The China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) Summit, held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, 2024, has become a significant platform for deepening strategic cooperation between China and Africa. The summit, held in a summit format for the fourth time, was centered around the theme of “Advancing Modernization and Building a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”[i] Various events, including high-level meetings, welcome receptions, cultural performances, and bilateral discussions between Chinese and African leaders, were held as part of the summit. Xi Jinping emphasized that China-Africa relations are historically at their strongest level, and China aims to elevate its bilateral relations with all African countries with which it has formal diplomatic ties to the level of “strategic cooperation.” [ii]
Leaders such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu gathered in Beijing to participate in the three-day forum, seen as one of Beijing’s most important diplomatic events for a long time.[iii] South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are among the most powerful economic and political actors on the African continent. The gathering of these leaders demonstrates that these countries play a strategic role in China’s Africa policies and that a comprehensive vision is adopted to develop multidimensional cooperation.
After the opening ceremony, delegates approved the Beijing Declaration themed “Building a Common Future in a New Era” and the Beijing Action Plan for the 2025-2027 period, according to Chinese state media. Xi Jinping also called for the establishment of a network linking China and Africa by land and sea, advancing this process within the framework of coordinated development.[iv]
On September 5, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China’s relations with Africa were at their strongest historical level, pledging $50 billion in financial aid to the African continent over the next three years and military support.[v] Additionally, he committed to creating at least one million jobs in Africa and deepening cooperation with Africa in key areas such as security, industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and investment. This pledge aims to promote sustainable development between the two sides and realize mutually beneficial projects.
Of the $280 million aid promised to African countries, half is planned as military support, and the other half as food aid. Xi, in addition to the $140 million military aid, pledged support for the training of 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 law enforcement officers and cooperation with Africa under the “Global Security Initiative.”[vi] This step is a strong indication of Beijing’s continued commitment to Africa. Notably, the $140 million military aid promised by China during the triennial China-Africa Cooperation Forum stands out as the largest contribution in this area, showing the growing importance of security in Beijing’s relations with its African partners. As is known, China is carrying out many large infrastructure and development projects in Africa. The sustainability of these projects is critically important in terms of security. Beijing supports these processes with military aid to protect its investments in Africa and ensure stability in the region.
At the China-Africa Summit held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2021, China pledged at least $10 billion in investment and a similar amount in a credit line.[vii] This year, financial aid is set to be provided in Chinese yuan. This development is seen as a strategic move to encourage the global circulation of the yuan and its use in international trade.[viii]
Since the establishment of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, China has positioned itself as a significant power on the African continent. Africa, with its critical minerals and valuable raw materials, holds great strategic importance for China’s industrial production. Chinese companies have made significant investments in the mining sector to secure access to the natural resources necessary for the country’s industrial growth. The extraction of minerals and natural resources, which are crucial for China’s industrial production, lies at the heart of China’s economic strategy in Africa. In addition, China’s development banks have provided substantial credit support for railway, road, and other infrastructure projects in Africa under Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative. While these investments contribute to Africa’s development, they also increase China’s economic and strategic influence on the continent.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised China’s “solidarity” with Africa and drew attention to significant global issues. These issues include conflicts, the impacts of climate change, and “global competition over critical minerals.” According to Ramaphosa, this situation further exacerbates geopolitical tensions.
The increased interest of the US and Europe in Africa has intensified the competition for the continent’s natural resources. China’s investments and presence in Africa, however, have become an important counterbalance to the West’s influence in this region. Access to critical minerals, in particular, allows China to gain an advantage in global supply chains by contributing to its technology and energy sectors. In this context, platforms like FOCAC can be seen as a counter-move by China to deepen its economic and political relations with Africa, countering the West’s influence.
Xi Jinping, in his speech at the forum, emphasized Beijing’s goal of developing a common political line with Africa and voiced the concept of a “shared future” that aligns with China’s vision of offering an alternative to the global order proposed by the US. Xi also highlighted the “deep suffering” developing countries faced during the historical process of modernization led by the West.
In conclusion, the growing great power rivalry between the US and China is pushing China to increasingly focus on the Global South in its diplomatic strategies. In this regard, China’s relations with Africa have become of vital importance in this global competition. Africa, as an important part of the Global South, plays a crucial role in China’s diplomatic maneuvers aimed at balancing US influence. Therefore, the geopolitical choices of African countries have significant implications for China’s strategic interests. For China, this forum, aimed at deepening cooperation with African leaders, serves as an important platform for strengthening partnerships in diplomatic, economic, and security fields. Such international meetings can be seen as a key component of China’s strategy to enhance its soft power and create a broader sphere of influence in global politics.
Author: Ezgi KÖKLEN
[i] “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a Community with a shared Future”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China, https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202409/t20240905_11485607.html, (Access Date: 06.09.2024).
[ii] “China-Africa ties ‘best in history’ claims Xi as Beijing pushes back on Western debt trap criticism”, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/05/china/china-africa-forum-xi-speech-aid-pledge-intl-hnk/index.html, (Access Date: 06.09.2024).
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] “China offers Africa $51 billion in fresh funding, promises a million jobs”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/china-deepen-industrial-agricultural-trade-investment-ties-with-africa-2024-09-05/, (Access Date: 06.09.2024).
[v] “China-Africa ties ‘best in history’ claims Xi as Beijing pushes back on Western debt trap criticism”, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/05/china/china-africa-forum-xi-speech-aid-pledge-intl-hnk/index.html, (Access Date: 06.09.2024).
[vi] “China-Africa ties ‘best in history’ claims Xi as Beijing pushes back on Western debt trap criticism”, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/05/china/china-africa-forum-xi-speech-aid-pledge-intl-hnk/index.html, (Access Date: 06.09.2024).
[vii] Ibid.
[viii] Ibid.