Forum On China-Africa Cooperation:
China is hosting the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, a diplomatic event aimed at strengthening ties with African nations.
- Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was established in 2000 to formalise the strategic partnership between China and African nations.
- A summit is conducted every three years, with the host alternating between China and an African member.
- The FOCAC counts 53 African nations as its members – the entire continent except Eswatini, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan against Beijing’s “One China” Policy.
- The African Union Commission, the continental bloc tasked with ensuring cooperation and economic integration across its member countries, is also a member.
- The theme this year is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
- The current summit is expected to address state governance, industrialisation, agricultural upgradation and improved cooperation over China’s infrastructure financing via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
