Relations between China and Africa span a variety of sectors. The establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has played a critical role in elevating China-Africa ties to a new level. FOCAC's next meeting will take place in Senegal this year, at a key juncture in the platform's history. 

On this occasion, ChinAfrica talked to Martin Mpana, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Cameroon to China, and Siyabonga Cwele, Ambassador of South Africa to China, to get their thoughts on the platform and their expectations for the next summit. Here are excerpts: 

Martin Mpana 

Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Cameroon to China 

Since its founding in 2000, FOCAC has served as a forum for conversation and pragmatic collaboration between African countries and China. To that aim, the two sides have developed mechanisms to promote and enhance mutual understanding among partners, such as the Ministerial Conference, which formally began in 2002. The Eighth Ministerial Meeting, like the previous seven, will give a chance for each delegation participating in the conference to describe its goals for future collaboration with China within the FOCAC framework.

To begin with, the topic of African nations' debt to China, which China has previously addressed on the occasion of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 in June 2020, might be the subject of further in-depth talks, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cameroon appreciates Chinese measures aimed at alleviating strain on the treasuries of African nations badly impacted by the pandemic.

Furthermore, the upcoming FOCAC conference will give a chance for Cameroon to understand the Belt and Road Initiative better, whose financial methods and processes Cameroon would like to learn more about. This partnership will be even more prominent.

Cameroon is involved in the execution of big infrastructure projects that require considerable financing to be completed within the timeframes.

To that aim, a more refined convergence of ideas between Cameroonian and Chinese public authorities, on the one hand, and the public and private sectors on both parties, on the other, enshrines my country's aspirations for this event.

A staff member shows cameroonian handicrafts at the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services at Shougang Park in Beijing on September 3 (XINHUA) 

Siyabonga Cwele 

Ambassador of South Africa to China 

Since its launch in 2000, FOCAC has grown both in extent and scope. It serves as an effective platform for south-south cooperation focused on the tangible improvement of the quality of lives of all the people. The progress made over the last 21 years demonstrates the tangible and lasting benefit of FOCAC to the people of Africa and China.

The relationship that we have forged through FOCAC is premised on the fundamental and inalienable right of the African people to determine their own future. It is premised on the African Union's Agenda 2063, a vision that has been crafted in Africa by Africans. It is a vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.

It is a vision of a continent where commerce, trade, investment, skills and knowledge move freely within the continent. We are working to build an Africa that is defined by good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.

We look at China as a valuable and committed partner in advancing the Agenda 2063. It is in pursuit of this vision that we have embraced China's Belt and Road Initiative.

As we look forward to the upcoming FOCAC meeting in Senegal later this year, we will seek to continue working with China through FOCAC and other mechanisms to ensure that Africa's development is prominent on the international agenda through partnership and investment initiatives in areas such as industrial development, infrastructure, human resource development, health care, energy transition, green economy, and peace and security, among others.

Through this partnership, we are working together to advance growth and development on the African continent, people-to-people ties and youth development.

We have observed with interest and admiration China's remarkable economic ascendance. We applaud its achievements in social development, which includes lifting millions of people out of poverty. There are many valuable lessons that Africa can learn from China's impressive growth model and its approach to meeting the needs of its people.

It is important also that we promote investment-led trade between Africa and China, which addresses the nature and quality of investment in Africa. We should seek inward investment that enables industrial development and the export of more value-added products.

The economic value of FOCAC - to both Africa and China - is particularly important in the context of an increasingly uncertain global environment. We should be using platforms such as FOCAC to reaffirm our shared commitment to multilateralism, a fair and transparent system of international trade and a global economic architecture that promotes the interests of the developing world.

Africa is the next frontier of growth in the world. In the coming decades, it will create many opportunities not only for its people, but also for economic partners such as China.

China's investment in Africa, its strengthening trade ties and its consistent support for Africa's development will benefit the people of Africa and China well into the future. CA

The South Africa pavilion at the Second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, Hunan Province, on September 27 (GE LIJUN) 

(Print Edition Title: Toward Closer Collaboration) 

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