In comparison, the developing country category, to which African nations belong, constitutes the “foundation” of China’s foreign policy, a means rather than an end to China’s relationship with more important parts of the world. As Lu Shaye,
the director of the Africa Department at the MFA elaborated before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Africa, “the strengthening of solidarity and cooperation with broad developing countries including African countries reflects a consistent principle of China’s foreign policy.