China Outlines Program of Upcoming FOCAC Summit 2024

On 23 August 2024, the Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs CHEN Xiaodong outlined the program for the upcoming 9th FOCAC Summit 2024 (#FOCAC2024) during a press briefing in Beijing.

The 9th #FOCAC Summit is scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 September 2024 under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with Shared Future”. This 9th edition will schedule four high-level meetings to discuss State Governance, Industrialization & Agricultural Modernization, Peace & Security, and High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation.

Other than heads of state or government of African countries, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission is invited, as well as the UN Secretary-General who is a special guest. Representatives of related international and regional organizations will also attend the Summit as observers.

In honor of the dignitaries, Chinese President XI Jinping and the first lady PENG Liyuan will host a welcome banquet in the evening of 4 September 2024. During the plenary opening session in the morning on the 5th of September 2024, President Xi will deliver the keynote address in the Great Hall of the People. On 6 September 2024, the 8th China-Africa Entrepreneurs Forum will take place at the China National Convention Center where Chinese Premier LI Qiang and other Africa leaders will deliver speeches.

Prior to the official start of the Summit, a ministerial-level conference is scheduled on the 3 September 2024. The Conference will review the progress since the last FOCAC Summit and contribute to chart a new course until the next Summit after three years.

The 9th Summit plans to summarize its outcomes via two documents, namely, the Joint Declaration and the Action Plan. These documents will then serve as a guide to the principles and priorities for the China-Africa cooperation over the next three years until the next #FOCAC Summit.

So far, the China-Africa partnership is based on the following key principles and programs which have been agreed upon at previous editions:

• Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence
• Eight Major Initiatives
• Nine Programs
• Ten Cooperation Plans

In order to reinforce the ‘shared destiny’, China will seek tighter integration and synergies between the China’s #BRI and #GDi with the AU #Agenda2063. In addition, China is willing to contribute to the implementation of projects which are in line with the National Development Plans (#NDP) of African nations. To that effect, President is willing to have working sessions with African delegations to promote the win-win agenda.

In 2023, China-Africa trade volume reached USD 282.1 billion and is expected to pass the half trillion mark by 2030. The cumulative Chinese #FDI into Africa exceeds USD 47 billion at the end of 2022. During 1H23, Chinese companies invested USD 1.82 billion into Africa, representing a 4.4% increase year-on-year.

At the global level, China sees the emergence of a multipolar world with many concurrent challenges. In that particular context, China will thus pay particular attention to the core issues and key aspirations which are dear to the #GlobalSouth.