Exploring Beijing on the eve of 2024 FOCAC Summit #rwanda #RwOT

From the moment visitors step out of Beijing Capital International Airport, they are welcomed by a vibrant display of African flags lining the streets, alongside summit banners that echo the shared commitment of Africa and China to forging a brighter future together.

The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, as delegates from across the globe converge on the city.

Besides, security measures have been visibly heightened, with meticulous organization reflecting the importance placed on the summit.

At the China National Convention Center, the summit venue, a hive of activity is already underway. Various pre-summit events and discussions are setting the stage for the main event, while media representatives from around the world finalize their preparations to cover the summit comprehensively. With over 130 international journalists on the ground, the global spotlight is firmly on Beijing.

The summit, scheduled for August 4th to 6th in the Chaoyang District, will unite representatives from 53 African countries and China under the theme, "Joining Forces to Promote Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community of Shared Future."

Established in 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has evolved into a cornerstone for deepening ties between Africa and China. Held every three years, alternating between China and an African host country, FOCAC has facilitated significant strides in the partnership between these regions.

The 2021 summit, which was held semi-virtually due to COVID-19, set ambitious targets, including increasing African imports to China to $300 billion. It also marked the formal integration of FOCAC into China's Belt and Road Initiative, further intertwining the fates of these two regions.

As this year's summit approaches, expectations are high. Many view this event as a potential turning point in Sino-African relations. Numerous bilateral agreements are expected to be signed, further solidifying the foundation for a shared future based on mutual respect and collaboration.

High-profile leaders, including Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, have already arrived in Beijing. Rwanda's cooperation with China spans multiple platforms, including FOCAC, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the Joint Economic, Technical, and Trade Committee (JETTCO).

China remains a leading investor in Rwanda, with over $1.1 billion in investments since 2019, primarily in manufacturing, construction, real estate, and mining. Among China's ongoing projects in Rwanda is the upgrade of Masaka District Hospital, which will expand into an 837-bed facility and become part of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK).

Apart from Kagame., other leaders from other African nations, such as Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Chad, Gabon, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles, and the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, have also made their way to Beijing. Those unable to attend in person have sent senior ministerial officials to represent them at this significant triennial event.

Since its inception, FOCAC has convened several key sessions: the inaugural meeting in Beijing in October 2000, followed by sessions in Addis Ababa, Sharm El Sheikh, and Johannesburg. The 2021 summit, adapted for the pandemic with a videolink between Dakar and Beijing, continued the tradition of fostering closer ties.

This year's summit will be marked by the adoption of the FOCAC Joint Declaration and the Action Plan (2025-2027) during the opening ceremony, setting the stage for the next phase of China-Africa cooperation.