South Africa’s Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) and China’s Zhejiang Normal University convened a symposium in Cape Town on Monday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), reflecting on its trajectory as a central platform for South-South partnership.

Held at the First Nations Heritage Center, the event brought together representatives from ISI and the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University for extensive discussions on the evolution and future of China-Africa cooperation.

Delivering the keynote address, ISI Chief Executive Officer Daryl Swanepoel described FOCAC as “a defining pillar of contemporary South-South cooperation,” noting its role in strengthening Africa’s agency in shaping development partnerships. For China, he said, FOCAC represents “a maturing approach to global development grounded in sustainability, partnership, and shared learning.”

Liu Hongwu, director of the Institute of African Studies, emphasized South Africa’s strategic importance within the broader China-Africa and South-South cooperation framework. “We’ve come here to push forward that cooperation,” he said, stressing the value of high-level exchanges and direct engagement in enhancing mutual understanding.

Wang Xiao, acting consul general of China in Cape Town, highlighted FOCAC’s evolution over a quarter-century into a comprehensive cooperation platform encompassing political dialogue, trade and investment, infrastructure development, education, cultural exchange, public health, and peace and security. FOCAC, she said, has “delivered tangible benefits to the peoples of China and Africa and become a powerful symbol of South-South cooperation.”

Wang added that as China advances its own modernization, it remains committed to supporting Africa’s independent development and strengthening the continent’s voice in global governance. “This partnership is not imposed by external forces, nor shaped by ideological competition,” she said. “It is rooted in genuine friendship, shared aspirations, and common interests.”

ISI Deputy Chairperson Buyelwa Sonjica, a former South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, underscored the political, economic, and social significance of the Africa-China partnership. She emphasized that the relationship’s impact should be assessed not only through its measurable outcomes but also through its intangible contributions to shared values and cooperation.

Odile Bulten, coordinator of the Africa-ISI Think Tank Dialogue, noted that FOCAC has expanded substantially since its inception, moving beyond political and economic cooperation to include education, cultural programming, and people-to-people engagement. “Together, China and Africa have set a model of solidarity and collaboration for the Global South,” she said.

The symposium reaffirmed the centrality of FOCAC as a platform for dialogue, policy coordination, and shared development aspirations between China and African nations. | Report by NNA TV+ / Xinhua