Chinese Leader Xi Invites Museveni for Top Beijing-Africa Summit

China has extended a formal invitation to Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The invitation was delivered by H.E. Zhang Lizhong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, during a meeting with Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar on Tuesday.

In the meeting held at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lizhong conveyed the invitation from H.E. Xi Xingping, President of China, to President Museveni for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Scheduled to take place in Beijing from the 3rd to the 8th of September 2024, the summit promised a platform for high-level engagement and strategic collaboration between Chinese and African leaders.

Emphasizing the importance of the summit’s agenda, Ambassador Lizhong highlighted the multifaceted nature of the event, which included four simultaneous high-level meetings on diverse themes, co-chaired by leaders from both regions. Of particular note was the China–Africa Entrepreneurs Conference, envisioned as a nexus for fostering robust business ties and economic synergies between China and Africa.

Uganda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon Jeje Odongo (R) during his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Zhang Lizhong

Adding to the significance of the occasion, the Ambassador disclosed an additional honor bestowed upon Uganda: an invitation to the High-Level meeting on Shared Development by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). Slated for the 7th to the 11th of July 2024 in Beijing, this gathering promises to deepen the bilateral cooperation framework, further solidifying the bond between the two nations.

In response, Hon. Jeje, expressed profound gratitude for the invitation, affirming Uganda’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the longstanding friendship with China. Assuring Ambassador Lizhong of Uganda’s enthusiasm for sustained engagement, Hon. Odongo underscored the importance of fostering open channels of communication and collaboration between the two nations.