China and Africa deepen cooperation amid global divisions

Dozens of African leaders gathered in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where President Xi Jinping proposed elevating relations with African nations to a "strategic" level. China, the largest bilateral trading partner for sub-Saharan Africa, aims to deepen cooperation in industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. Xi also announced plans to eliminate tariffs on products from 33 of the world's poorest countries, including many in Africa.