Xi stacks FOCAC yaks back-to-back, gets smacked with whack feedback on lack of stacks
It’s FOCAC season, baby.
On Monday, Xi Jinping greeted a bevy of African leaders in Beijing for the triennial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Xi gave an extra special welcome to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is doubling up his FOCAC attendance with a state visit.
Xi made a familiar pitch to Ramaphosa, saying (Xinhua):
- “China stands ready to work with South Africa and other African countries to create new momentum for cooperation.”
- “The Global South…must uphold independence, [and] strengthen unity and cooperation.”
The pair also elevated China-South Africa ties to the level of "all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era."
Amid all the backslapping, Ramaphosa broached a delicate issue with Xi, asking him to address the China-South Africa trade imbalance (Reuters).
Some context: China has faced grumbling from developing world partners about overcapacity and dumping.
- Beijing also failed to meet its 2021 FOCAC promise to buy USD 300 billion in African goods.
Get smart: China’s stock in Africa continues to rise as it positions itself as a partner in development and Global South solidarity.