Johannesburg ready for FOCAC summit

A worker admires a display of miniature high-speed railway trains by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation at an exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday. LUCIE MORANGI / China daily

Johannesburg made final preparations for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting that starts on Friday.

Security has been tightened around the Sandton Convention Centre, the venue for the city’s second summit, with a greater police presence in the up-market business area and home of well-known international hotel chains.

“We believe Sandton is becoming known as a preferred location for many pan-African events because of the ease of access to Johannesburg and Sandton’s central location in the commercial and business heart of South Africa,” said Mati Nyazema, the executive director of the Sandton Convention Centre in a press release.

On Thursday, the sixth ministerial meeting will be held at the department of International Cooperation in Pretoria.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma will co-chair the FOCAC gathering.

Dozens of heads of state and government, representatives for the African Union (AU), heads of regional organizations and multilateral organizations will attend the summit, whose theme is: “Africa-China Progressing Together; Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development”.

Established in 2000, FOCAC aims to promote bilateral ties and cooperation between China and Africa through dialogue.

The 12-story Sandton Convention Centre with 22,000 square-feet of space can hold an array of events concurrently, accommodating up to 10,000 people at any one time.

“We have worked hard to achieve an impeccable track record for hosting large congresses and high-level delegations, providing the ideal platform to facilitate the exchange of ideas and strategy,” said Nyazema.

Exhibitors participating in the China-Africa Equipment Manufacturing Industry exposition being held at the convention center with the summit were ready to showcase modern infrastructure technology to the high-level dignitaries.

In the high-speed rail-equipment section, companies such as the China Railway Rolling Stock Corp displayed miniature speed trains on tracks.

The Beijing-based company accounts for 80 percent of the rolling stock on China’s train network, and according to the September issue of the International Railway Journal, it is the world’s largest train builder and posted a 6.85 percent increase in profit in June.

In China-Africa regional aviation cooperation, Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd is present. Other exhibitors include manufacturers of agricultural equipment, Internet and communications infrastructure, mobile devices, real estate products and even security equipment such as armored cars.

Lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn