Germany, France seek cooperation with China

TOKYO: Germany and France look forward to strengthening coordination with China in aiding Africa, and share great potential in economic ties with the Asian country, Nikkei Asia has reported. In an analytical commentary entitled “China floats ‘Africa Quad’ with Germany and France,” Nikkei Asia reported about the online summit held between China, Germany and France. The idea of quadrilateral cooperation on Africa, an “Africa Quad,” came in the form of an invitation to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to join the Initiative on Partnership for Africa’s Development, media reported.
Macron said France is ready to strengthen coordination with China on financing and education issues in Africa, while Merkel said Germany will actively look into the possibility of joining the initiative, Nikkei Asia reported.
The Elysee Palace said France and Germany welcomed China’s commitment to contributing “to the restructuring of the debt of vulnerable countries” and noted that “it is now urgent to implement this initiative,” it reported. – Agencies