Chinese diplomat heads to Africa to build strategic ties
The Chinese Foreign Minister has travelled to Africa to build deeper ties with the continent. China has a 35-year long tradition of annually visiting the continent, demonstrating the prioritization of African engagement where the West’s attention has dwindled.
Reuters reported on January 6th that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Namibia, Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria, to “quietly advance Beijing’s already sizeable influence across the resource-rich continent as Europe’s presence wanes and America’s wavers”.
Beijing is set to ramp up its financial and infrastructural support within Africa in exchange for critical minerals deals and access to African markets for Chinese exports.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, “China firmly believes that Africa has never been a forgotten continent, but rather a source of vitality and a land full of development potential”, reported by Reuters.
The visit follows the Chinese commitment of $4.61 billion to Africa in 2023, the first rise since 2016. Reuters reported on September 1st that Africa had secured $10 billion in loans a year from China between 2012-2018, primarily due to the infamous Belt and Road Initiative.
The visit is also indicative of deepening political ties with Africa. The continent currently holds 50-plus votes at the United Nations, which analysts from Reuters “could help advance Beijing’s efforts to reshape multilateral institutions and reinterpret global norms so that they are more in line with its interests, particularly on issues such as human rights”.
The prioritization of Africa in Chinese policy comes at the same time as the West withdraws. In December 2024, Chad terminated its defence cooperation agreement with Paris, initiating the withdrawal of the 1000 French troops stationed there.
The withdrawal marks another retreat from France from its former colonies in the Sahel region.
Chad is the last Sahel country to host French troops.
The US appears to have left the continent altogether with US President Joe Biden visiting sub-Saharan Africa only once during his presidency.
Ultimately, it appears African states are turning away from their former colonial ties and looking for a deeper political, economic, and security strategic relationship with China who have acted as a consistent player in the region for some time now.
Reuters
