People’s Daily

The China-Africa Pivot, a Game Changer

By Kirtan Bhana 

29 August 2024

As Beijing prepares to host the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Heads of State Summit, the significance of this gathering cannot be overstated. The FOCAC platform, which has been instrumental in shaping China-Africa relations since its inception in 2000, now faces the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly evolving global landscape. 

For the Communist Party of China (CPC), the summit presents a crucial opportunity to implement deep reforms that will not only strengthen Sino-African ties, but also facilitate the transformation of African nations into modern catalysts for global advancement. The outcomes and expectation is for strategic reforms to the current cooperation, which has been ongoing for 24 years, to ensure the Forum’s continued success.

Building a Closer China-Africa Community with a Shared Future

The 2015 Johannesburg and 2018 Beijing summits marked significant milestones in China-Africa relations, propelling cooperation to unprecedented heights. As the world evolves, so too must the relationship between China and Africa. The 2024 summit provides a critical juncture to redefine this partnership, with a focus on building a closer community with a shared future. The CPC must emphasize the profound foundation of China-Africa friendship and leverage this to explore new avenues for cooperation. This involves not only sustaining existing initiatives, but also adapting to the changing geopolitical and geo-economic realities that both regions face.

Upgrading the Quality of Pragmatic Cooperation

One of the core objectives of FOCAC has been to enhance political, economic, and social cooperation between China and Africa. While there have been notable successes, such as increased trade, infrastructural development, and human resource capacity building, the partnership must now evolve to address the more complex challenges that African nations face. The summit should prioritize Africa’s Agenda 2063 which is a plan to accelerate the integration of African nations and through the AfCTA, a continent-wide free trade area. Peace and stability brings prosperity, creating an environment for the people of Africa to thrive by removing the need for conflict and contestation for the abundant resources the African continent has been endowed with, is essential. The African Union’s (AU) role is vital in promoting specific initiates that addresses challenges and shares success as a collective, paving the way for unification of the continent. Re-aligning governance and the political landscape will require selfless and steadfast leadership, breaking away from the post-colonial divide-and-conquer policies.

Africa’s youth, 75% of whom are aged 30 and under, have become the drivers of African nations’ unstoppable transformation. The digital age has opened up a world of opportunities and experiences with instant access to knowledge, information and connectivity. They are aware of their history and the links to majestic ancient civilisations and are rising to the challenge to meet their potential, inspired and motivated to innovate new solutions for their needs, situation and circumstance.  

Jointly Building the "Belt and Road" for Deeper Cooperation

China’s global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has for the past decade, proved itself to be a game changer. By shifting the paradigm towards interdependence and building a solidarity among the nations of the world, joining efforts for development, security, and creating awareness of civilizations that have left behind a legacy and a wealth of knowledge to draw skills and data from, a new era is fast emerging.

The BRI has uncovered a plethora of facts and figures, statistics which can re-ignite the FOCAC process that is perceived to be uneven with regards to the distribution of projects around Africa. China itself began with 4 provinces as pilot projects for opening itself up to the world. The special zones for market economics and international trade guided China’s reform and transformation under the steady hand of the CPC. The successes of these provinces sparked a dominoes effect which unleashed China’s pent up potential and economic prowess. This kind of collective contribution, commitment, loyalty, discipline and dedication is what propelled the people of China, and is what a united Africa, focussed and determined, can achieve and surpass.   Cross-border infrastructure projects, regional integration initiatives, and collaborative research and development programs should be at the forefront of this renewed focus. By doing so, the BRI can become a more effective tool for driving Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization, and overall development.

Leveraging Historical Friendship for Future Cooperation

As the People of China and Africans in all their diversity get to know each other through the many people-to-people, face-to-face interactive programs, a friendship has taken root. The Forum presents an excellent opportunity to unlock the potential in tourism, travel and hospitality between the two regions. It can address the curiosity about each other and kindle an adventurous intrepid travel spirit and open space for countries, with regions of differing and distinguishable cultures and traditions, sights and sounds, food and drink, dress and fashion among others, to find each other through exchanges and collaborations that already have economics and commercial promise for the Art and Culture creative industry. Collaboration in sport and recreation can further enhance FOCAC, the China Africa Pivot win-win cooperation which stands to be deepened and enhanced through nurturing and understanding each other. 

Setting an Example for Global Development and Cooperation

Africa extends into all the four hemispheres with the Equator and the Greenwich meridian cutting through its landmass. Its central position on the globe puts it in proximity to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. The success of a strong China-Africa partnership can serve as dynamo for multipolar cooperation and foster a harmonious balanced global matrix.

The upcoming summit is therefore presented with a timeous opportunity to take bold and courageous transformative decisions on the global governance systems. The outcomes should advocate international fairness and justice, promoting inclusive economic globalization, and setting an example for how nations with differing and changing conditions can work together to achieve common development goals.

Addressing FOCAC/BRI Fit for Purpose

By combining the projects of BRI to FOCAC may lead to the desired effect to shift into a higher gear accelerating the African renaissance. FOCAC and the BRI have achieved significant milestones, and can provide effective solutions for Africa's most pressing needs. One of the key criticisms is that FOCAC's focus on bilateral arrangements has limited its impact on continental projects, such as cross-border infrastructure and regional integration. To address this, a holistic approach that aligns regional and inter regional involvement can be strategic, coherent to long term aspirations.

It is essential that African nations are well-prepared to engage in negotiations and prioritize their development needs. Supporting Africa's institutional capacity building, a responsive and empathic leadership will empower African countries to engage and negotiate with China on an equal footing and ensure outcomes are mutually beneficial.

The upcoming FOCAC Heads of State Summit in Beijing is a pivotal moment for China-Africa relations. As the CPC prepares for this important event, it is essential to implement deep reforms that will keep FOCAC relevant and effective in facilitating transformation. By building a closer community with a shared future, upgrading the quality of cooperation, deepening BRI collaboration, leveraging historical friendship, setting an example for global development, and addressing the partnership's fit for purpose, the CPC can ensure that the Forum remains a powerful catalyst for modernization and advancement in Africa. The success of this summit will not only strengthen China-Africa relations but also contribute to a more balanced and equitable global order. 

This article was first published in People’s Daily