Next month's FOCAC will show China and Africa scripting a new chapter of building a community with a shared future

China will host the next Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing in early September, with the theme "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future".

As the summit will take place at a time of growing China-Africa friendship, solidarity and cooperation, the two sides are engaged in wide-ranging communication and consultation in preparation for the summit to ensure practical, constructive and mutually beneficial outcomes.

At the upcoming FOCAC, Africa and China will further pursue the continued implementation of previously adopted FOCAC measures, leading to stepped up future cooperation in key areas such as economic and market integration, industrialization, green energy, agricultural modernization and talent cultivation. Joint efforts will also be made for the promotion of the commendable Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

It is generally agreed by analysts and experts that the establishment of the FOCAC in October 2000 in Beijing initiated a new vital, "game-changing" and strategic phase of Africa and China cooperation. The FOCAC has, in fact, become a vital and central platform for future friendship and cooperation between Africa and China. Due to the strong drive and practical approach inherent in the FOCAC process, infrastructure development, human resource development, governance exchanges and financial support have become key pillars underpinning Africa and China relations.

It is against this background of a strong, growing cooperation and extensive contact and exchanges between China and Africa, that the latter developed deep respect and admiration for China's development experience. Africa has witnessed the profound changes and progress China has made over the past 70 years, based on its people-first approach, hard work, innovation, reform and opening-up. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the country has embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and achieved remarkable outcomes by creating a "moderately prosperous society", which is generally regarded as a miracle of development that is unmatched worldwide.

In fact, a large number of countries in the Global South are increasingly expressing confidence that China's modernization approach could contribute to enhanced governance, development opportunities and options for innovation and they can learn from China's experience and apply it based on the situations in their own countries. In fact, this reflects an integral part of China's foreign policy, namely to deepen Global South cooperation, promote North-South dialogue, prioritize development, form synergy among development strategies of all parties, and foster new development drivers, so as to improve the FOCAC and promote the building of a global community of development.

Since its establishment, the FOCAC has effectively contributed to the transformation of the long-standing traditional friendship and solidarity between Africa and China into a multi-sectorial, concrete, measurable and mutually beneficial relationship which continues to flourish.

Another encouraging feature of the FOCAC process is the growing dialogue and consultation at both intergovernmental and nongovernmental levels involving a broad range of actors, culminating in building consensus on key objectives and issues of common concern, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

The progress of the FOCAC has not only withstood the test of time in an uncertain international landscape but also become an increasingly adopted model for international cooperation.

President Xi Jinping's speech at the FOCAC's opening ceremony in Dakar in 2021, during which he provided a strategic plan and overarching blueprint for future China-Africa cooperation, was widely acclaimed by African leaders and people at the time.

The FOCAC conference in Dakar also produced a dynamic and comprehensive economic cooperation plan that assisted the two sides in adapting to the changes in the global economy while emphasizing the compatibility of each other's development paths. The "China and Africa Vision 2035"plan contributed to enhanced China-Africa cooperation in the following sectors on an ongoing basis: health, poverty reduction, agriculture, trade and investment promotion, digital innovation, green development, capacity building, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and peace and security. The progress made since and the road ahead may be among the key issues on FOCAC's agenda in Beijing.

The impressive range of measures announced by China were effectively aligned with the key and major objectives of Africa's strategy to accelerate growth, sustainable and inclusive development inter alia in the African Union's Agenda 2063, African Continental Free Trade Area and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development context. In fact, mutual respect, treating each other as equals and joint consultation are important features of FOCAC.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that for Africa to fully reap its benefits, the FOCAC must be strengthened and enhanced. South Africa is therefore looking forward to the state visit by its president on the margins of the FOCAC in Beijing next month, which would reciprocate the fourth state visit undertaken by President Xi on the margins of the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa in 2023.

It should also be pointed out that the FOCAC 2024 will be held against the backdrop of a polarized global landscape due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and other places, as well as numerous economic and security challenges. Given the growing geopolitical turbulence, transformation and uncertainty of the globalized world, there are many global challenges which have become increasingly integrated. The downside is that global responses to these challenges are unfortunately more and more fragmented than ever before.

It is against the backdrop of these concerns that President Xi stated recently that: "In the face of common challenges, no person or country can remain insulated. The only way out is to work together in harmony with one accord."

The outcome of the FOCAC next month, will undoubtedly illustrate that Africa and China will continue to increase the role, influence and cohesion of the FOCAC, as its platform for collective dialogue and a mechanism for practical cooperation, in its joint endeavors to advance its strategic partnership toward the next level and the defining of a new and exciting chapter in the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

The author is a senior research fellow at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University and a former senior diplomat in the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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