Jacob Mardell
In an unprecedented mass promotion, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has elevated 30 African countries in its diplomatic hierarchy (MFA, September 6). The shift was made last week in Beijing at the 9th triennial Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which 51 African leaders attended. Every nation on the continent now has at least a “strategic partnership” with the PRC, except for Eswatini, which recognizes Taiwan. In his speech at the forum, PRC President Xi Jinping also announced that the national leaders had all agreed to “elevate China-Africa relations [as a whole] to an ‘all-weather China-Africa community of common destiny for the new era’ (将中非关系提升为新时代全天候中非命运共同体).”
“Partnership diplomacy” plays a central role in PRC foreign policy. Through its partnership network, Beijing seeks to shore up global support by swelling its ranks of various types of partners. There are no direct economic or institutional implications to becoming a “strategic partner” of the PRC, nor are there necessarily material benefits to advancing to the level of “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Such promotions can be significant in other ways, however. For partner countries, being officially designated a close partner can provide opportunity for real cooperation.
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