On September 4th, 2024, the Forum on Africa-China Cooperation (FOCAC) shall convene in Beijing, China, under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” This is an excellent title for traditional allies, especially in an era of shifting global trends. The Forum is timely and significant.
From a historical vantage point, the background of FOCAC can be traced to Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin’s visit to Africa in 1996. In early 1996, Jiang Zemin toured the Republic of Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mali, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. During this tour, President Jiang publicly unveiled a new and emerging Chinese approach to Africa.
The main theme of Jiang’s speech was to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and seek common development. And that is how FOCAC came into existence: to enhance strategic consultations and cooperation in international affairs and look into the future to create a better world.
The first FOCAC, held in Beijing, China 2000, became the official summit that institutionalized Sino-African ties. Nearly 80 ministers from 44 African countries attended. FOCAC II was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in December 2003 and passed the Addis Ababa Action Plan (2004-2006). Since then, it was followed by the FOCAC Summit and the Third Ministerial Conference, which was held in Beijing, China, in November 2006.
FOCAC IV met in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2009, followed by FOCAC V in July 2012. The Fifth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC V) took place in Beijing, China, on July 19-20, 2012.
FOCAC V resulted in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015), which outlined specific measures to enhance China-Africa relations and have continued to present-day Sino-African relations.
READ RELATED: U.S. Foreign Policy and Lessons for Tanzania: Navigating a Multipolar World
In 2024, it will be FOCAC IX, the ninth iteration of the continued FOCAC forums, following FOCAC VI, VII, and VIII, which were held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015.
FOCAC in the Context of Policy Views in Africa:
Until 2021, the last FOCAC summit, there was no clear and official African Union Policy, and such a situation also prevails in other regional bodies, such as SADC, the East African Community, and ECOWAS.
The commitment of the People’s Republic of China to Tanzania:
China has been fully committed to the development of Africa, particularly the United Republic of Tanzania. From April 1970 to July 1976, the UHURU railway was constructed with an interest-free loan from our Chinese friends, hoping that critical infrastructure construction, including railway systems, would lift our economy to a better stage. Sino-Tanzania ties remain the vital par excellence of Chinese commitment in Africa, making Tanzania one of Beijing’s closest allies.
Early Diplomatic Ties and What They Mean for FOCAC: In the early 1960s, Tanzania became one of China’s true overseas allies. Trade relations were established, leading to the creation of the Sino-Tanzania Shipping Company in 1966, where China gifted Tanzania two freighters, each weighing 10,000 tons.
By February 1964, under the cusp of mutual friendship, the Father of the Nation paid an official visit to China, and a Sino-Tanzanian treaty of friendship was signed. A year later, the special relationship between China and Tanzania was cemented when Zhou Enlai officially visited Tanzania.
This diplomatic gesture was significant and perhaps best understood by early African scholars during the Nyerere era than today—unless for a few scholars who have a personal admiration for the growth of China and Chinese culture or the Tanzanian business community and academics who have visited and lived in China or are alumni of Chinese government scholarships.
Despite our well-established non-entanglement foreign policy, widely known as the Non-Aligned Movement policy, for us, China, and China alone, has been a country of significant extensive economic commitment in the early 1960s and in contemporary international relations.
While these views are subject to debate, there is a mindful realization of reality in any democracy, whether young or developing. It is necessary to identify diplomatic history in order to relate to and understand FOCAC today.
The Belt and Road Initiative: Cementing China-Tanzania Diplomatic Ties at FOCAC IX
Tanzania’s new economic development frontier lies in modern infrastructure, accountability, and investment. Given the challenges of skills mismatch among young professionals and the fast-changing Tanzanian situation, transforming our infrastructure can be arduous, but a critical approach is possible.
The BRI can be our development strategy to enhance infrastructure connectivity and economic cooperation between China and Tanzania. With its strategic location on the East African coast, Tanzanian ports can play a crucial role in the maritime component of the BRI, serving as a gateway for Chinese goods to Africa.
On the other hand, as Tanzania is not yet a capital-abundant economy capable of producing heavy machinery or expensive technological equipment, we need FOCAC as a platform to address our infrastructure needs, including finding solutions where we can transform our current state of agricultural equipment. China can modernize our agriculture by transferring technology, sharing experiences, and contributing to value-added industries.
China’s Significant Contribution to Tanzanian Infrastructure
At the heart of our country’s infrastructure progress lies the impeccable contribution of the Chinese people and the government of the People’s Republic of China.
Administrative Infrastructure: Notable projects include the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar es Salaam, Jakaya Kikwete Hall in Dodoma, the New Library at the University of Dar es Salaam, and the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School.
