Moderator:
Southern Weekly reporter Gu Yuebing
Southern Weekend intern Chen Qiushi
diplomacy
Building an All-weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future
From September 4 to 6, 2024, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing. Over the past three days, more than 50 African leaders gathered in Beijing to witness China-Africa relations reaching a new level.
On the evening of September 4, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome African leaders attending the summit.
On the morning of September 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and delivered a keynote speech entitled "Working Together to Promote Modernization and Build a Community with a Shared Future".
Xi Jinping announced that China's bilateral relations with all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China will be upgraded to the level of strategic relations, the overall positioning of China-Africa relations will be upgraded to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and the ten major partnership actions of China and Africa will be implemented to jointly promote modernization.
Xi Jinping announced that China is willing to take the initiative to unilaterally expand market opening, and decided to grant zero-tariff treatment to 100% of the tariff items of all least developed countries, including 33 African countries, which have established diplomatic relations with China. And in the next three years, we will promote Chinese enterprises to invest no less than 70 billion yuan in Africa.
On the morning of September 5, 2024, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and delivered a keynote speech entitled "Working Together to Promote Modernization and Build a Community with a Shared Future". Photo/Xinhua News Agency
CCTV News commented that the new positioning of "all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era" highlights the "extraordinary" particularity of China-Africa relations and explains that China and Africa have always been pioneers in building a community with a shared future.
The "Ten Partnership Actions" are: Mutual Learning of Civilizations, Trade Prosperity Partnership, Industrial Chain Partnership, Connectivity Partnership, Development Partnership, Health Partnership, People-to-People Exchange, Green Development, and Security Partnership. Each of its goals has specific goals, and each of them is a pragmatic action.
On the afternoon of September 5, four high-level meetings were held in parallel on the four major topics of "governance", "industrialization and agricultural modernization", "peace and security" and "high-quality Belt and Road cooperation". The four topics reflect the themes and requirements of the times, reflect the common concerns and expectations of China and Africa for modernization and development, and are also the key directions of the construction of FOCAC in the new era.
On September 6, the 8th China-Africa Entrepreneurs Conference kicked off, with 1,000 participants.
The Beijing Summit adopted two important outcome documents, the Beijing Declaration on Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, and the Beijing Action Plan of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) (2025-2027).
Xi Jinping took a group photo with 51 African heads of state and government, 2 presidential representatives, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Among the 51 African leaders, there are not only old friends who have attended the previous three summits, but also African leaders who attended the summit for the first time as heads of state, such as Malian President Goita and Senegalese President Fayet.
Southern Weekend learned from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that between September 2 and September 6, Xi Jinping met intensively with nearly 40 African leaders. He held bilateral meetings with all participating Heads of State and key Heads of Government. During the summit, China established or upgraded strategic partnerships with 30 African countries.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established in October 2000 and 53 of the 54 African countries are members, the only country not participating is Eswatini, which has no diplomatic relations with China. Since then, it has been held every three years, alternating between China and African countries.
This summit is the first time that Chinese and African leaders have met offline since 2018 after a gap of six years. It is also China's largest and largest number of foreign leaders' home diplomacy after the pandemic.
Politics
Russian President Vladimir Putin: I support Harris!
On September 5, 2024, Russia President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum that he hopes United States Democratic candidates, United States Vice President Kamala · Harris, win the 2024 United States election.
Putin mentioned that Trump has imposed a large number of restrictions and sanctions on Russia during his tenure, "more than any previous United States president," and hopes that Harris will not do so.
"Harris's smile is so expressive and contagious, it shows that everything is fine with her." Putin added.
On that day, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was attending an event at the Economic Club of New York. Trump responded, "I don't know if Putin insulted me or helped me." ”
United States intelligence agencies believe that Russia actually prefers Trump to win because he is less willing to support Ukraine's war against Russia.
It is reported that Trump has opposed United States' aid to Ukraine. He has also repeatedly said that he has plans to achieve peace in Ukraine, but declined to give details, citing the fact that the plan should remain "surprise".
In previous United States elections, Putin has also publicly expressed his attitude towards candidates. In 2012, when Obama campaigned against Republican challenger Mitt · Romney, Putin commented in an interview that Obama was an honest man. Before the 2016 election, Putin praised Trump at his annual press conference, calling him "outstanding and talented" and "a smart man."
On July 30, 2024 local time, United States Vice President Harris attended a campaign rally in Atlanta. Photo/Visual China
Biden's son pleaded guilty to nine tax charges
On September 5, 2024 local time, Biden's son Hunter · Biden pleaded guilty to all nine charges in the court in a tax crime trial.
