Symposium – High Time For a Common Integrated African Policy on China

As the current co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), South Africa is uniquely positioned to guide the consolidation of the African agenda in Africa-China engagement, including the realisation of greater collaboration with the outcomes of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

The 2015 Johannesburg Summit and 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) marked the 15th year since the initiation of the FOCAC mechanism in 2000 and nearly a decade since the Beijing Summit of 2006. The 2nd FOCAC Summit adopted two outcome documents, namely the Johannesburg Declaration and the Johannesburg Action Plan (2016-2018), laying out comprehensive plans for Africa-China relations and practical cooperation for the next three years through a range of new ideas and policies.

In line with increasing calls for a unified African policy and strategy, this symposium presents a platform to critically examine the prospects of a Pan-African policy and strategy to guide Africa’s engagement with China, in addition to moderating the implementation of the Johannesburg Action Plan.

Speakers at the symposium will include Dr Kwesi Prah, Dr Paul Tembe, Dr Bob Wekesa, Dr Philani Mthembu, Sanusha Naidu, Meryl Burgess, Sanou Mbaye, Francis Komegay, Faith Mabera, Moreblessings Chidaushe, Yu-shan Wu, Prof Bola Akinterinwa, and Prof Siphamandla Zondi.