IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok 

White Paper on China-Africa cooperation plans for future development and heightened cooperation
 
On 26 November, the State Council Information Office published a white paper on China’s cooperation with Africa in the “new era”. The release of the paper comes days before the two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation which is scheduled to begin on 29 November. The paper is titled “China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals” and speaks positively of the continuously evolving relationship with African countries. The paper focused on building a stronger China-Africa community, all-around cooperation, strengthening mutual support and establishing new areas of cooperation to enhance the relationship between China and Africa.
 
China is focusing on building a sturdy shared community
The paper briefly highlighted the history of the China-Africa relationship and shed light on China’s plan for building a stronger community-to-community relationship in the coming years. The paper declared that the Chinese administration treats African countries and their people with sincerity and aims to achieve real results in its cooperation with the continent. It propagated the idea of resolving issues in good faith and promoting friendly relations. The paper further promised to follow four principles in order to ensure respect and mutual development in the relationship between China and the African countries. The paper presents provisions for China and the African countries to support each other on international platforms and encourages the security and harmony of their individual national interests. The paper portrays the China-Africa relationship as a model for exemplary south-south cooperation.
 
China will focus on all-round cooperation and development
The paper appreciated the decades of cooperation between China and numerous other African countries and said: “The fruitful results of China-Africa cooperation can be seen across the continent. It has improved the conditions for economic and social development in Africa and brought tangible benefits to people in both China and Africa.”
The paper indicated that high mutual political trust between China and Africa has resulted in prosperous developments for both parties. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with more than 50 African leaders during the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and has visited Africa on four different occasions to enhance China’s outreach into Africa. The paper explained China’s political relations with Africa in detail and also expanded on the rapidly growing economic cooperation. It shed light on China’s efforts to support African economies by becoming the largest trading partner since 2009 and encouraging cooperation and investing in finance. The paper stated: “By the end of 2020, direct investment of Chinese companies in Africa had surpassed $43 billion.” Other efforts taken by China include promoting agro-economies, assisting industrialization and mechanization, building infrastructure, supporting financial cooperation and assisting the digital economy. The paper also shed light on the cooperation between China and the continent on social development issues such as poverty eradication, enhancing medical and health cooperation, promoting education facilities and human resource development and establishing scientific and technological collaboration. The paper shared: “In cooperation with China, 16 African countries have incorporated the Chinese language into their national education systems. The two sides have established 61 Confucius Institutes and 48 Confucius Classrooms in Africa. Since 2004, China has sent a total of 5,500 Chinese language teachers and volunteers to 48 African nations.”
China is also working on creating people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation by working closely on local media, films and the television industry and also facilitating student exchanges and academic cooperation. Lastly, China also emphasized peace and security and promoted engagement with African countries on global issues such as terrorism and collectively working towards political stability.
 
China will focus on strengthening mutual support
In recognizing China’s goal of strengthening mutual support, the paper highlighted upholding international equity and justice by practicing multilateralism and collectively protecting political and individual rights. It also called attention to collectively fighting the coronavirus pandemic by actively working towards vaccinating the population and preventing further spread of the virus. Other than fighting the novel coronavirus, the paper also sheds light on fighting the Ebola virus and building resistance to natural disasters.
 
China will look for innovative methods to enhance the cooperation with Africa
The paper accentuated the role of the FOCAC in boosting cooperation between the two sides and also encouraged greater participation and cooperation in economic and financial activities through the Belt and Road Initiative. The paper said: “The Belt and Road Initiative is not a “solo”, but an “orchestra” in which the participation of both China and African countries is essential.” In the new era, the focus will be on elevating China-Africa relations to a higher level by solidifying friendships and removing obstacles to political mistrust and boosting mutual development and exploring new areas of cooperation.
 
The paper promised to create more avenues for cooperation with Africa and promoted participation and collaboration through the Belt and Road Initiative and the FOCAC. It stated: “In the face of new opportunities and challenges, China and Africa will further strengthen solidarity and cooperation.”
 
