What does FOCAC mean for the Global South?
Recently, the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing, which was attended by leaders of the 53 African countries having diplomatic ties with China, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), and representatives from over 30 international and African organizations.
More than 3,000 journalists from all over the world were also present, who often used words like "impressive achievements" and "paramount importance" in their coverage of this event. Indeed, both the Chinese and the African sides were satisfied with and confident in this Summit. It is particularly worth noting that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described China's partnership with the African continent as "the main pillar of South-South cooperation" at the opening session of the event. In that sense, what does FOCAC mean for the Global South?
As we move towards an increasingly globalized and multipolar world, the Summit should be taken seriously for at least two reasons. To begin with, it is a shining example of solidarity and common development of the Global South countries. Such solidarity, rising above geographical distance, is based on an understanding of a shared future and the aspiration for win-win cooperation.
China-Africa cooperation has not always been smooth sailing, with problems and challenges popping up every now and then. One of them is trade imbalance, which has been raised by some African leaders straightforwardly. Despite new highs in China-Africa trade, Africa's export to China is lagging way behind its import, with the former being primarily raw materials and the latter mostly finished products. This imbalance arises from the difference between China and Africa in resource endowments, development stage, and industrial structure and it has been meticulously discussed at previous FOCAC meetings.
At this Summit, concrete actions were announced once again. China will give the 33 least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, and strengthen investment in key areas of Africa's manufacturing sector in order to help African countries build capacity for self-generated development. Additionally, China will lend greater support to the construction of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
It is precisely through this continuous process of mutual adaptation and problem-solving that China-Africa relations have grown more robust and mature. In fact, not just for African countries, but for most of the less developed nations, conventional foreign aid and low-level technology transfers are no longer sufficient to support rapid development. The constantly improved China-Africa cooperation model shows the possibility of deeper and broader South-South cooperation, and also represents a new type of partnership among the Global South countries that is fair and sustainable. This partnership is no longer only about direct exchanges of political and economic interests, but more about resource sharing and technology transfer, with the goal of achieving greater breakthroughs in innovative and coordinated development.
Second, this Summit has highlighted the potential of the Global South in shaping international affairs, and shown the way forward as to how we could better participate in global governance. Modernization of the west once inflicted great suffering on many Global South countries, keeping us marginalized in the international system for a long time. Each Global South member has its own development vision which aims at a better future, including the AU's Agenda 2063, 2050 Long-Term Vision of Nigeria, Vision 2050 of Rwanda, Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 of China, Golden Indonesia 2045 of Indonesia, Novo Pac of Brazil and 2019-2024 National Development Plan of Mexico. For all these initiatives, the ultimate goal is modernization for all.
Under the framework of FOCAC, 52 African countries and the AU Commission have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. A host of signature projects and "small and beautiful" livelihood projects have been launched. African development strategies are closely aligned with Chinese initiatives, connecting the aspirations and dreams of both the Chinese and African peoples. With the support and coordination efforts of China and many other parties, the AU has gained accession to the G20, and African industrialization, an issue that interests Africa, is put on the G20 agenda for the first time.
Additionally, two more African countries joined the BRICS mechanism. As Africa grows more significant in international affairs, the way it interacts with the rest of the world is also evolving. Despite differences in political system, values, and development stage, Global South countries have similar historical experiences and are in similar situations now. We also share the same goals and visions. If we build more bridges of communication among the Global South countries, treat each other with sincerity, promote win-win cooperation, and fully integrate visions and resources of all sides, a powerful force for change will be unleashed, turning our dreams into reality.
To conclude, the joint efforts of China and Africa to pursue modernization have fully shown the power of South-South cooperation. They also speak volumes to the world about the fact that the Global South can take up a more important role in global governance.
