IRIA News

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Beijing recently became the focal point of international diplomacy as it hosted the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a grand three-day event that brought together delegations from dozens of African nations.

The summit, the first of its kind held in the Chinese capital since 2018, underscored the deepening ties between China and Africa, even as it occurred at a critical juncture for both regions.

As African leaders arrived in Beijing and met with impressive displays of Chinese hospitality. Honor guards and traditional dance troupes welcomed the delegations, and state media prominently featured the arrivals.

The gathering was the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, with Chinese officials eager to showcase their country as a pivotal partner for Africa, despite the backdrop of slowing economic engagement and rising global tensions.

China pledges $50 billion to fund African development

China’s President Xi Jinping pledged more than $50 billion (RMB360 billion yuan) in funding to the African continent over the next three years. The $50 billion funding includes a mix of credit funds, assistance and private investment from Chinese firms. The Chinese leader also vowed to create “at least” one million jobs in Africa as he seeks to position Beijing as the development partner of choice for the Global South.

“China-Africa relations are at their best in history,” Xi said, as he vowed to elevate China’s bilateral relations with all African countries with which it has formal ties to the level of “strategic relations.”

Ahead of the summit, President Xi met with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, as well as the leaders of Togo, Mali, Comoros, and Djibouti, according to local news reports. On September 3, Chinese President Xi also held talks with President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.

What is FOCAC?

The China-Africa summit, known as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), has taken place every three years since 2000. The ongoing conference marks the ninth of its kind. Discussions and agreements will focus on key areas such as industrialization, agricultural development, security, and collaboration on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a vast project designed to connect multiple continents to China through extensive infrastructure networks.

Next week, Beijing will host a “China-Africa Week”.

Eagerly anticipating China and Africa creating a new surge of momentum for global modernization and shared human development. #FOCAC2024 #ChinaAfrica pic.twitter.com/oKqpPg1jni

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) September 1, 2024

At least 53 heads of state from African countries, or their representatives, along with ministerial delegates, were expected to attend the summit. Eswatini, the 54th African nation, which has no diplomatic ties with China and was the only country absent.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended the summit as a special guest. Several international and regional organizations also participated in the meeting as observers.

China’s role in Africa

For decades, China has been a key player in African development, providing substantial financial support for infrastructure projects across the continent. This support has led to the construction of highways, railways, power plants, and other vital infrastructure, filling significant funding gaps and bolstering China’s political influence in Africa.

Amid these concerns, and in the face of China’s economic challenges, Xi Jinping and his administration used the summit to promote a shift in focus. The Chinese leadership emphasized the importance of “small yet beautiful” investments and highlighted opportunities for collaboration on green technologies, an area where China is a global leader.

These new strategies were presented as more sustainable alternatives to the large-scale projects of the past, aiming to address both environmental concerns and the need for economic stability in Africa.

In his address at a welcome banquet held at the Great Hall of the People, Xi Jinping reflected on the enduring partnership between China and Africa. “The China-Africa community with a shared future sets a stellar example for building a community with a shared future for humanity,” he stated.

Xi recounted his ten visits to Africa, emphasizing the deep-rooted friendship between the two sides. He noted that this bond has remained robust and has grown stronger through generations, regardless of global changes.

“We have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, and special economic zones. These projects have changed the lives and destiny of many people,” Xi continued, underscoring the tangible benefits of Sino-African cooperation. He highlighted the win-win nature of this partnership, which has flourished on the principles of mutual respect and shared goals.

Moreover, Xi emphasized that the China-Africa community with a shared future is not static but evolves in response to contemporary challenges. The two regions have maintained close cooperation on major international and regional issues, amplifying the voice of the Global South in global affairs.

President Xi Jinping and Madam Peng Liyuan held a gala dinner to welcome dignitaries attending the #FOCAC2024 Beijing Summit. pic.twitter.com/vt0hUr2Lp0

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) September 4, 2024

Xi expressed confidence in the continued success of this partnership, stating, “As long as the 2.8 billion-strong Chinese and African people are united, we will accomplish new and even greater feats together on the way toward modernization, spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind.”

TAZARA railway project

A significant highlight of the summit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the revitalization project of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway. This project, witnessed by President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, symbolizes the ongoing commitment to infrastructure development that has characterized China-Africa relations.

The TAZARA railway, a historic project initially built with Chinese assistance in the 1970s, is a crucial transportation link for both Tanzania and Zambia. Its revitalization underlines China’s continued investment in African infrastructure, even as it shifts towards more sustainable and strategically focused projects.

This development is expected to boost regional trade and economic integration, reinforcing the long-standing ties between China and these African nations. The event highlighted the evolving nature of this partnership, with both sides adapting to new global realities while maintaining a focus on mutual development and cooperation. Despite challenges, the 2024 FOCAC summit reinforced the enduring and dynamic ties between China and Africa, promising continued collaboration in the years to come.