Africa’s security partnership with China: looking to the future
By understanding and building relations with China on security, Africa can increase its influence in global affairs.
Session 1: Africa-China Security Cooperation – challenges and opportunities
Session 2: Future of Africa-China Security Cooperation – the role of the Belt and Road Initiative
Session 3: Africa-China Security Cooperation and Multilateralism
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is the leading platform for advancing relations between the continent and China. Peace and security matters will feature on the agenda of the November 2021 meeting. In preparation for the summit, this two-day seminar will consider three questions:
- What are the main factors shaping Africa–China security cooperation?
- What are the security implications for Africa of the Belt and Road Initiative, including in the maritime domain?
- How have Africa and China cooperated on peace operations, counter-terrorism and the African Peace and Security Architecture?
Prominent African and Chinese scholars will reflect on the future of Africa’s security partnership with China. Opportunities and challenges will be identified that can help African states prepare for the upcoming 2021 FOCAC.
28 September
Session 1, 10.00-11.30 (SAST): Challenges and opportunities for Africa–China security cooperation
Chair: Dr Fonteh Akum, Executive Director, ISS
Opening Remarks:
- H.E. Ambassador CHEN Xiaodong, Embassy of The People’s Republic of China to South Africa
- H.E. Ambassador Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: Asia and the Middle East, South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)
Speakers:
- ZHANG Chun, Institute of International Relations, Yunnan University
- Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Global Dialogue
Session 2, 13.00-14.30 (SAST): Future of Africa–China Security Cooperation and the role of the Belt and Road Initiative
Chair: Timothy Walker, Team Leader, Maritime Security, ISS Pretoria
Speakers:
- WU Yu-Shan, NIHSS Postdoc Research Fellow, University of Pretoria
- LI Wentao, Deputy Director & Associate Research Professor, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR)
- Cobus van Staden, Senior Researcher: China-Africa, South African Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA)
- YU Tiejun, Professor, Peking university
29 September
Session 3, 10.00-11.30 (SAST): Africa–China security cooperation and multilateralism
Chair: Gustavo de Carvalho, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher, Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, ISS
Speakers:
- KUO Steven, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town
- Paul Nantulya, Research Associate, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
- LIU Haifang, Associate Professor, Peking University
- Faith Mabera, Senior Researcher, Institute for Global Dialogue
- WANG Hongyi, Associate Research Professor, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
