This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 17, 2020, a virtual summit between China and Africa brought together 13 African leaders to discuss the continent's fight against Covid-19. The summit, chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, marked a significant moment in the war against the pandemic.
The summit came as the continent struggled to contain the spread of the virus, with 7,217 deaths and 268,391 infections recorded by June 18, 2020, according to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention data. Many public health systems in Africa were facing significant challenges, and the economic impact of the pandemic was starting to take its toll.
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, and Nigeria's Muhammadu Buhari were among the African leaders who spoke at the summit, acknowledging the devastating impact of the virus on the continent's economies. They expressed gratitude for China's support, including the provision of essential commodities such as testing kits, medicines, and face masks.
China's commitment to providing aid and debt relief to affected African countries was a significant development. The country cancelled interest-free government loans to relevant African countries, freeing up resources for better responses to the pandemic. President Xi also called on the G20 to extend debt service suspension for affected countries, allowing Africa to focus on containing the pandemic.
The summit marked a turning point in the pandemic war, with African leaders and China's President Xi Jinping committing to work together to save lives and keep economies afloat. The need to invest in key priority areas, such as the digital economy and smart cities, was also highlighted as a way to strengthen Africa's industrial capacity and recreate jobs lost due to the pandemic.
Mr. Cavince is a scholar of international relations @Cavinceworld
