What is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)?

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About Forum on China-Africa Cooperation:

It was established in 2000 to formalise the strategic partnership between China and African nations.
A summit is conducted every three years, with the host alternating between China and an African member.
Member countries: The FOCAC counts 53 African nations as its members – the entire continent except Eswatini, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan against Beijing’s “One China” Policy.
The African Union Commission, the continental bloc tasked with ensuring cooperation and economic integration across its member countries, is also a member.
The theme this year is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
The current summit is expected to address state governance, industrialisation, agricultural upgradation, and improved cooperation over China’s infrastructure financing via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Q1: What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative?

It is also known as One Belt, One Road which envisages the construction of a maze of road, rail and port projects through a number of countries.It aims to strengthen Beijing’s economic leadership through a vast program of infrastructure building throughout China’s neighbouring regions.

Source: Explained: Significance of the China-hosted FOCAC summit, with 53 African countries in attendance