As Africa and China march toward the 70th anniversary (1949-2019) of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both parties next year, the expectations from China and Africa are high. The occasion will acquire considerable symbolism, signifying as it does a new phase in China-Africa relationship. Historical moments will be re-visited and the commitment to expand ties in the future will be reaffirmed. While we wait for 2019 to come, African nations and China look forward to the Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) due in Beijing on September 2018.
Against the backdrop of profound and complex changes in the global landscape, Chinese and African leaders will again in Beijing meet to discuss the policy of China-Africa friendly partnership, plan for the blueprint of China-Africa collaboration in a new era. At the forum, Chinese and African leaders will roll out key measures to lead the relationship, development, and advance the China-Africa exchange and collaboration in different areas. This is conducive to deepening China-Africa comprehensive strategic cooperation for China-Africa win-win collaboration and common development at a higher level. According to the former Tanzanian president Kikwete, “establishing FOCAC was a great proposal”. I concur with the president because through the beneficial framework, African nations and China have been able to strengthen their solidarity and friendship.
Each conference of the forum has introduced specific cooperation measures, especially the successful convening of 2006 Beijing Summit which has stirred significant reaction globally. Furthermore, FOCAC has assisted to foster south-south partnership and the development of global cooperation as well as inject positive energy into global peace, stability, and development. Since 2000, six FOCAC summits have been held at three-year intervals. The 18-year-old FOCAC has been the primary institutional platform and mechanism for the economic cooperation between China and African nations.
It could be as a part of President Xi Jinping’s diplomacy, the level of commitment China made at the 2015 summit in Johannesburg was surprisingly extraordinary: The $60 billion is pledged over a three-year period in loans and other assistance including human resources, infrastructure, and manufacturing. This amount tripled the former $20 billion commitment made by Hu Jintao during the 2012 FOCAC Summit in Beijing. The $60 billion is anticipated to help address the challenges in Africa’s social and economic development.