The guilty plea took place in a federal court in Los Angeles, California. That morning, as the court began to select the jury, Hunter's lawyer, Roel, abruptly announced that Hunt was ready to change his plea of innocence. Hunter swore in court that his plea decision was voluntary and that he had not been subjected to any form of persecution.
Reuters said that during the sprint to the United States election, Hunt pleaded guilty to avoid embarrassing the Democratic Party because he went to trial.
Mr. Hunt had previously refused to plead guilty. Hunter was charged in December 2023 with nine federal tax offenses, including failing to file and pay taxes, tax evasion, and filing false or fraudulent tax returns, with three felonies and six misdemeanors on nine counts.
The verdict in Hunter's tax case is expected in December 2024, and he could face up to 17 years in prison and a $1.3 million fine. But according to United States judicial practice, sentences are usually lower than the theoretical maximum sentence, and it is almost impossible for Hunter, who has not previously been imprisoned, to be sentenced heavily.
In addition, Hunter was convicted in June 2023 of three felony counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and the sentencing is likely to take place in mid-October.
Hunter, 54, is the only surviving son of United States President Joe Biden and the first sitting president in United States history to be found guilty. Biden has repeatedly told the media that he will not pardon his son if he is found guilty.
Hunter · Biden (center), son of President Joe Biden of United States. Photo/Visual China
Ukraine government "big adjustment"
In the past few days, there has been a "big blood change" at the top of the ruling party in Ukraine.
On September 3, 2024, Ukraine's ruling party hinted that the government would make "major adjustments," but did not disclose why. So far, at least six Ukraine officials, including cabinet ministers, have submitted their resignations, and one presidential aide has been dismissed.
The Financial Times commented that the Ukrainian government has undergone many personnel changes since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and this "largest" reorganization comes at a critical moment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when the Ukrainian army is trying to resist the increasing offensive of the Russian army in eastern Ukraine, while consolidating its control over the territory occupied by the Kursk region of Russia.
On the Russia side, Putin said it was ready for negotiations. On September 5, Putin said in a Q&A session at the Eastern Economic Forum that the Russia negotiations were based on an agreement reached by Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul, Turkey in April 2022 — an agreement that was ultimately not implemented and the details were never disclosed. Putin said Russia had never refused negotiations and criticized Ukraine for tearing up agreements that had been reached.
Previously, Putin took a tough stance on the negotiations between the two sides, saying that there was nothing to talk about between Russia and Ukraine after Ukraine's ground attack on Russia and the attack on Russia's civilian infrastructure.
On September 5, 2024 local time, Russia President Vladimir Putin attended the 2024 Eastern Economic Forum meeting. Photo/Visual China
Macron appoints the new prime minister of France
On September 5, 2024 local time, France President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel · Barnier as the new prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government.
A press release from France's presidential office said the appointment was made after Macron conducted "unprecedented and extensive consultations" aimed at "ensuring that the new prime minister and the upcoming government can maintain stability and unite broadly."
No new prime minister has been appointed since Macron approved the resignation submitted by then-Prime Minister Attar on July 16. According to the France newspaper Le Monde, this broke the record for the longest time in France's history for a caretaker government (provisional government).
After more than 50 days of "anarchy", Macron finally chose Barnier, who came from the right-wing Republican Party.
According to Euronews, Barnier was appointed prime minister of France for reasons including: he is good at negotiation; Not seen as a threat within Macron's camp; In the eyes of the EU, he is a "reassuring" partner.
Philippe · Moreau-Chevrolet, a professor at Sciences Po in Paris, analyzed that Barnier was known for his mediation and communication during his political career, and was more likely to be recognized by different political parties.
However, the appointment still sparked strong opposition from the left-wing coalition "New Popular Front", which has the highest number of seats in the National Assembly. Jean-Luc · Mélenchon, leader of one of its constituent parties, Indomitable France, said it was an act of "stealing" against the France people, because "the Left Alliance 'New Popular Front', which was leading in the elections to the National Assembly, did not have its own prime minister."
Olive ·, the first secretary of the Socialist Party, called the appointment of a new prime minister "a political crisis" for France and threatened to impeach Barnier in the National Assembly.
According to the United Kingdom newspaper The Economist, Barnier is about to face the daunting task of forming a "unity government" called for by Macron, making the necessary budget cuts, reassuring the left and silencing the far right. Analysts say Barnier will have to secure the support of other opposition parties in the face of pressure from Syriza and will take their interests into account in the allocation of ministers in the new government.
