In the last decade, much has been written about the new and rapidly evolving relationship between China and Africa. A great deal of the discourse has occurred in journalism, but contributions have also taken the form of academic books and articles. The relationship has also been the topic of numerous conferences – in the West, in China, and in Africa. There are, of course, many reasons for interest in this issue. For one, there exists a fascination with the increasing economic and political importance of China in the global economy, in international politics, and in African affairs. China’s rapid economic expansion in Africa, together with economic growth on the continent, has led to a new dynamism in Africa’s relations with the outside world. This emergence is most clearly evident in the struggle for access to Africa’s oil and other raw materials, but also in the strengthened political position and bargaining power of many African governments (and in the reduced influence of the West). In December 2015, the fifth Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) took place in South Africa. It was also the second summit meeting, nine years following the first in 2006. There was an impressive presence of heads of state, including President Xi Jinping. Following the first forum in Beijing in 2000, it has been a recurring event every third year, alternating between China and Africa. Each conference adopts a three-year action plan, putting forward a range of Chinese commitments to increasing trade volume, infrastructure development, scholarship provision, and more. The results of the 2015 meeting concentrate on four main areas: industrialization; security and military cooperation; environmental protection; media cooperation; and educational exchanges. The Forum is an event that highlights the different areas of joint Chinese and African interests, but it may also be interpreted as a symbol of China’s importance for Africa. Most of the focus on China and Africa has considered the economic aspects of the relationship and its implications for development in Africa. Less has been written on the political, cultural, ideological, and media aspects of this cooperation. In terms of politics, there have been some articles, books, and conferences focusing on public diplomacy in Africa, a phenomenon that often has been called “China’s soft power initiatives”. The FOCAC Johannesburg action plan (2016–2018) is a good place to start when it comes to China’s rationale for public diplomacy in Africa. The document contains one particularly relevant section related to cultural and media diplomacy in Africa. In chapter 5, the plan deals with “Cultural Cooperation and People-to-People Exchanges”, and subchapter 5.2,