Diplomatic Inside

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is set to take place in Beijing, China, from September 4, 2024, under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” In anticipation of this milestone event, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa hosted a book launch on Friday, marking an important moment in the ongoing discussion of China-Africa relations.

The book, “Xi Jinping and the Flourishing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in the New Era,” authored by renowned South African academic and researcher Prof. Paul Zilungisele Tembe, was unveiled during the event. The launch was attended by representatives from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the African National Congress (ANC), University of Johannesburg (UJ), and many other institutions, who offered insights into the strengthening ties between China and Africa.

Prof. Tembe’s book offers a comprehensive analysis of these developments, emphasizing how FOCAC continues to shape China-Africa relations and the modernization agendas across the continent. The event highlighted the anticipation surrounding the upcoming FOCAC Summit and the role it will play in furthering these critical discussions.

In his keynote speech, H.E. Wu Peng, the Ambassador of China to Pretoria mentioned that South Africa and China are a big partner in their journey towards modernization. “President Xi Jinping has visited the African continent 10 times.  He put forward new concepts for China to develop relations with Africa, such as China Africa community with a shared future.  the principle of assuming the greater good and shared interest, and the principle of sincerity, real results, equity, and good faith. These concepts pointed out the way forward and provide a fundamental guideline for China Africa cooperation in the New York.  The forum of China Africa cooperation is the most important symbol of China’s African solidarity and cooperation. For the past 24 years, since its formation, FOCAc has become a very good example for international cooperation with Africa and a model for South South cooperation.” Ambassador Wu Peng emphasized the important role of FOCAC.

“Chinese companies work with their African counterparts together, building networks in African countries. They have served more than 600 million African people, improving African capacity.  for self-reliance, sustainable development, and creating a lot of opportunities for both China and Africa to make progress and achieve prosperity.” The Ambassador mentioned.

Former Minister and ANC NEC member Lindiwe Zulu thanked the People’s Republic of China for its significant role in supporting the African National Congress and the international struggle. She emphasized China’s ongoing commitment to strengthening China-South Africa bilateral relations and other diplomatic endeavors. Zulu expressed her appreciation and congratulated the distinguished South African scholar on China, Professor Paul Tembe, for effectively sharing his extensive experience of living in China.

Henry Short, Director of the NEPAD, Partnerships, and APRM Directorate at DIRCO; Bongani Mayimele, Director of International Relations and Partnerships at NSG; Prof. Arthur Mutambara, Director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge at UJ; Kennedy Mudzuli, Chair of the South African National Press Club; and Dr. Jeffrey Mathethe Sehume, Co-author and Chief of Staff in the office of the DTIC, were among the speakers at the book launch. The event was attended by journalists, students, and academics.

As Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, China’s relationship with the continent has seen tremendous growth. Trade between the two reached a record $282.1 billion in 2023, reflecting the depth and significance of this partnership. Diplomatic ties between China and South Africa have also evolved over the years, with bilateral trade surging from just under $1.6 billion in 1998 to nearly $56 billion in 2023.