China has announced it will support the African Union's in its decades-long quest to participate in G20. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday, as China vies with other powers for influence on the continent. Wang Yi tells African counterparts that Beijing will keep giving military, economic, food and anti-pandemic aid.

So far, South Africa is the only representative of the continent in the Group of 20 despite the African Union pushing for inclusion since its creation in 1999. The G20 comprises of 19 countries and the European Union. European Council president Charles Michel also voiced his support last month for the African Union’s bid for the G20.