The Forum on China– Africa Cooperation, Ideas and Aid: National Interest(s) or Strategic Partnership?

Abstract

China is providing the African continent, in terms of aid and trade, with an alternative ‘model of development’. The post-Cold War era marks the re-awakening of China–Africa relations. China’s role as an emerging power has become evident in terms of providing aid and development assistance to Third-World countries, especially to Africa. This new found ‘emerging power’ status makes it an invaluable partner to Africa. Even in the midst of a global financial crisis, China–Africa relations continue to move from strength to strength. Contemporary China–Africa relations are based on the agenda set out by the >Forum for China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000; it provided the ideological premises for future strengthening of the China–Africa strategic partnership. However, it was only in 2006, when leaders of over 40 African states visited Beijing for a Summit Meeting, that the world began to take note of this ever-evolving partnership. The principle objective of this article is to examine the FOCAC in terms of ideas and aid. Central to this investigation is the question: Whether China–Africa relations can best be classified as either national interest(s) or a strategic partnership?