"Through this key cooperation platform, we have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks and special economic zones," he said.

Meanwhile, the China-Africa community with a shared future has grown in step with the times.

He pointed to the success of the nine programs agreed upon at the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Dakar, Senegal, in 2021, which included initiatives on matters ranging from poverty alleviation and health to trade.

"We pulled together in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We maintained close cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues. Together we have made the voice of the Global South stronger.

"We human beings have been dreaming of a community with a shared future, and modernization is what it takes to turn our dream into reality," Xi told the dignitaries.

China and Africa have been, and remain, pioneers in building this community, and we will stay at the forefront in pursuing modernization, he said.

Xi emphasized that as long as the more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people are united toward shared goals, they will definitely spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind.