China Hosts African Leaders, Reshaping Global South Cooperation

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, a triennial event established in 2000, is currently underway in Beijing. This gathering brings together leaders and senior officials from 50 African nations, underscoring China's ongoing efforts to strengthen its ties with the developing world.

Xi Jinping, China's leader, is hosting the event, which serves as a platform for China to showcase its diplomatic outreach to the Global South. The forum, now in its 24th year, has become a cornerstone of China's foreign policy strategy, aiming to reshape global trade and geopolitics.

China's engagement with Africa has deep historical roots. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 under Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist Party has aligned itself with African liberation movements, positioning itself as a fellow fighter against colonialism. This historical context continues to influence China's rhetoric, with state media often framing the relationship in terms of a shared struggle against "imperialism."

However, in the past decade, economic interests have primarily driven China's engagement with Africa. The announcement of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 marked a significant shift, leading to a surge in Chinese financing for infrastructure projects across the continent. Chinese bank financing peaked at $28.4 billion in 2016, focusing on roads, railways, and ports, as well as securing access to oil, gas, and critical minerals.

Recent years have seen a transformation in China's approach to development finance in Africa. The global pandemic and economic challenges have prompted a shift towards smaller, lower-risk projects. In 2023, Chinese loans to Africa reached $4.6 billion, the highest in five years, with a focus on the financial sector and risk-sharing with local partners.

Renewable energy has emerged as a key area of cooperation. Africa, despite having nearly a fifth of the world's population, accounts for only about 2% of global electricity production. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity. In 2023, China signed three deals in Africa worth $500 million for renewable energy projects, including solar farms and hydropower plants.

Chinese companies, particularly in the electric vehicle and solar panel sectors, are increasingly viewing Africa as a potential market for exports and manufacturing investment. This shift comes as the European Union and the United States have raised tariffs on Chinese clean technology exports, prompting Chinese firms to seek new markets.

As the forum progresses, it's clear that China's relationship with Africa continues to evolve. While grand financial pledges may be less prominent than in previous years, the focus on smaller, strategic investments and renewable energy projects signals a new phase in China-Africa cooperation. This approach reflects China's adaptation to changing global economic conditions and its ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with the Global South.

"The more complex the international situation becomes, the more Global South countries must uphold independence."

The current forum serves not only as a platform for economic cooperation but also as a stage for China to assert its role in global governance. As the international landscape continues to shift, the outcomes of this gathering will likely have far-reaching implications for both China-Africa relations and the broader dynamics of the Global South.