South African President Cyril Ramaphosa landed in Beijing on Monday, ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marking a significant moment in China-Africa relations. As part of China’s largest diplomatic event since the pandemic, the red carpet was rolled out for Ramaphosa and other African leaders, who are expected to discuss deepening ties between China and the resource-rich continent.
China has invested billions in Africa, funding massive infrastructure projects while tapping into the continent’s abundant natural resources, such as copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth minerals. This partnership has made China Africa’s largest trading partner, with trade reaching $167.8 billion in the first half of 2023. However, China’s vast loans to African countries have sparked debates, as they have led to heavy debts for some nations.
During his four-day visit, Ramaphosa will attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and pay tribute to Chinese revolutionaries in Tiananmen Square. His visit will also include a trip to Shenzhen, China’s tech hub, as the two nations plan to sign agreements to strengthen economic and technical cooperation. Trade between China and South Africa soared to $38.8 billion in 2023.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also met with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss China’s interests in the DRC’s natural resources, despite security challenges in the region.
Several other African leaders from Djibouti, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, and more arrived in Beijing to take part in the summit. The gathering comes at a time of increasing global competition between the US and China for influence in Africa, with Washington frequently criticizing Beijing’s influence on the continent.
As African leaders look to balance their relationships with the world’s superpowers, this forum serves as a crucial platform for fostering deeper cooperation and navigating the complexities of global politics.
Like, comment in the box below, and share on all our social media platforms. For more updates on international news, local news, business, elections, sports, and exciting discussions, tune in to Orange FM 1079
