President Barrow Prioritises Infrastructure to Boost Agriculture, Health and Industries at FOCAC Talks

State House, Banjul, 5th September 2024: President Adama Barrow stated that Africa has no reason to doubt the People’s Republic of China’s commitment to supporting Africa in its strategic development. The President made the remarks during a bilateral meeting hosted by a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee H.E. Mr Cai Qi during the FOCAC 2024.

The Gambian leader commended the ten-point Action Plan announced by President Xi Jinping during his opening remarks at the 4th FOCAC Summit in Beijing. He also mentioned that the partnership with the PRC has grown to a strategic level, providing projects that impact the lives of Gambians. President Barrow pledged his Government’s commitment to the partnerships with the PRC based on mutual benefit and to advance the One China policy.

H.E Cai Qi reiterated China’s willingness to collaborate with the Gambia on the partnership of the FOCAC three-year Action Points 2025-2027. He praised The Gambia for supporting its One China Policy. He spoke highly of the bilateral ties with the Barrow administration and The Gambia’s support for global initiatives to promote development and justice for all. He urged President Barrow, as Chairman of the OIC, to enhance collaboration on international peace and justice. H.E. Cai Qi also promised to support The Gambia’s development agenda to advance agriculture, health, and infrastructure development within the framework of the ten-point Action Plan of FOCAC during a banquet in honour of President Barrow.

The Bilateral Meeting built on the remarks of President XI Jinping and Co-Chair of FOCAC 2024, President Diomayi Faye of the Republic of Senegal, along with other speakers emphasising the China-Africa partnership, which President Jinping said was “at its best in history” and added, “it has risen to a strategic level in a new era of modernisation as alienable rights for all including Africa.”

Aware that Africa is awakening to modernisation as stated in the set goals of the A.U. Agenda for a shared future for humanity. The Chinese President called for collaboration and modernisation that consider national realities, equal rights and a win-win for all countries.

The Strategic Partnership between China and Africa for the next three years will focus on inclusive industrialisation, agriculture, trade, capacity building to reduce poverty and advance cultural exchanges.

The $50bn three-year FOCAC Action Plan will also prioritise green development in modernisation, narrow the energy gap, peace and security and independently uphold world peace.

Delivering his statement at the High-Level Meeting on the Belt and Road Initiative - BRI established in 2023, President Barrow reiterated his appreciation to President XI Jinping and shared The Gambia’s experience with the Belt and Road Initiative, resulting in the construction of roads and bridges to advance the socio-economic development of The Gambia.

The BRI High-Level meeting Co-Chaired by H.E Ding Xeuaxiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council and H.E William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, availed an opportunity for leaders to testify the how the BRI is a win-win in the China-Africa relations, partnering with Chinese entities in developing infrastructure across Africa.

President Barrow will meet with President Xi Jinping on Thursday, 5th September 2024, for a bilateral session.