President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi arrived in Beijing, China, yesterday to participate in the fourth Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, which will take place from September 4 to 6, 2024. Shortly after his arrival, he engaged in bilateral talks with Han Zheng, Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China.

During his visit, President Chakwera is also scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Vice-President Han Zheng hosted a dinner in honor of President Chakwera and his delegation, highlighting that Chakwera’s attendance at FOCAC symbolizes the strengthening relations between Malawi and China. Han recalled Chakwera’s previous visit in June last year, where he delivered a keynote address at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), and expressed that President Xi is looking forward to further discussions on areas of cooperation.

President Chakwera expressed gratitude to China for its continuous support to Malawi since the establishment of diplomatic relations 15 years ago. He acknowledged China’s contributions across various sectors, including education, health, science and technology, and energy. Among the significant projects he mentioned are the ongoing expansion of the M1 highway from Crossroads Roundabout to Kanengo in Lilongwe and the National Fibre Backbone Project II.

He emphasized the importance of their bilateral relationship, stating, “As we celebrate nearly two decades of our partnership, we remain committed to deepening our collaboration and exploring new opportunities.” Chakwera also welcomed the inclusion of the Belt and Road Initiative in this year’s FOCAC sessions, noting its focus on infrastructure development and regional connectivity projects, which align with Malawi’s aspirations. He highlighted that the Belt and Road Initiative offers a chance to enhance support for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

This marks President Chakwera’s second official visit to China since winning the court-mandated fresh presidential election on June 23, 2020. He previously attended CAETE in June last year. This year’s FOCAC is expected to host at least 40 African heads of state and government.