The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC): What Does the Future Hold?

FOCAC 2006 concluded a year that was dubbed by the Chinese leadership as China's 'Year of Africa'. On the surface, the 'Year of Africa' demonstrated a striking success for China. However, there are important factors that can undermine the relationship between Africa and China. The aim of this article is to explore whether the future of FOCAC can and would strengthen relations between Africa and China. What are the threats to FOCAC's future? To what extent are the commitments of FOCAC realistic? And more importantly, whose interests does FOCAC serve?