Luanda - The 9th China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) kicks off on Wednesday in Beijing, Chin,a with the presence of African leaders, including Angola, whose delegation is led by the Foreign minister, Téte António.
At this meeting, a series of important developments are expected to shape the China-Africa partnership.
Taking into account the previous initiatives, the event will continue to prioritize the expansion of trade and industrialization.
Although trade volumes between China and Africa have increased, there is still a significant need for diversification in exports to Africa.
Therefore, the conference should consider the relocation of Chinese factories to the continent, as well as the use of economic and commercial cooperation zones, to improve Africa's industrial and production capabilities.
In terms of infrastructure, FOCAC9 could see the emergence of intracontinental cooperation.
China's infrastructure projects with Africa were defined by bilateral cooperation, but regional cooperation would make it possible to significantly increase loans.
African countries could organize joint financing structures or borrower clubs with institutions such as the China Exim Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Improving interpersonal relationships could also occupy a prominent place at this year's conference.
During the China-Africa leaders' dialogue in 2023, the China-Africa Talent Development Cooperation Plan was announced, through which China pledges to provide more vocational training to teachers, principals and technical personnel, and to operate exchange pilot.
Furthermore, recovery from the pandemic is expected to bring a renewed focus on cultural exchange, potentially ushering in a new era of Chinese and African tourism.
Outside these areas, basic points on the agenda, such as health cooperation, agricultural development and digital economy initiatives, will likely be reviewed with new perspectives and reinforced commitments.
As can be seen from the evolution of FOCAC, the forum is continually expanding the scope of China-Africa engagement, and due to that the conference of this year is expected to build on previous successes while at the same time exploring new ways for collaboration.
The event, considered to be a crucial key to Sino-African diplomacy over the past two decades, offers important opportunities on the trajectory of China's engagement with the continent.
Previous meetings have focused on industrialization, infrastructure development and most recently, health cooperation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Climate Change
Considering China's growing emphasis on climate and environmental issues globally, all based on the "Green Belt and Road Initiative" that is evolving in China, a shift towards "green" initiatives is expected, with announcements about renewable energy projects, sustainable transport and cooperation in climate finance.
The Chinese Government assured that it is prepared to support African efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and combat vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
The People's Republic of China's intention to help the continent was expressed in statements made to journalists in Beijing on Tuesday by the deputy director-general of the Center for Foreign Environmental Cooperation of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Li Yonghong.
The Chinese official also guaranteed China's commitment to offering assistance, highlighting that climate change is a global phenomenon, which requires joint action to be overcome. Likewise, he mentioned that there is an active response from China to climate initiatives in Africa, as proof of commitment.
The Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Climate Change, said the deputy director-general, establishes a strategic cooperative partnership between China and Africa on climate change.
"In the context of climate change reduction and adaptation projects, it provides a variety of assistance, including satellite systems, mobile meteorological satellite receiving stations, solar photovoltaic stations, more than a 3,000 solar LED streetlights, more than 20,000 energy solar photovoltaic power generation systems (25,550), nearly 20,000 energy-saving air conditioners and more than 800,000 energy-saving LED lamps were issued”, he said.
To Li Yonghong, China's initiatives have effectively supported the capacity building efforts of African countries to adapt to climate change, highlighting that the Chinese Government has signed 19 Memorandums of Understanding with 17 African countries on South-South cooperation on climate change, including an agreement on the construction of low-carbon demonstration zones in selected countries on the continent.
“In addition, more than 400 officials, experts and technicians from African countries in the area of climate change participated in seminars in China to improve skills and knowledge on the subject”, he explained.
With all this, it is expected that concrete financial promises will be closely re-examined.
Previous meetings presented commitments that attracted attention, such as the USD 60 billion financing package announced in 2015 and again in 2018.
There will probably not be promises on the same scale, but this time the details may be more revealed, with greater collaboration with African financial institutions, particularly regional development banks.
Finally, the forum offers an unparalleled opportunity for face-to-face diplomacy.
African leaders will “compete” for valuable one-on-one moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping, primarily taking advantage of these meetings to negotiate urgent issues such as debt restructuring.
As several African nations face significant debt challenges, the summit could become a stage for China to show commitment to debt relief.
As the world's attention turns to this intense diplomatic action, the results of the FOCAC summit offer crucial opportunities on the future of China-Africa relations and China's evolving role on the global stage.
ART/MRA/jmc
