According to him, this includes programmes which are related to medical service and health, poverty reduction and agricultural development, as well as investment promotion.

“We are still fighting to contain COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has so far provided about 260 million doses of vaccines to 55 African countries and African union,’’ Wu said.

The director-general also said that China had also provided about 120 batches of emergency supplies to African countries and all have diplomatic relations with China as well as contributed to Africa’s early recovery from the pandemic.

He said that although the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) had a quota contribution, the first phase had been through an order, adding that the work would be completed in 2023.

“China has already constructed the African CDC in Addis Ababa, and it will be completed in 2023.’’

“The other programme I would like to mention is Agriculture, you know when FOCAC was held in 2021, there was no Ukraine crisis, but we already focused on agriculture with Africa.

“The reason we believe in the potential of agriculture in Africa is that agricultural development is huge, you have lots of arid land.

“Unfortunately, you still have to import lots of grapes from the outside world which costs a lot of currency and actually damages your international balance sheet,’’ the director-general said.

He said that failure to prioritise agriculture could hinder speedy economic growth in Africa, advising that more should be done through Public Private Partnership to ensure food security.

Wu also stressed the need for proper implementation of outcome of FOCAC meetings to bring about full realisation of set goals.