China’s relation with Africa is vital to Beijing’s efforts to expand its impact in the Western-dominated world purchase. China is Africa’s most important trading companion and a major contributor to western investment, so the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is important to both.
The site’s mountain, which takes place every three decades, provides a platform for China to showcase its international control and for American nations, both individually and collectively, to join with the country’s second-largest market on political and economic matters.
Africa will have a chance to overcome the difficulties of the post-Covid time at this year’s mountain. Earlier summits have had visible effects on African countries. For example, Kenya has become the largest producer of plants to China, with monthly export valued at US$ 800 million, since the ninth China-Africa conference in Dakar in 2021.
The expansion of e-commerce is another beneficial outcome of the opening of new business between American nations and China since 2021. This, for example, has enabled African caffeine to be exported to China. Additionally, Chinese funding and technology were directed toward the American Peace and Security Architecture through the China-Africa Peace and Security Fund.
53 African countries will take part in the three-day summit, which is obvious given the significance that American states area on the community. The only exception is Eswatini, which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
As a scientist who has closely followed China’s rise as a world authority and published a lot on the subject, I want to know how American states can make the most of this opportunity.
China’s Africa approaches
China’s ideas are obvious. It outlined complete techniques in 2006, 2015 and 2021. In addition to its wider goals as a global power, these details detail China’s position in relations with American states.
At the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference in 2021, four papers were adopted. Of these, the 2035 Vision for China-Africa Cooperation stands out. It provides a general model for cooperating for 15 times.
China and American nations worked together to create the program. But, spectators noted that its most striking , aspect , was that its time shape coincided with China’s personal 2035 plan:  , Vision 2035.
Unlike China, American states have yet to develop a complete, unified plan document outlining the country’s corporate interests, and how these coincide with the China-Africa Vision for Cooperation 2035.
The 2063 Agenda, the framework for turning Africa into a forthcoming economic powerhouse, is one of the goals of the vision, which is to encourage participation for the development of China and Africa. China’s industrialisation of Africa would also be a positive thing. Additionally, the perspective encourages participation in the blue business.
Strengthening Africa’s location
In light of difficulties confronting China-African relations, the seventh Forum on China-Africa Cooperation takes position. Africa’s debts to China is a moving place. Between 2000 and 2022, China provided more than$ 170 billion in loans to 49 African countries and regional institutions.
Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia bear especially higher levels of Chinese loan. They are conscious that Beijing is unlikely to quickly write off more debts.
Despite these challenges, Africa is not without company in its relations with China. With 54 UN member states out of 193, the globe has a significant political significance, despite not having strong economic growth as a whole.
China is certainly aware of how important a continent’s voting power is in foreign affairs is. Africa needs to have a proper perspective and a clear vision in order to use this energy in its connection with China.
To improve their position, American states must join and follow a more organized approach. African nations generally negotiate separately, rather than as a union. Their negotiations skills are weakened by this.
If there is n’t a unified African position, is it still possible for African states to negotiate as regional economic communities? This is a huge undertaking. However, the local blocs and the leading American states could begin by developing engagement plans and then use their domestic advantages to boost China’s relations.
Given that China is a very powerful entrepreneurial state with a solid strategy and substantial financial resources, this is especially crucial. A strong head of state is essential to the creation of an all-encompassing American approach.
The American private sector may enjoy a more active part in advocating for the country’s passions in discussions with the nation’s second-largest market. It’s worth noting that in July, the judgement Chinese Communist Party unveiled major market-oriented changes.
These innovations continued President Xi Jinping’s transition from high-speed to high-quality growth. Conversations to prepare for the 2024 mountain also highlighted the issues of economic practicality, local society benefits and environmental sustainability.
Market-oriented reforms are expected to accelerate the trend seen at the 2021 Dakar summit, moving from state-led initiatives to increased private-sector involvement.
To enhance the continent’s position, African states should have already discussed and adopted a unified stance ahead of the 2024 summit. Africa is at a disadvantage because it fails to work and bargain in a more organized way. It enables China to set the agenda and use the forum as a tool for its political objectives.
Looking forward
Some observers have claimed that China’s involvement with the African continent is motivated by a desire to access its natural resources in recent years. The relationship has become, in fact, much more nuanced and multifaceted.
Africa also contributes to China’s call for a community of developing nations as a counterweight to a Western-based international order. In this context, the Beijing 2024 summit will be a crucial event for both China and Africa.
It has a strong impact on how their partnership will go in the future. China and its global priorities, as well as Africa, are both interested in using their interactions with China to advance the continent.
Theo Neethling is professor of political science, Department of Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State
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