In the run-up to the 2024 Summit, a seminar was hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG) Center for Europe and Africa in Pretoria, South Africa, to explore the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Edited excerpts of some of the speakers' views follow:

Gert Grobler, a senior diplomat and former South African Ambassador to Spain, Japan and Madagascar

Based on its "people first" approach, hard work, innovation, reform and opening up under the able leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and achieved remarkable outcomes by creating a "moderately prosperous society." China has also eliminated absolute poverty throughout the whole country, which is generally regarded as a miracle of development and is unmatched worldwide.

In fact, a large number of countries in the Global South are increasingly expressing confidence that China's modernization approach could contribute to enhanced governance, development opportunities and options for innovation in their own countries. This is an integral part of China's foreign policy, that is to deepen Global South cooperation, promote North-South dialogue, prioritize development, form synergy among development strategies, and foster new quality productive forces, so as to improve FOCAC and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The World Bank has recently described the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a "game changer" which will create a single, continent-wide market that unites 54 countries with a combined population of 1.3 billion and GDP of $3.4 trillion.

The implementation of the AfCFTA agreement is a complex and highly collaborative undertaking, which requires Africa to draw on the expertise and experience, among others, of its international partners. Africa has therefore warmly welcomed China to actively participate in the development of the AfCFTA and provide continued support to the secretariat of the AfCFTA toward the full implementation of this important initiative.

Edith Phaswana, Director of Graduate Academic Programs, Thabo Mbeki School, University of South Africa

The idea of a community with a shared future for humanity is deeply rooted in the Belt and Road Initiative, which was put forward by China, and this is China's vision for a harmonious, interconnected world where all nations and people coexist and prosper together. As Africans, we come from a troubled history. We are aware of our developmental challenges and we do want to self-determine.

China came up with a very good concept of a community with a shared future. It's a shared future of interconnectedness, mutual benefit, inclusivity, sustainability and global governance. And as Africans, we embrace them. Higher education has the potential to foster mutual understanding because education exchanges have the potential of promoting cultural understanding, dispelling misconceptions and building mutual trust between Chinese and African peoples.

Development of human capital is another topic that I want to talk about. Many African students are studying in China, and I've seen Chinese students on this continent, especially here in South Africa. I've seen them in our universities coming to study. Some of them can even speak Zulu. They're there to study Zulu and that is the kind of human capital that we can use to build together a community with a shared future.

Ayanda Hollow, President of TV BRICS Africa Channel, South Africa

The AU's Agenda 2063 envisions an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. This agenda includes goals such as inclusive growth, sustainable development, and an Africa with a strong cultural identity and shared values.

Similarly, the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, which was put forward under the framework of FOCAC, outlines sincere goals across multiple sectors to enhance the partnership between China and Africa. Its first three-year plan addresses critical issues such as health, poverty, trade, investment, digital innovation, green development, capacity building, cultural exchanges and security.

This vision led by Chinese President Xi Jinping articulates a comprehensive approach to deepening ties between China and Africa, focusing on mutual benefit and shared growth.

South Africa's National Development Plan 2030 is a roadmap for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030. It emphasizes inclusive growth, better education, increased employment opportunities and improved health care, aiming to transform the economy and create broad-based economic growth that benefits all South Africans.

South Africa's National Development Plan 2030, the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035 and the AU's Agenda 2063 are complementary frameworks that aim to promote sustainable development, peace and prosperity across the African continent. All these initiatives share common goals and strategies reinforcing mutual support between China and Africa. They emphasize economic growth, infrastructure development, and peace and security, all vital to achieving their shared vision of a brighter future for Africa.

Kirtan Bhana, Director of the Diplomatic Society, South Africa

One of the key themes of the 2024 FOCAC Summit will be the alignment of FOCAC with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilizations Initiative. These China-proposed initiatives offer a framework for addressing the common challenges facing Africa and China, such as poverty, inequality and climate change, and provide a basis for deeper cooperation in areas such as industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent cultivation.

To accelerate the integration of the African continent, the summit is expected to focus on enhancing regional cooperation and removing the bottlenecks that have hindered progress in the past. This includes addressing issues such as the lack of infrastructure and connectivity, which have been major barriers to trade and investment. By working together to build state-of-the-art infrastructure and logistics networks, Africa and China can unlock the continent's vast potential and create new opportunities for economic growth and development.

Sustainable development should be at the heart of the FOCAC agenda, with a focus on promoting green growth, digital innovation and social inclusion. The summit should prioritize initiatives that align with the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and that contribute to the long-term prosperity of both Africa and China.

Ni Yanshuo, chief reporter of the South Africa Bureau, CICG Center for Europe and Africa

One of the most important features of China-Africa cooperation is that all the commitments made at FOCAC meetings can be realized. After the FOCAC mechanism was founded in 2000, China immediately established a follow-up committee. This committee regularly reviews the progress of FOCAC outcomes to make sure that all the policies and measures put forward at FOCAC meetings will be implemented and achieve intended results.

China-Africa cooperation is driven by the demands of African countries. To support the realization of the AU's Agenda 2063, China put forward 10 major cooperation plans, eight major initiatives and nine programs in close collaboration with African countries at the FOCAC meetings in 2015, 2018 and 2021, respectively. So far, all these measures have been fully implemented and achieved intended results.

African countries are moving forward on the path toward modernization, and China has been providing strong support on this journey as a trusted companion. At the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2023, President Xi announced that China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. These three initiatives cover all the important areas African countries urgently need to develop, which demonstrates China's sincerity and faith in supporting African countries' development with its actions, and forging a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. These initiatives are in the process of implementation. 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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