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

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

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