References:
“China issues white paper on China-Africa cooperation in new era,” Xinhua Net, 26 November 2021
“Full Text: China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals,” Xinhua Net, 26 November 2021
 
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar

INTERNAL
People’s Liberation Army “optimizing” its military personnel structure
On 29 November, South China Morning Post reported on the expansion of combat forces in the People’s Liberation Army. According to the People’s Publishing House, a book of commentaries was published focusing on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reform policies over the last decade. A military commentator Zhong Xin the PLA has been “optimizing” its personnel structure by deploying more troops reported South China Morning Post. According to Zhong, the PLA needs more work “the military’s command system is not systematic, the army’s structure is not sound enough, and the policy system lags, seriously limiting the PLA’s defensive operations.” He further emphasizes that “If these problems are not resolved, plans to build a world-class modern military are just empty talk”. (“Which Chinese military units are expanding while others are shedding troops?,” South China Morning Post, 29 November 2021)

REGIONAL
Taiwanese Defence Minister responds to Chinese military actions
On 29 November, Taiwan’s defence minister said that China’s military activities near the island continue in attempts to wear out the armed forces of Taiwan however, Taiwan holds the capabilities to respond. Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said: "Their intention is to slowly exhaust us. Our national forces have shown that, while you may have this power, we have countermeasures.” This response comes as China produces a renewed spike in the military incursions of Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone. (“Taiwan says China military trying to wear it out, but it can respond,” The Straits Times, 29 November 2021)

Australian media reports China’s backfired plans to hit Australia economically
On 29 November, News Australia reported that last month China imported 2.78 million tonnes of coal from Australia. The data was released by the General Administration of Customs which released its monthly report and publicized that huge quantities of coking coal for steelmaking and thermal coal for electricity were imported from Australia in October. This is interpreted as a backfired move by Australian media since China had imposed strict bans on iron ore, coal, beef, barley, wine and a few other imports from Australia since last year. The article attributes this change of policy to the power shortages that troubled Chinese citizens out of electricity for days in the past few months. This led China to process the shipments from Australia that have been sitting at Chinese ports for almost a year now. (Alex Turner-Cohen, “Chinese plan to cause Australia ‘economic pain’ from trade bans backfires,” news.com.au, 29 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Protesters block roads over new law favoring foreign mines in Serbia
On 28 November, DW reported that many protesters in Serbia came to the roads and rallied against new laws that the government is bringing in. Activists argue that these laws provide free rein to foreign mining companies, allowing them to rampage over the environment. Many of the firms in the country are from China such as Zijin copper miner. China has also invested in Bor copper mine. There are many projects in the country that take help from China under China’s New Silk Road to Europe strategic investment schemes. Hence, the president of the country has called China a “savior” which is a sentiment not shared by the common public. (“Serbia: Protesters block roads over new mining laws,” DW, 28 November 2021)

Japan-US 2-plus 2 security talks eye navigating China
On 29 November, Japan Today reported that Japan and the US are considering security talks in January consisting of their defence and foreign ministers. Experts assert that the 2-plus 2 security talks will revolve around navigating China’s aggressive behavior in the region as a major agenda. Recently, Japan has been reported to increase its defence and military budget due to China’s assertiveness and the US is also not particularly on good terms with China over the Taiwan crisis. China’s nuclear development and rise can also be an issue of discussion in the probable defence talks. (“Japan, U.S. eye 2-plus-2 security talks in January,” Japan Today, 29 November 2021)

Chinese and Russian ambassadors published a co-authored article 
On 28 November, the Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang and Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov co-authored the article Respecting People’s Democratic Rights published on The National Interest website. The ambassadors urged the US to stop using “value-based diplomacy” calling the US-led “Summit for Democracy” “an evident product of its Cold-War mentality.” They said, the summit will “stoke up ideological confrontation and a rift in the world, creating new ‘dividing lines.’” In the article, the ambassadors declared that “China and Russia firmly reject this move” and this move is against the development of the modern world. On democracy, the ambassadors commented that’ “it can be realized in multiple ways, and no model can fit all countries.” (“China, Russia ambassadors urge to stop using "value-based diplomacy" to provoke division, confrontation,” Xinhua Net, 28 November 2021)