On May 24, 2025, the "Africa Day" was celebrated in Beijing. During the Event, Maria Gustava, the Mozambican Ambassador to China, stated in an exclusive interview with chinanews.com.cn that China has always stood side by side with Africa, united in solidarity and mutual assistance to overcome difficulties together.

Gustava said, "Africa Day" was a day when all the founding leaders of Africa gathered together, declaring at this special moment that African countries must work hand in hand and stand united. Without unity, there can be no prosperity.

In recent years, under the guidance of mechanisms such as the FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Africa bilateral cooperation has entered a new phase. Mozambique, located in eastern Africa and a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, has engaged in extensive and in-depth cooperation with China in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and the like field.

Gustava noted the Belt and Road Initiative's emphasizing connectivity. She deems that connectivity is a broad concept encompassing people-to-people exchanges, infrastructure development, trade and investment cooperation. "This initiative will facilitate closer China-Africa cooperation, promote trade and investment, and enhance mutual understanding".

During the interview, Gustava also specifically mentioned the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. She stated that FOCAC has made tremendous contributions to bilateral relations and respective development. China has become one of Africa’s largest trading partners and the largest source of investment.

She believed that this cooperation mechanism was of significant importance for advancing China-Africa relations and deepening exchanges. "If you travel across African countries and observe closely, you will witness the abundant fruits borne of China-Africa relations."

"China has consistently been assisting in the development of African societies. In times of crisis — during devastating floods and rampant pandemics — China has always stood side by side with Africa. Through these initiatives, we unite and support each other to overcome difficulties together," she said.

Gustava further mentioned that currently, there are numerous African students pursuing their studies in China. She believes that China and Africa are "forging cultural bonds and passing on a legacy of friendship."

The 2024 edition of the Bluebook titled "Report on the Achievements of China-Africa Cooperation Under the Belt and Road Initiative", released by the National Development and Reform Commission of China, revealed that 52 African countries and the African Union have signed Memorandums of Understanding on the Belt and Road Cooperation with China, marking a new level of pragmatic collaboration between the two sides.

Chinese enterprises have cumulatively participated in the construction and renovation of over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, close to 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports, 66,000 kilometers of power transmission and transformation lines, and 150,000 kilometers of backbone communication networks across various African countries.