, a further opening of the Chinese market, agriculture demonstration areas, vocational and technical training, green energy projects and 1 billion yuan (£106 million) in grants for military assistance.

Many African nations have taken a non-aligned stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine which has led to political friction with the United States.

During talks with Mr Xi earlier this week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “As our history demands, South Africa will continue to pursue progressive internationalism. 

“Building on the firm foundation of solidarity, we continue to provide support in promoting our interests, those of the African continent and the global South.”

On the trade front Mr Xi said China would eliminate tariffs on products from most of the world’s poorest countries, including 33 in Africa, in an expansion of existing tariff exemptions.

The relationship has moved beyond trade and investment to take on political overtones as China seeks allies in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world for its competition with the United States to define the norms governing the global economy and how countries interact with each other.

Mr Xi said: “Modernisation is an inalienable right of all countries.” 

But, the president added: “The Western approach to it has inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries. Since the end of World War II, Third World nations, represented by China and African countries, have achieved independence and have been endeavouring to redress the historical injustices of the modernisation process.”