FOCAC 2018: Proliferating Partnerships During Uncertain Times

the older generation in China can often be heard affectionately referring to Africans as feizhou xiongdi or African brothers. This term of endearment most likely originates from a time when the atmosphere of solidarity among developing nations was beginning to emerge, manifesting in gatherings like the Bandung Conference, and spurred by China’s realization of how crucial Africa’s support would be to its integration into the international community. Africa has long held a special place in Chinese foreign policy with the Forum on China-africa Cooperation (FOCAC) being the most significant embodiments of this.

The last gathering of this triennial forum took place in Johannesburg in 2015 and concluded with the adoption of the Johannesburg Action Plan, a roadmap for cooperation between China and Africa in the three years until the next summit, to be held this year.

Looking ahead, the FOCAC Summit of September is of particular significance because it coincides with key shifts in the global economy and regional dynamics that present an opportunity for both China and Africa.

Strengthening global demand underpinned by an all-round recovery of momentum in the growth of the global economy is allowing African economies to stabilize and grow as commodity prices rise. Given the central role commodity revenues play in the vitality of economies on the continent, Africa can take advantage of the recovering commodity revenues to invest in the advancement of broader developmental objectives.

A result of the structural character of many African economies is that their sectorial orientation toward raw material and commodity exports and imports of manufactures has generated “immiserizing growth” on the continent. The kind of economic growth led by commodities is not necessarily bringing greater prosperity to African countries. The detrimental terms of trade brought about by these structural deficiencies, a legacy of extractive economies established during the colonial era, have long been problematized but there has been little success in overcoming them. This has prioritized the issue of economic diversification in many African countries. Cooperation with China has been identified as an important avenue through which to achieve this in addition to expanded intra-continental trade.

The importance of the FOCAC has been recognized by member states. Truly harnessing the potential that the platform offers will depend on African players developing an acute China-awareness and actively finding ways to use the FOCAC framework to address their unique challenges. Chinese players must likewise continue to develop an Africa-awareness, which would entail building the capacity to navigate economic relationships with countries far smaller than itself so that the sense of reciprocity and mutual benefit is truly felt.

1/South

June: China and South Sudan signed a technical cooperation agreement for the modernization of state broadcasters in the East African nation. The project cost estimated at $15 million will enable the construction of two stateof-the-art broadcast studios and will also offer capacity building for South Sudanese journalists through media exchanges.

2/Ethiopia June:

Ethiopia’s Chinese-built Eastern Industry Zone is expected to start the construction of the second phase as soon as demands from foreign companies increase. There are currently 83 companies under construction or operational inside the industry zone, of which 56 have already started production.

3/Kenya Sudan & South Sudan

A Chinese firm has won the tender to construct the first tarmac road that extends to South Sudan from Kenya’s north region. China National Aerotechnology International Engineering Corp. has been contracted to undertake the construction of the 60-km road worth $20 million in a region referred to as Kenya’s breadbasket.

4/Zimbabwe June:

Zimbabwe and China’s Tsingshan Holding Group signed a $1-billion MOU for establishing a steel plant in the Midlands Province that can produce up to 2 million tons of steel per annum. When fully operational, this project is expected to create 3,000 permanent jobs over the life of the project which is estimated at 25 years.

5/namibia June: June:

Namibian President Hage Geingob officially inaugurated the Oshikoto Police Regional Headquarters and the Omuthiya Police Station situated in the north of the country. The facilities were constructed and completed last year by China Jiangxi International Namibia.