African leaders are gathering in China this week for a highly anticipated summit with President Xi Jinping, as Beijing continues to deepen its influence on the continent amidst a quiet rivalry with Western powers.
The China-Africa summit, running from September 4 to 6, will see leaders from across Africa meet with top Chinese officials to discuss policies and cooperation agreements.
These discussions will set the stage for the evolving relationship between the continent and its largest lender and investor for years to come.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has hailed the event as the “largest diplomatic gathering” hosted by the country in recent years, boasting the highest attendance of foreign leaders. The ministry described the conference as a “grand reunion of the China-Africa big family,” underscoring the significance of the event for both sides.
Unrivaled Access to Africa’s Resources
In past summits, China has secured unprecedented access to Africa’s raw material markets, while African nations have benefited from increased investment.
The latest meeting, officially known as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marks the ninth such summit since its inception in 2000.
The discussions are expected to focus on themes including industrialization, agricultural advancements, security, and cooperation under China’s ambitious Belt and Road initiative. This massive infrastructure project aims to connect multiple continents with China, solidifying its global economic presence.
The official theme of the summit, as announced by China’s foreign ministry, is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
In line with this theme, Beijing plans to host a series of events for its distinguished guests, including a welcoming banquet, an opening ceremony, four general summits, and several bilateral meetings between Xi and various African leaders.
The timing of this summit is crucial for China, as it seeks to counterbalance the influence of the United States and Europe in Africa and other developing regions. Despite regular summits held by the US, Japan, India, and Russia to court African leaders, China remains unmatched as the continent’s primary economic partner.
For Beijing, the summit is more than just a diplomatic gathering; it’s a chance to showcase its growing prominence on the global stage.
As noted by Jana de Kluiver, a researcher at the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies, Africa’s importance to China lies not only in its economic potential but also in its diplomatic weight at the United Nations.
“Africa is important to China because of the strength of its votes at the United Nations General Assembly. Those photos with African leaders, those big headlines on the papers, will be very important for President Xi to get.”
Jana de Kluiver
China’s Diplomatic and Economic Goals
On the business front, China is expected to entice African leaders with additional investment opportunities while pushing for better access to critical minerals such as lithium, copper, and cobalt.
These minerals, vital for renewable energy technologies, are mined by Chinese companies in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
China is also likely to advocate for increased exports of its domestically-produced goods, particularly in the renewable energy sector, where it has made significant investments.
Meanwhile, African nations will be looking to secure commitments on some previously unfulfilled promises from past summits.
Countries like the DRC may also seek agreements ensuring that Chinese companies process the raw materials they extract within the country, boosting local revenue and creating jobs for Africa’s burgeoning youth population.
At least 53 African heads of state or their representatives, along with ministerial delegates, are expected to attend the summit. The only African country not represented will be Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a territory China claims as its own.
In addition to the African leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be a special guest at the summit, along with representatives from several international and regional organizations.
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