As an Egyptian expert in Chinese political affairs, what caught my attention most analytically during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was his proposal to upgrade the overall status of China-Africa relations to “an ever-resilient China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era”, during his speech at the 2024 FOCAC Summit held in the Chinese capital, Beijing. Egyptian President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi” always emphasizes the importance of cooperation between China and Africa as an example to be emulated for effective and constructive cooperation between developing countries and an effective model for multilateral African cooperation frameworks, in addition to Egypt’s continued work to enhance and activate the partnership between China and Africa. Hence, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call to strengthen the building of a community with a shared future for mankind between China and Africa, and to link China’s Belt and Road Initiative with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries. In this regard, Chinese President “Xi” put forward (8 initiatives) that were well received to advance these goals that are expected to enhance development, peace and security on the African continent.
In preparation for hosting this important Chinese-African event, which will run from September 4-6, 2024, Beijing has tightened security measures while placing signs on roads and bus stops stressing that China and Africa “stand together for a brighter future”. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 2024 adopted the “Beijing Declaration on Building an Inclusive China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”. With Chinese President “Xi Jinping” officially announcing before the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that Beijing is ready to issue a joint statement with Africa within the framework of the global development initiative that includes 1,000 projects, stressing that: “We are ready to provide all possible assistance to combat epidemics in Africa and launch 20 medical and health projects there”.
The Chinese president “Xi Jinping” stressed at the China-Africa Cooperation Forum that Beijing will establish 500 charitable projects in Africa and provide 1 billion yuan in emergency food aid, expressing readiness to establish 30 new energy projects in Africa and establish a joint platform for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Chinese president explained at the China-Africa Cooperation Forum that Beijing is ready to establish 30 infrastructure linkage projects in Africa and promote Belt and Road Initiative projects, adding: “We are ready to establish 24 digital projects to promote the technological revolution in Africa”.
They’re many ways to further improve the quality and level of China-Africa cooperation. In this context, China and African countries have developed a vision for the year 2035, with the aim of defining the directions and objectives of medium- and long-term cooperation and promoting a better community with a shared future for China and Africa. The joint pursuit of modernization by China and Africa will unleash a wave of modernization in the Global South and open a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
This was confirmed by Chinese President “Xi Jinping” during his speech at the opening session of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum 2024 in the Chinese capital, Beijing, when he stressed that “his country is ready to work with Africa to implement 10 joint action plans in the next three years”. Pointing out that the 10 action plans of the partnership will cover the areas of (mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, interconnectivity and communication, development cooperation, health, agriculture, cultural exchanges, green development, and common security). Chinese President “Xi Jinping” also proposed raising the overall level of China-Africa relations to a community of shared future in all areas in the new era, and raising bilateral relations between China and all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China to the level of strategic relations.
The 2024 FOCAC Summit is expected to enhance China’s role as a major partner in Africa’s development and a leading country in the global South, and this meeting will be a valuable opportunity to further consolidate the strategic, economic and diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Investment and trade cooperation between China and Africa has grown significantly, injecting strong impetus into the development of China-Africa relations. In the current century, 52 African countries and the African Union Commission have signed cooperation documents on jointly building the Belt and Road with China. Africa is the first continent to welcome and support global development initiatives led by China, and 33 countries have joined the (Group of Friends of the Belt and Road Initiative), accounting for more than 40% of the total number of Belt and Road Initiative member countries worldwide.
China has taken a different stance from Western governments in economic cooperation with Africa. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has continued to advance to new levels, bringing tangible benefits to the people of China and Africa.
The China-Africa Cooperation Forum is an important platform for collective dialogue between China and African countries and an effective mechanism for promoting practical cooperation between them. African governments are keen to work with the Chinese side to benefit from the China-Africa Forum in order to raise the level of cooperation, which will enable them to face common challenges and contribute to achieving the aspirations of the people and building a better future for them. The Chinese side, in turn, renewed its commitment to continue supporting economic and social development in various African countries, and its full readiness to support their efforts in implementing strategic projects, especially in the sectors of health, infrastructure, energy, transportation, scientific research, agriculture, and the transition to a green economy, and other sectors that are agreed upon.
The future development trend between China and African countries can be analyzed by understanding China’s reliance on a new concept in international relations today called “partnership to build the future.” This concept is added to the basic concept of the Chinese geopolitical school, which is called “communication.” China has not left any opportunity for others to draw the geopolitical map of the world, which has gone beyond American unipolarity.
China has worked to encourage countries, especially in Africa, to diversify their international partnerships to create a multipolar international world away from the language of conflict and American hegemony and theories of conflict, competition and civilizational conflict, with China calling for global development initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, global development, global civilization, global security, and the voice of the global south.
Today, Egypt finds itself in a strategic framework, given its location between Africa, Europe, the Arab and Islamic world, the Middle East, and the Red Sea and the eastern and western Mediterranean basins. Therefore, Egypt can value this important strategic paper, which represents for China a basic fact in the equation of expansion in the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, and at the same time an entrance to Africa, which considers Egypt one of its most important symbolic engines culturally and politically. In this regard, Egypt and African countries must exploit this rapprochement with China through multiple partnerships and exiting the American, Western and European cloak and appreciating its capabilities, which the West has drained and rebalancing relations with all partners based on the principle of (national sovereignty, respect for the country’s independence and non-interference in internal affairs).
Regarding the areas of cooperation that Egypt and African countries can propose within the framework of their participation in the activities of the China-Africa Forum 2024, it is possible to discuss many areas with the Chinese side, including Egyptian and African ports within the maritime trade exchange network, in which China is a pioneer and the first global power in this field.
During this international event, infrastructure projects and health infrastructure can also be discussed, especially since Egypt and African countries have experience with China in this field, in addition to the role of the free economic zone in the western part of the Egyptian Suez Canal and the Chinese projects there (TEDA), which is considered one of the strategic areas of cooperation and exchange between the two parties.
Accordingly, we understand that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech came as a summary of the agenda for cooperation and development between China and Africa over the next three years, with the China-Africa Cooperation Forum being held every three years. With the China-Africa Forum this year, 2024, focusing on ways to enhance China-Africa cooperation within the framework of the initiatives adopted by Beijing in this regard, and in line with the goals of the China-Africa development agenda.