Development of E-commerce and improving education in Africa are some of the key topics that are expected to headline the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled to take place in Beijing in September. This was highlighted during a China-Africa think tank conference held in Beijing, a two day event that ended Friday, aiming at looking into some of the important issues of concern for the upcoming summit. More than 380 delegates, including envoys from 44 African countries, government officials, scholars, media representatives from 52 African countries, leaders of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Counsellors’ Office of the State Council, China-Africa Capacity Cooperation Fund, scholars from Zhejiang Normal University, among others, attended the conference. Viewed by the organizers as an important activity ahead of the forthcoming 2018 Beijing Summit, the meet pointed out a number of things for discussion at the FOCAC summit ranging from ranging from trade improvement through ecommerce to education. “I have been to Africa twice and found that there are a lot of distinctive commodities of African style, but we cannot buy these commodities since they are not sold in the stores. So with E-commerce, some commodities with local and ethnic flavor can find market in China and Chinese commodities can also find their way on the African market,” said Tang Min, counselor at China Social Entrepreneurship Foundation. He added that the first step is to train the younger generation for instance at universities with the help of the Chinese government. In terms of education, officials rooted for more corporation between Chinese and African universities by improving capacity of international communication as well as investing in skills as well as encouraging exchange between academicians. On the other hand, African countries were urged to maintain political stability so that Chinese investors will be assured of safety while doing business in Africa. Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said that Chinese and African think tanks can contribute more to the building of a new type of international relations as he urged the scholars to focus on China-Africa relations, “We welcome good ideas and suggestions that address the challenges and issues in China-Africa cooperation,” he said. “As China-Africa relations and cooperation continue to flourish, I see enormous opportunity and great prospects for collaboration between Chinese and African think tanks,” he added. The FOCAC involves 52 African countries, the AU Commission and China and it provides a platform where cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, media, diplomacy, agriculture, culture and people-to-people exchange is discussed. A number of African Heads of State are expected to attend this year’s summit that will be hosted by President Xi Jin Ping of China alongside Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. Meanwhile, ahead of the forum, the Chinese President is expected in Rwanda later this month for a state visit.
