The HSRC cordially invites you to join our seminar on South African Perceptions on the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on 27 November 2024 at the Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa.
Over the past two decades, FOCAC has become an important platform for collective dialogue between China and Africa and an effective mechanism for pragmatic cooperation. At the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which advocates a commitment to sustainable security, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, abiding fairly by the principles of the UN Charter, and jointly promoting a global common security for all, a dominant theme in FOCAC. China has also emphasised the concept of modernisation in FOCAC over the years. Modernisation is interlinked with industrialisation and has become a dominant means of understanding the process of global change and identifying ways in which developing countries could accelerate, channel, and direct their local economic reforms. The Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development strategy led by the Chinese government has been one of the strategies used to promote modernisation. However, challenges remain in achieving industrial development on the continent due to issues such as the lack of industrial sectors and value chains.
The main purpose of this event will be to determine the way forward with a focus on South–South trade and business growth. The dialogue will also examine FOCAC developmental growth through the GDI objectives as a way of promoting developmental growth between China and South Africa for Shared Prosperity and a Common Future. Finally, the dialogue will assess the impact of FOCAC’s objectives over the years. The outcome of the dialogue will assist in determining gaps for FOCAC consideration and further research in the future.
Date: 27 November 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria
Register to attend: Please click here to register
Contact: EBees@hsrc.ac.za