Inclusive Society Institute hosts high-level China-Africa symposium marking 25 years of FOCAC cooperation

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI), together with the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University (IAS ZJNU), hosted a landmark international symposium in Cape Town on Monday, 17 November 2025, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The event brought together scholars, policy experts and representatives from think-tanks and academic institutions across more than a dozen countries, reaffirming the strategic depth, intellectual vibrancy and future trajectory of China-Africa partnership.

Held at the Heritage Site of the First Nations, the symposium explored FOCAC’s historical evolution, its concrete development achievements across the continent and its emerging role within a rapidly shifting global governance landscape.

Opening session: Reflecting on 25 years of cooperation

The opening ceremony, moderated by Prof. Liu Shu, set the tone for an intellectually rich programme. Keynote addresses were delivered by:

• Mr Daryl Swanepoel, Chief Executive Officer of the Inclusive Society Institute

• Ambassador Gert Grobler, former senior South African diplomat

• Ms Wang Xiao, Acting Consul General of China in Cape Town

• Prof. Liu Hongwu, Dean of the Institute of African Studies, ZJNU 

Speakers reflected on FOCAC’s evolution into a highly institutionalised platform that has shaped cooperation across infrastructure development, trade expansion, human capacity building, public health and digital connectivity.

Panel discussions: Advancing knowledge partnerships

Discussion Part 1: The changing architecture of FOCAC

Moderated by Dr Yu Guizheng, this session featured presentations by:

• Ms Odile Bulten, ISI Coordinator of the Africa Think-Tank Dialogue

• Dr Zhan Mengshu, Assistant Researcher at IAS, ZJNU

Speakers highlighted the growing centrality of think-tank diplomacy in shaping the next phase of China-Africa cooperation. They emphasised that intellectual partnerships now constitute a vital component of FOCAC’s institutional ecosystem.

Discussion Part 2: New voices and emerging research

The second discussion panel, chaired by Ms Buyelwa Sonjica (former Cabinet Minister and ISI Deputy Chairperson), included contributions from:

• Mr Stephen Langtry, ISI Advisory Council member and Editor of the Journal for Inclusive Public Policy

• Mr Liu Yuankang, PhD Candidate, University of Cape Town 

The dialogue reinforced the importance of cross-cultural research, youth scholarship and multidisciplinary collaboration in sustaining long-term China-Africa partnerships.

Closing reflections: Introducing a new research frontier

In his closing remarks, Mr Daryl Swanepoel offered a strategic reflection that extended beyond the day’s deliberations. While reaffirming the maturity and long-term significance of FOCAC, he introduced a proposal that IAS and ISI jointly explore a new frontier in China-Africa research: the alignment of FOCAC with China’s Four Global Initiatives (Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, Global Governance Initiative).

He noted that:

• FOCAC provides the operational framework for cooperation;

• The Four Global Initiatives offer a conceptual narrative shaping China’s global engagement;

• The alignment of the two could open a fresh pathway for integrated, future-oriented cooperation. 

Swanepoel suggested that ISI and IAS consider pioneering the first systematic study on this intersection, potentially through joint research, policy dialogues, and broader collaborative networks.

He further praised the Institute of African Studies at ZJNU for its leading intellectual role in strengthening the policy foundations of FOCAC, noting its “policy rigour, scholarly leadership and strategic depth.”