The 73-year-old Barnier is the oldest prime minister in the 66-year history of the French Fifth Republic. He entered politics at the age of 22 and has served as a government minister several times and as a European Commissioner twice. Since 2016, he has been the EU's chief negotiator for United Kingdom's Brexit, eventually negotiating Brexit terms with the United Kingdom.
On January 31, 2020 local time, a few hours before United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union, France President Emmanuel Macron (left) took a group photo with Michel · Barnier (right), then the chief negotiator of the EU side of United Kingdom's "Brexit" at the Elysee Palace. Photo/Visual China
Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-che was detained
On September 5, 2024, Ke Wenzhe, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party and former mayor of Taipei, was detained and banned by the Taipei District Court on suspicion of involvement in the Jinghua City case.
Previously, Ke Wenzhe was accused of being suspected of fraud in the plot ratio of Beijing Huacheng, Taiwan during his tenure as mayor of Taipei City. According to Taiwan's "Central News Agency", the plot ratio of Jinghua City in Taipei City soared to 840% during Ke Wenzhe's tenure as mayor of Taipei, which was questioned by the outside world as an escort operator.
It has been learned that Taiwan's anti-corruption units have carried out a long-term investigation into the Jinghua City case, and in the early morning of 30 August, they raided Ko Wenzhe's home, office, and the central party headquarters of the People's Party in Taipei City. On the same day, Ke Wenzhe was questioned for 16 hours at the "ICAC Bureau." In the early morning of August 31, Ke Wenzhe was arrested on the spot by Taipei prosecutors for refusing to be interrogated late at night, and transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office for further interrogation.
On September 2, the Taipei District Court ruled that Ke Wenzhe could not be found guilty of serious criminal suspicion because the prosecution presented evidence, and ruled to bring Ke Wenzhe back without bail. In response to this result, the Taipei prosecutor filed a protest. On September 4, Taiwan's "High Court" revoked the ruling on the non-bail petition and remanded it to the Taipei District Court for a new ruling.
On September 5, the Taipei District Court held another detention court and pointed out that Ke Wenzhe knew that increasing the volume by more than 560 percent to Jinghua City was "contrary to the law", but still insisted on doing it, and caused his accomplice Shen Qingjing, chairman of the Weijing Group, to obtain illegal benefits of NT$20 billion.
After the court made a ruling, it immediately arranged for a prisoner car to escort Ke Wenzhe to the Taipei Detention Center for detention.
In addition to the Jinghua City case, Ke Wenzhe was also caught in a political donation storm and was exposed to using election subsidies to buy an office. On August 29, Ke Wenzhe held a press conference to bow and apologize, and announced that he would take a three-month leave from the People's Party to wait for the party's investigation.
On August 30, 2024, after the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office and the Taiwan authorities' "ICAC" raided the residence of People's Party Chairman Ke Wenzhe and other places, they took Ke Wenzhe to the "ICAC" for investigation. Photo/Visual China
safe
Four people were killed and nine injured in a shooting in Georgia, and a 14-year-old boy and his father were arrested
On September 4, 2024 local time, a serious school shooting occurred at Appalachian High School in Georgia, United States. At least four people have been shot and killed in the case, including two students and two teachers, and nine others have been injured.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials confirmed that the gunman was Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at Appalachian High School, · Gray. On the morning of September 4, he surrendered to the police after shooting and killing two students and two teachers with an AR-style rifle.
Smith, the head of police in Barrow County, where the incident occurred, expressed deep regret over the "pure evil" and "hateful incident." He said the suspect's motive for the crime is not yet clear, and the relationship between the victim and the gunman is also under investigation.
Multiple law enforcement officials revealed that Appalachian High School had received phone threats earlier that day. The phone warned that there would be shootings at five schools, with Appalachia being the first.
Colter confessed to the crime during the interrogation and was sent to the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. He faces four felony murder charges but will not be sentenced to death because he is under the age of 18.
On September 5, Colter's father, Colin · Gray, was arrested on suspicion of a school shooting. Colin bought the AR-15 rifle used in the shooting in December 2023 as a holiday gift for his son.
Colin is charged with four counts of manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of child abuse.
The United States Bureau of Investigation said on September 4 that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received an anonymous report in 2023 that Colter had threatened to carry out school shootings online. Investigators questioned Colter and his father after receiving the tip, but they denied making threats.
According to the United States Gun Violence Archive, as of September 4, 2024, there have been 385 mass shootings in the United States this year that have resulted in four or more casualties, with an average of 1.5 mass shootings per day.
Cort · Gray, suspect in the Appalachian High School shooting in Winde, Georgia. Photo/Visual China
Southern Weekly reporter Gu Yuebing and Southern Weekly intern Chen Qiushi
Editor-in-charge: Yao Yijiang