Road and Railway Infrastructure: Key projects include the Dar es Salaam Nyerere Bridge (Kigamboni Bridge), BRT roads in Dar es Salaam, the Arusha-Namanga Road, and sections of the SGR railway built by China.
Sports Infrastructure: The National Stadium, dubbed “Kwa Mkapa” by modern football commentators, is unique. It was completed in 2009 and remains Tanzania’s only modern national stadium.
ALSO, READ Insights from a Tanzanian Parent on China’s Two-Hour Screen Time Limit.
Possibility of Climbing the Ladder of Industrialization in Sino-Tanzania Relations through FOCAC: It is high time China and Tanzania formed a joint industrialization council tasked with committing to each country’s priorities in industrialization development. Through FOCAC, this council can focus on key areas such as the manufacturing industry, modernizing Tanzania’s agriculture to accelerate our GDP growth, investing in developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and improving our technological capabilities.
With industrialization as a key priority, Tanzania will attract more foreign investment, particularly from China, and will be able to create more jobs, thereby improving the livelihoods of Tanzanians.
The council’s activities can include creating a roadmap for industrialization that aligns with Tanzania’s development goals and China’s expertise and experience, facilitating the transfer of technology and knowledge from China to Tanzania, identifying potential areas for investment, and coordinating joint efforts to develop key infrastructure projects that support industrialization.
This collaboration can lead to establishing industrial parks, developing new industries, and expanding existing ones, all of which can contribute to Tanzania’s economic growth and development.
Understanding China’s Role in Africa and the Future of Tanzania-China Relations:
It is important to understand China’s role in Africa in a global context and how it shapes the future of Tanzania-China relations. China’s approach to Africa is about trade and investment and building long-term partnerships based on mutual respect and shared goals.
As Deng Xiaoping said in 1979, “The historical relations between China and its partners must continue into the 21st century and beyond.” FOCAC should embody these timeless words.
China’s investment in Tanzania and other African countries is driven by a desire to support development and help them achieve their economic goals. This approach has led to numerous infrastructure projects, job opportunities, and economic growth in Tanzania.
Human capital development and cultural exchanges: Enhancing mutual understanding between China and Tanzania through cultural exchanges will foster deeper connections. Including visits by government officials, students, businessmen, scholars, and analysts and exchanging experience and language skills, bridging human capital development could help eliminate the skills mismatch that is widening between contemporary industry and graduates.
On Green Energy, Trade, and Technology
Both Tanzania and China face energy challenges. FOCAC China’s experience and technology, including Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) and Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), could help Tanzania address issues like power rationing and load shedding. Green energy and technology investment is crucial for fostering trade and business links.
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines in Singida and Dodoma and Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines for Makambako, Mwanza, and Tanga Regions. Current energy challenges for Tanzania’s energy system include repetitive power rationing and load shedding, increased demand for electricity due to the urban population increase, a lack of investment in modern grinding maintenance systems, and a lack of investment in alternative energy sources and new generation capacity.
China has (VAWTs) and HAWTs, which could be built in Tanzania’s high wind density areas to generate new and green energy sources. They could create better efficiency and be powered toward a large-scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Center built in Morogoro. This could help cut Tanzanian towns’ carbon footprint and generate domestic electric power.
Tanzania’s role in UN resolution 2758 of 1971 should be the basis for the effective commitment of FOCAC China grants and Investments to Tanzania. Today, China’s presence in the United Nations and within the Security Council emanated from 1971 when African countries played a significant role in voting for the pro-Beijing resolution (UN resolution 2758 of 1971).
It was a time and era in which China’s admission to the United Nations was a major priority in China’s foreign policy. When the pro-Beijing resolution was tabled, Tanzania had influenced the Mulungushi Club and major nonaligned movement nations to vote pro-China. Those who voted in favour were 76 votes to 35, with 17 abstentions, which saw China’s admittance to the United Nations. Since then, Sino-Tanzania relations have been credible all-weather allies.
However, being predictable all-weather friends does not hinder policy changes in China or Tanzania. Solidifying Sino-Tanzania ties requires long-term actors, such as think tanks, acting on both sides.
Conclusively, the future of Tanzania-China relations lies in the hands of both countries. By working together through FOCAC and other platforms, Tanzania and China can build a strong and sustainable partnership that will benefit both countries for years. However, getting China’s technological know-how is crucial for realistic development at home.
This partnership should be based on mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to transparency and accountability. With the right approach, Tanzania and China can continue strengthening their relationship and creating a brighter future for their people.
As we look to the future, it is important to remember Julius Nyerere’s words: “Independence means self-reliance, national strength, dignity, that we can choose our own way of life and develop our pattern of progress.” By embracing this vision and working with China, Tanzania can achieve its development goals and create a better future for its people.
