Clash of Global Powers’ Interests in Africa - Media Coverage of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit -

The present study examines the news frames of the FOCAC summit 2018, presented by CGTN, France 24, the BBC, and SABC channels. We conducted an inductive content analysis of 41 video clips of news, reports, and TV shows, broadcasted during the summit. Findings showed that Television channels framed the FOCAC summit, mainly from different perspectives, suggesting a divergence in the public diplomacy purpose of each country. Media reported news stories that diverged China, South Africa, United Kingdom, and France narratives in framing FOCAC's identity, trade cooperation, development and economic interests. Frames such as 'Financial supplier' vs 'Predatory loans' or 'new economic order' vs 'developing new hegemony, highlight the international rivalries between China and the West concerning Africa. While their rivalries are growing, frames such as 'not a bystander' and 'inward challenges' unveil how African countries attempt to play one's card right, in this international competition.