The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is a comprehensive platform that promotes China-Africa relations. Established in 2000 at the suggestion of Madagascar’s Foreign Minister, Lila Ratsifandrihamanana, the forum aims to facilitate collective dialogue and practical cooperation between China and Africa. Today, FOCAC has grown beyond a single development parameter and has become a key component of China’s strategy towards Global South countries. With the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, China has further advanced its role in directly contributing to Africa’s infrastructure development.
The 9th FOCAC 2024 Beijing Summit was held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the participation of African and international guests. The summit, themed ‘Working Together to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,’ provided an opportunity for leaders from both civilizations to exchange ideas on the current state and future prospects of China-Africa cooperation.[i]
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also played a significant role in the development of China-Africa relations. Through this initiative, Africa has made considerable progress in industrialization and infrastructure activities. For example, Africa now benefits from over 100,000 kilometers of roads, 10,000 kilometers of railways, 1,000 bridges, and nearly 100 ports completed under the BRI and FOCAC. These projects have become a cornerstone for Africa’s development and enabled it to take on a leading role.[ii]
In addition to the heads of state, government leaders, and representatives from over 50 FOCAC member countries, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, and many heads of international organizations gathered in Beijing. The summit not only set a new record in terms of the scale of diplomatic events hosted by China and the number of leaders attending in recent years but also marked a significant milestone in the history of China-Africa relations and interactions among ‘Global South’ countries.[iii]
The term ‘Global South’ refers to international economic and political conditions rather than geographic locations. Southern countries are important for China’s multipolar alternative world order, as they include many states that share China’s interests in non-interference, sovereignty, and promoting South-South cooperation. China views these regions as areas with great potential for future economic growth and cooperation.[iv]
China has established coordination mechanisms for its multilateral economic, political, and security relations with these regions through platforms like FOCAC, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS. The Global South, consisting of developing or less developed countries, holds a significant position in the evolving world order due to its large share of the world’s population and its global partnerships, including those in Asia and Latin America, standing as a counterbalance to the Western bloc.
China’s cooperation plan for the development of Global South countries focuses on three areas: development, security, and changes in the global governance system. These are outlined in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), both announced by Xi Jinping in 2023 as the foundation for China’s efforts to reshape the international order.[v] In this context, China proposes cooperation with Global South countries based on their shared interests against the EU and the US. For these countries, a partnership with China offers significant gains in advancing multipolarity and having a stronger voice internationally, countering US hegemony. Moreover, Africa’s vast underground resources make it a focal point for global actors. By adhering to a non-interference policy in the internal affairs of these countries, China has both strengthened its commercial partnerships and developed an alternative to Western countries in global competition. Through FOCAC, Africa-China relations have gained new dynamics.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who was in Beijing for the FOCAC Summit. Ding emphasized that China would further deepen its cooperation with the UN, promote multilateralism, jointly advance world peace and development, and encourage the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Guterres noted that these three initiatives are highly aligned with the UN’s goals and principles, and he expressed the UN’s anticipation for stronger cooperation with China in fostering fair and equitable global governance.[vi]
Xi Jinping mentioned that the UN plays a crucial role in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He expressed China’s readiness to work closely with UN agencies to promote the high-quality development of the BRI and contribute to global peace and development. Xi also stated that China supports the efforts of the UN and UN Secretary-General António Guterres and is determined to enhance cooperation with the UN to build a multipolar world and make global governance more equitable. In response, Guterres remarked that the BRI provides an important and effective path for helping developing countries achieve sustainable development and serves as a good example of South-South cooperation.[vii]
In conclusion, the 2024 FOCAC Summit, which aims to enhance trade and development capacity as well as improve cooperation in various areas such as healthcare, is highly significant within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has added a new dimension to China’s relations with the Global South. It can be said that China will continue its infrastructure and investment partnerships with African countries steadily through the BRI and China-Africa cooperation. Additionally, the Summit, which included the UN Secretary-General and numerous leaders, underscored China’s principles aligned with the UN for maintaining regional and global stability. Thus, China and Africa worked together to advocate for the development and common interests of developing countries, taking significant steps in line with the changing global order. According to the principles adopted by China, the FOCAC Summit has reflected a commitment to long-term economic and political partnership and mutual benefits.
[i]“Continent now reclaim its rightful place”, China Daily, https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202409/05/WS66d90ad5a3108f29c1fca3e1.html, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “China-Africa community with a shared future sets a stellar example fort he world: Global Times Editorial”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202409/1319265.shtml, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[iv] “China’s Rise in the Global South”, The Diplomat, https://thediplomat.com/2024/06/chinas-rise-in-the-global-south/, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[v] “China Embracing a Global South Strategy” PISM, https://pism.pl/publications/china-embracing-a-global-south-strategy, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[vi] “FOCAC Chinese vise premier meets UN chief”, Xinhua News, https://english.news.cn/20240904/cca2c18dd7bb42f6b4bb1dbdd8f74ba1/c.html, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
[vii] “Xi Jinping Meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres”, Ministery of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China, https://www.mfa.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/zyxw/202405/t20240530_11332362.html, (Access Date: 05.09.2024).
