FOCAC Summit: Xi Jinping Meets African Leaders, focuses on Global South

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Xi held talks with Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

In a major diplomatic outreach to the African continent, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed leaders from over 50 African nations this week during the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, showcasing China’s enduring commitment to fostering cooperation with the African continent. Against the backdrop of a shifting global landscape, the summit emphasized China’s focus on promoting modernization, deepening strategic partnerships, and advancing mutual development.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

In a series of high-profile bilateral meetings held ahead of the official FOCAC summit, President Xi met several African heads of state, including leaders from South Africa, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mali, and Chad. These discussions resulted in significant agreements, including the elevation of ties to “comprehensive strategic partnerships” with Nigeria, Malawi, and Chad. The strategic positioning of these partnerships underscores China’s goal to integrate African nations more deeply into global trade, infrastructure development, and industrialization efforts.

During his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr Xi emphasized China’s commitment to addressing widening trade imbalance between the two countries. President Ramaphosa called for a restructuring of trade, with a focus on increasing South African exports such as wool and dairy products to China. Xi responded by pledging to support job creation initiatives in South Africa through expanded investment and local employment programs.

Rekindling Belt and Road

A prominent theme of the summit was the revitalization of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa, which had slowed during the pandemic. Xi stressed that infrastructure remains at the heart of the China-Africa relationship, and in his meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto, the two leaders discussed the completion of Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Xi committed to renewed cooperation to extend the railway, which currently connects the capital, Nairobi, with the coastal city of Mombasa.

President Ruto welcomed China’s continued support for various infrastructure projects, including new energy, roads, and technology-driven systems for Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The Chinese leader also encouraged greater alignment between Kenya’s Vision 2030 and BRI initiatives to accelerate regional integration and economic growth.

Xi’s meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi focused on transforming the African nation’s resource wealth into sustainable development. The DRC, which supplies over 60% of the cobalt used in China’s electric vehicle batteries, is a key player in China’s green energy transition. Xi pledged to deepen cooperation in agriculture and mineral processing, signaling commitment to support the DRC in harnessing its vast natural resources to fuel industrial growth and poverty alleviation.

Global South

Throughout the summit, President Xi positioned China-Africa relations as a pillar of Global South solidarity. The Chinese president emphasized the importance of mutual support in international governance and economic development, framing the relationship as a partnership between equals rather than one of donor and recipient.

Xi’s pledge to promote fairness and justice in global governance resonated with African leaders, many of whom voiced their support for China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. These initiatives are seen as key to fostering greater South-South cooperation, especially as African nations seek to navigate an increasingly multipolar world.

The China-hosted summit is being closely tracked by major partners of Africa such as the US, France and India who are uneasy with China’s growing influence in the continent.

(Kartike Garg contributed inputs for this article)

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